Mary's Visit to Elizabeth: A Joy Filled Encounter

Luke 1:39-45

L/W—We learned of the virgin birth, Mary’s submissive heart, and the purpose in Christ becoming the Incarnate Word of God

T/W—We learn of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth and how God, through the working of His Holy Spirit prompted praise/rejoicing and joy in the hearst of Elizabeth and JTB

(READ Luke 1:39-45)

In the whole of Luke’s first chapter we see the, “stage being set,” for the birth of Jesus Christ. Amidst the doctrines and theology, amidst the culture and context in all that is transpiring, we are blessed with recordings such as these—Mary visit with Elizabeth---to remind us of the hope, love, joy, and promises we find in God sending His only begotten Son to this world.

Today’s message details the visit b/t Mary and Elizabeth, two cousins each given a special and unique promise. One, barren and of old age, was given a promise of bearing a son, JTB, who would be the forerunner of the Messiah. The other, betrothed and living in an unassuming town full of prejudice and bias, yet faithful and godly, a young women of lowliness and meekness, given a promise of bearing God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

Today’s theme—if you will—is joy. Between today’s message and Mary’s song (next week), our focus will be on three people’s rejoicing, three people’s joy over the coming of the Messiah---today Elizabeth and and unborn JTB and next week the joy in Mary’s heart.

For Mary and Elizabeth there joy was certainly overflowing.

Elizabeth was sure to be experiencing joy—in more than one way

(FIRST) Elizabeth, old and once barren—found her womb occupied with a child she never thought possible

(SECOND) Elizabeth’s child was the promised forerunner of the Messiah—the much awaited and anticipated Savior of the World

(THIRD) Elizabeth cousin, Mary, was with child and not just any child, but the promised Savior of the world

Mary as we study more next week, was sure to be experiencing joy—in more than one way

(FIRST) Mary, betrothed, was now also with child, and not just any child, this is

Jesus (v.31)

The Son of the Highest (v.32)

The Son of David (v.32)

The Ruler over the house of Jacob forever (v.33)

The Ruler whose kingdom has no end (v.33)

The One born of the Holy Spirit (v.35)

The Son of God Himself (v.35)

(SECOND) Mary’s was sure to know of Elizabeth’s heartache in being barren; so she would certainly have overflowed with joy over Elizabeth’s pregnancy, especially pregnant with the child who would preach a baptism of repentance in preparation for the coming of the Lord, the Lamb who would take away the sins of the world.

As we unpack today’s message, my prayer is that we will be reminded of God’s divenly given attribute of joy. Man, today can have joy, b/c God did in fact send His Son, to make a way for reconciliation, for redemption, and for restoration—He made a way for man to be saved, freed from the bonds/wages of sin—He made a way for man to live with Him for eternity…Jesus Christ, the “way, the truth, and the life...”

I. (v.39-42) Elizabeth visited by Mary

Luke 1:39–42 “Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”

(CONTEXT)

The trip itself:

Research tell us the distance b/t Nazareth and Juda (where Zacharias and Elizabeth lived) was about 40 miles—not a “short trip” in those days)

Mary traveled there with haste (Grk “spoudes”)—meaning speed, diligence, care, earnestness, and zeal

Mary went with a purpose

Mary went with an earnestness—not on casual friendly visit

Mary wen with a specific reason—so she and Elizabeth could encourage and share with one another

Their situations were similar, b/c God has acted upon their bodies in a miraculous way

Elizabeth’s womb was made alive for JTB

Mary’s womb has conceived as a virgin

Mary, in particular, stood to be encouraged b/c Elizabeth was 6 months along and pregnancy was “showing signs”

Elizabeth, herself, stood to be encouraged b/c though Mary knew of her conception, she knew not of hers—not yet

The initial greeting

Mary entered and greeted Elizabeth and that very moment Elizabeth’s Holy Spirit inspired greeting began (note 3 things)

The babe leaped in Elizabeth’s womb

Elizabeth was instantly, “filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Elizabeth spoke in a loud voice

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION—You and Me)—Remember the “theme” of this passage—JOY—there should be joy in the message of Jesus Christ:

In asmuch as Mary and Elizabeth were rejoicing over God’s gracious and miraculous hand in giving them children—the joy, I believe, came in the understanding and realization of just Who the child Mary was carrying was and was to become…the Savior of the World—the Promised Messiah

Think about the moment in your own life, maybe the moment you are in right now--when you’ve come to the end of yourself and the end of your rope; when hopelessness seems overwhelming, when you’ve been drowning in doubt, when despair has left you desperate, when the shame of your sin has left you alone and wandering and know this:

The words and promises

Spoken to Adam and Eve in the garden

Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.””

Spoken to Abraham (as Paul states in Galatians)

Galatians 3:16 “Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ.”

Spoken through the prophet Isaiah

Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”

Isaiah 9:6–7 “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

Isaiah 11:10 ““And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious.””

Isaiah 53:4–5 “Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”

Spoken to Mary, which were spoken to Elizabeth

Luke 1:31–33 “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.””

