Elizabeth’s heart had longed for a child and when God miraculously opened her womb in her old age, she rejoiced. In fact, it says her relatives and neighbors all rejoiced with her1. God blessed Elizabeth and Zachariah with a much longed for son, even when she was beyond the age of conceiving. He saw her pain, and in His time, provided a child. Elizabeth says He removed her reproach, the perceived curse of childlessness.
Not long after, Elizabeth’s young cousin, Mary, also became pregnant through miraculous means. This young woman, who pondered much in her heart, made the journey to see her older relative.
Why did Mary go to Elizabeth? Was it solely because she knew she was experiencing a miracle pregnancy too? In her time of uncertainty and turmoil, there must have been something safe and compassionate about Elizabeth for Mary to turn to her. Elizabeth was older and presumably wiser. She must have had a good reputation for there to be universal happiness on her good news. And maybe her heart had become etched with grace due to the pain she had carried at her barrenness.
Elizabeth’s immediate response to Mary was to bless her with scripture and erupt in rejoicing and praise. That is exactly what Mary needed and she followed with a song of praise of her own. Mary sang her Magnificat, not after the angels’ announcement, but after Elizabeth’s confirmation of what was happening.
Have you ever had something really great happen to you, maybe the best thing in your life, and then have someone near to you have something even bigger happen? How hard would that be to not let it overshadow your own joy. I think it is remarkable that these two godly women mutually rejoiced with one another in God’s goodness, not competing or comparing with one another but in true joy.
Elizabeth also had the incredible privilege to mentor someone who would be greater than her. Some would find that threatening, but for a true teacher, a true disciple maker, there can be no greater joy. They can share in the success of their successors. We are connected with one another in Christ by the Spirit of God. When one rejoices, we all do. When we help one succeed, we grow the Kingdom together.
God has been so gracious to me. And I want to be an Elizabeth – grateful for the miraculous kindness that He’s shown me and also a place of encouragement and blessing for those who will go far further than I can imagine.
And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Luke 1:41-44
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