Mary Visits Elisabeth

VI. MARY VISITS ELISABETH (Luke 1:39-56)

Victor M. Eskew

INTRODUCTION

A. God had provided Mary with a sign. The angel had informed her of the pregnancy of her cousin Elisabeth.

B. Mary immediately plans a trip to Zacharias’ home. This would be a safe haven for her during the early months of her pregnancy.

1. Mary would see the evidence of Elisabeth’s pregnancy.

2. Elisabeth would be a positive influence on Mary’s faith in these early days.

3. Mary would also be a support to Elisabeth as she completed the last months of her pregnancy.

C. Outline:

I. THE HASTY JOURNEY BY MARY (Luke 1:39-40)

A. The Address (Luke 1:39-40a)

B. The Address (Luke 1:40b)

II. THE PRAISE BY ELIZABETH (Luke 1:41-45)

A. The Prophet (Luke 1:41)

B. The Praise (Luke 1:42-44)

c. The Promise (Luke 1:45)

III. THE SONG OF MARY (Luke 1:46-55)

A. Adoration of God (Luke 1:46-49)

B. Irony of God (Luke 1:50-53)

C. Remembrance by God (Luke 1:54-55)

IV. THE DEPARTURE OF MARY (Luke 1:56)

A. The Period of Time (Luke 1:56a).

B. The Parting to Her Home (Luke 1:56b)

I. MARY’S HASTY JOURNEY (Luke 1:39-40)

A. The Address (Luke 1:49-40a)

And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

and entered into the house of Zacharias…

1. Mary went “with haste” to the house of Zacharias. Most believe that it would have been within a matter of days.

2. The hill county…into a city of Judah.

a. We do not know the exact town to which she traveled.

b. Judah’s hill country was some 50-70 miles south of Nazareth.

c. It would have been a 3 to 4 day journey. NOTE: Mary may have taken the long route around the land of Samaria.

3. “And entered into the house of Zacharias…”

B. The Address (Luke 1:40b).

…and saluted Elisabeth.

1. Salute (782).

a. Strong: to enfold with the arms, salute

b. Thayer: to draw one’s self, greet, to receive joyfully

2. It may have been a long time since the two saw each other. This is a meeting between an older woman and a very young woman.

II. ELISABETH’S PRAISE (Luke 1:41-45)

A. The Prophet (Luke 1:41)

And it came to pass, that , when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb…

1. In Luke 1:44 Elisabeth notes that the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

2. This jump was not just a normal kick of a baby. Elisabeth seemed to infer this due to its connection with Mary’s salutation.

3. Remember: John’s function was to prepare the way of the Lord (Isa. 40:3).

B. The Praise (Luke 1:41b-44)

...and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: and she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among woman, and blessed it the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

1. To be filled with the Holy Ghost often meant to be inspired to speak a message of God as given by the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:31).

2. Immediately Elisabeth spoke a prophetic message:

a. Blessing to Mary

1) This echoed the angel’s words.

2) How comforting for Mary to see a pregnant Elisabeth and to hear the repetition of the angelic announcement.

b. Blessing upon the child in Mary’s womb

c. Her honor in the mother of her Lord visiting her.

1) Note: Elisabeth used the words “my Lord.”

2) Elisabeth recognized the Lordship of Jesus in utero” (Moore, 43).

d. She relates to Mary that the babe leaped in her womb at Mary’s salutation.

C. The Promise (Luke 1:45)

And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

1. Elisabeth acknowledged Mary’s belief. Could it have been that she remembered her own husband’s unbelief when told that he would have a son?

2. Elisabeth confirmed that the things which had been told Mary would come to pass.

III. THE SONG OF MARY (Luke 1:46-55)

A. Introduction

1. This section of scripture has been named, “The Magnificant,” which is the Latin word for “magnify.”

2. It is most similar to Hannah’s prayer (I Sam. 2:1-10).

3. It alludes to a great number of OT phrases and ideas.

4. The hymn is divided into three sections.

B. The Adoration of God (Luke 1:46-49)

1. The Praise (Luke 1:46-47)

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.

a. We see an example of Hebrew parallelism.

