There are some events which turn our life upside down. One minute everything is normal. Our routine is the same as all the previous days. Then, suddenly something happens and from that moment our life will never be the same again. How we respond to such life-changing events displays our inner character. Some people become angry and begin to rail against heaven for upsetting their life. Others weep and curse their fate. Some give into despair. Still others humbly accept what God brings and seek the good in it. They praise God even though, from a human point of view, their life has just been devastated.
Such a life-changing event came to Mary. One moment she was going about the normal routine of her day. Perhaps she was mending clothes. Perhaps she was cleaning the house. Perhaps she was getting ready to go to the market to buy food for the next meal. Perhaps she was thinking about and making preparations for her coming marriage to Joseph. But then, an angel interrupted her and informed her that even though she was a virgin she would bear a son through the power of the Holy Spirit. Never again would Mary’s life be the same. In that moment she lost her reputation in the village as a pure and holy woman, for who would believe her when she said that she had not slept with a man? That moment put her entire future at risk, for why would Joseph still wish to marry her? What could she do? Who could she even talk to without them thinking that she was lying or demented?
Mary had only one hint about what to to. The angel told her that her aged relative, Elizabeth, who had been barren all her life was also going to have a child. In chapter 1, verses 39 through 56 of his inspired Gospel, Luke tells us what Mary did. “Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah, and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She called out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy! Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!” Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord. My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, for he has looked at the humble state of his servant. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed. For he who is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name. His mercy is for generations and generations on those who fear him. He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down princes from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty. He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever.” Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.”
Mary may have wondered what kind of reception she would face at Zechariah and Elizabeth’s home. Would they receive her kindly or would they view her with suspicion and refuse to believe her account of what happened? If Mary was apprehensive about how she would be received, Elizabeth immediately put her fears to rest. Filled with the Holy Spirit Elizabeth joyously greeted Mary and called her blessed. It is important to note that Elizabeth not only called Mary blessed because she would give birth to the Lord, but also because Mary believed.
Elizabeth’s words express an important principle. There is a link between blessing and belief. Many times we cut ourselves off from the blessings God wants to give us because we neither believe what He has said to us nor have we obeyed what He has asked us to do. Scripture says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV) Mary not only believed God’s message to her, she also accepted it – therefore she was blessed.
No doubt Elizabeth’s greeting was a great comfort and encouragement to Mary. Upon hearing it she lifted her voice in praise. What Mary said is worth studying in detail but we will take the time to briefly mention only a few things.
She said, “…the Mighty One has done great things for me…” (Luke 1:49). Many people in Mary’s circumstances would have blamed God and said that He had ruined their life. But Mary could look beyond the cruel gossip and the sneers of her neighbors. She could look beyond shame and abuse the village would heap on her. She could even look beyond the hurt and disappointment of those who loved her yet couldn’t believe the truth about how she came to be with child. She knew that God had chosen her out of all women to be the mother of the Messiah. She knew that in spite of whatever the people of Nazareth accused her of, future generations would call her blessed. Today we do not even know the names of any of the other residents of Nazareth, but people all over the world hold Mary in the highest honor and respect. Can we, like Mary, look beyond our current circumstances to see how God is blessing us?
Mary also said, “He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.” (Luke 1:52) Many people have the idea that God only works through the rich and powerful. They think they are too insignificant to have a place in God’s plan. But Mary knew that God can use anyone who is humble and is willing to obey. Many years later the Apostle Paul wrote, “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” (1 Corinthians 1:26-29 NIV) Like Mary are we willing to let God use us regardless of our earthy status?
Another thing Mary said is, “He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.” (Luke 1:54-55) From this we see that Mary was fully aware that through her God was fulfilling the covenant promises He had made to Abraham. Are we aware of how God is working in us to fulfill His promises?
Mary stayed with Elizabeth until close to the time for Elizabeth’s child to be born. If you would like to know more about John the Baptist’s birth, be sure to listen to our next program.