Luke 1:39-57 (NRSV)
Read Luke 1:39-57 on biblegateway.com
Verse 39In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, Verse 40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. Verse 41When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit Verse 42and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Verse 43And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? Verse 44For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. Verse 45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord." Verse 46And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, Verse 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, Verse 48for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; Verse 49for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Verse 50His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. Verse 51He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. Verse 52He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; Verse 53he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. Verse 54He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, Verse 55according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever." Verse 56And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
Verse 57Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son.
Devotion
The Gospel of Luke begins with a visit from “on high” – the angel Gabriel announcing that Mary was God’s choice to birth the Messiah. Mary said “yes” to being the mother of the Son of God and then she went to the high country to visit Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist. They had much to talk about, both being pregnant of God.
“Time out … for time up … for time on” is a biblical teaching from Genesis to Revelation. We call it Sabbath time … we call it 12-step work … we call it group work … we call it spiritual friendship. Find yourself two or three people pregnant with God’s presence and let your “circumstances” and “inner-stances” leap with joy.
Prayer
Let us pray: Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay, close by me forever and bless me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in your holy care and fit us for heaven to live with you there. Amen.