My soul doth magnify the Lord

My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior

b. Magnify (3170):

1) Strong: to make (or declare) great…extol

2) Thayer: to make great, to esteem highly, to extol, laude, celebrate

c. Hath rejoiced (21):

1) Strong: to jump for joy…translated as be (exceeding) glad, with exceeding joy

2) Thayer: to exult, rejoice exceedingly

d. God is the object of her praise, and He is the reason for her joy.

e. it is interesting that Mary describes God as her Savior.

1) The Catholic and Orthodox teaching is that Mary was born without sin (Immaculate Conception) and that the grace of God preserved her from any actual sin during her life (religionfacts.com).

2) If she were sinless, why did she need a Savior?

2. The Cause of her Praise (Luke 1:48-49)

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from hence forth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things: and holy is his name.

a. Mary seems to be completely aware of the significance of her present condition. She is going to give birth to the Son of God, the Messiah.

b. God singled her out. She was a woman married to a carpenter who resided in the small town of Nazareth.

c. She has been called “blessed” three times thus far in the narrative (Luke 1:28, 42, 45). This would continue throughout “all generations.” NOTE: This does not mean that Mary should be worshiped. Rather we should bestow the more worship on God, from whence these blessings flow (James 1:17).

d. God had done “great things” to Mary. These acts proved that His name is “holy.” He is a God that is set apart from all else.

C. The Irony of God (Luke 1:50-53)

And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

1. The intent of the song at this point involves the way God reverses the states of men.

a. Matthew 19:30

But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

b. I Peter 5:5b-6

…for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.

c. McGarvey: “These expressions are hyperboles for the disappoint-ment of the proud, the princely and the rich, in whose families the Messiah was expected. God has pass these by, and exalted a lowly one” (19).

2. The fear of the Lord is the key on man’s part (Luke 1:52). God’s strength is the key on the divine side (Luke 1:51a).

3. The contrasts:

God’s Favor God’s Rejection

1. Mercy upon them that fear him 1. Scattered the proud

2. Exalted them of low degree 2. Put down the mighty

3. Filled the hungry 3. Rich sent away empty

D. Remembrance by God (Luke 1:54-55)

He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; as he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever.

1. God’s help (Luke 1:54)

a. Mary’s pregnancy was designed to help Israel and bring His mercy upon her.

b. God’s desire was not to cast Israel off. He desired to save Israel through His Son Jesus Christ.

1) The New Covenant was to be made with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah (Heb. 8:8).

2) The gospel was to be preached to the Jews first (Rom. 1:16).

3) The Great Commission began in Jerusalem and Judea (Acts 1:8).

2. God’s honor (Luke 1:55)

a. In time past, God had made promises to the fathers of Israel, especially to Abraham and his seed.

1) Abraham (Gen. 22:18)

And in thy seed shall all nations of the earth be blessed…

2) Isaac (Gen. 26:4)

…and in thy seed shall all nations of the earth be blessed.

3) Jacob (Gen. 28:14)

…and in thee and in thy seed shall all families of the earth be blessed.

b. The seed promise was fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:16).

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

IV. THE DEPARTURE OF MARY (Luke 1:56)

And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

A. The Period of Time (Luke 1:56a)

1. Mary arrived at Elisabeth’s home when she was six months pregnant.

2. She was with her about three months. This would put her at the normal time of delivery.

3. Question: Did Mary stay until after John’s birth, or, did she leave before he was born?

B. The Parting of Mary (Luke 1:56b).

1. Mary had much to face when she returned home.

2. Soon Joseph would become aware of her pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

A. For three months only two women and one deaf and dumb man knew of Mary’s condition.

B. Mary’s faith was strengthened during these three months. The words of Gabriel had proven to be true.

C. John was about to be born, and Jesus’ birth would follow closely thereafter.