Spoken to the shepherds

Luke 2:10–11“Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Spoken by JTB:

John 1:29 “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

Are just as true for you as they were for them; there was a child

A child, born of a virgin, born in a lowly manger, who is the Son of God Himself,

A child, who would grow to be a man, who would preach a message that would turn the world upside down

A child, who would grow to be a man, who would willingly endure a cross meant for you, despise the shame that was set for you, who would:

Take all your misery and meet it with mercy

Take all your guilt and meet it with grace

Take all your despair, and meet it with the depth of His love

Take all your shame and cover it with compassion

Take all of your sin and cleanse it with His blood

There was a child, who is the God-man, who is God’s only begotten Son who,

In His grace/mercy/love who,

Went to a cross you should have bore

Went to a grave you should have been buried in

Who, in the same grace/mercy/love

Didn’t stay on the cross and

Didn’t stay dead in a grave

There is Someone—who is alive and well, who sits on a throne at the right hand of the Father—who’s death, burial, and resurrection accomplished what no one could accomplish for themselves, redemption and reconciliation, salvation and deliverance, atonement and the washing of sins---the message of Jesus Christ, in asmuch as was believed upon from the witnesses who have gone before us—is just as much alive and active today as it was 2000 years ago!

II. (v.42) Elizabeth unique announcement/proclamation about Mary and her child

Luke 1:42 “Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”

(CONTEXT) We can learn three things in the uniqueness of Elizabeth’s proclamation here:

Her very first act towards Christ was a declaration of praise (one of rejoicing—one of joy). Why?

Think of this: Outside of Joseph—Elizabeth was the first person to know about the birth of Christ

Mary was blessed, but she was blessed b/c “the fruit of her womb,” was great.

The spirit of Elizabeth was one of sweet humility/meekness/and love. Think of the cultural and societal dynamic here:

Mary, was poor/lowly/unrecognized by the world, yet was chosen by God to serve in a more special way

Elizabeth was of higher social class and more honorable, being the wife of a priest.

By worldly/cultural standards, Elizabeth would have been the more obvious choice, but God does not operate according to the standards of men—He operates out of His own will and divine purpose:

Still, Elizabeth could have felt slighted/envious/jealous, instead however:

There is no mention of envy or jealousy in Elizabeth

There is no mention of hurt or withdrawal in Elizabeth

There IS mention of her rejoicing over Mary’s news

Philippians 2:3–4 “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION—You and ME)

At the news/truth/reality/of Jesus Christ—our first response must echo Elizabeth’s---that of

Rejoicing/praising/and worship

Adoration/reverence/and devotion

Note the context of the blessing:

(Warren Wiersbe)— “Note that she (Elizabeth) did not say that Mary was blessed above women but among women, and certainly this is true. While we don’t want to ascribe to Mary that which only belongs to God, neither do we want to minimize her place in the plan of God.”

What we see in Elizabeth’s proclamation (which we will discuss more in detail shortly) is an emphasis on Mary’s faith

III. (v.43-44) Elizabeth proclaims Mary’s child—is her Lord

Luke 1:43–44“But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.”

(CONTEXT)—Note the confession Elizabeth—at Mary’s greeting--is accomplished through a quickening moment of the Holy Spirit (go back to verse 41 “And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” )

We must pay close attention to Elizabeth’s use of the word Lord: (GRK) “kurios.”

“Kurios is used some 748 times in the Bible; of those 748, 667 times it is refering to “the Lord”

The thought behind the word is “supremacy” and “authority.” It’s important we understand the context surrounding the use of the word, as it can be used in a number of different ways:

Used as a polite title, “Sir” as in Matthew 27:63

“saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’”

It can mean “master,” or “owner” as in Matthew 10:24

““A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.”

It can refer to husbands as in 1 Peter 3:6

“as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.”

It can even refer to idols, as Paul uses it in 1 Corinthians 8:5

“For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords),”

It can also mean the Lord (Yahweh or Jehovah)—and this is used many times in Scripture

(A FEW THINGS TO SEE THROUGH ELIZABETH’S CONFESSION)

First: Elizabeth’s confession (“my Lord”) was not of/to Mary—rather it was to the Child Mary bore:

Note John MacArthur: “This expression is not in praise of Mary, but in praise of the Child whom she bore. It was a profound epxression of Elizabeth’s confidence that Mary’s Child would be the long-hoped for Messiah—the one whom even David called Lord."

Elizabeth’s confession here is that the babe in Mary’s womb

Was Jehovah

Was Yahweh

Was the Redeeemer and Savior which the O/T prophets had foretold of

Second-At her confession, Elizabeth was given an unmistakeable sign-again via a quickening moment of the Holy Spirit

Not only did Elizabeth’s heart leap for joy, her child lept (more than usual) in her womb:

“The babe leaped in my womb for joy...”

Thirdly—Elizabeth’s confession was sure to encourage and uplift Mary

Mary needed assurance:

God led her to where she could find it. How?

Mary’s obedience:

In Mary’s obedience to go where God led, God was able to encourage her through Elizabeth

Fourthy—Elizabeth’s confession—by all accounts—was an extremely personal thing

Based on Scripture, Elizabeth apparently never share this with her son.

JTB did not know Jesus was the Messiah until Jesus’ baptism

John 1:31–34 “I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.” And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.””

JTB had to discover and confess Christ just as anyone else does

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION)

Our confession/profession must be directed to one Person and one Person only—The Lord Jesus Christ

As Savior--It is the recognition that we are sinners in need of a Savior—and Jesus Christ is that Savior

Christ alone is our Intercessor

Romans 8:34 “Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.”

Hebrews 7:25 “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

Christ alone in our Mediator

1 Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,”

Christ alone is the forgiver of sins

Hebrews 9:14–15 “how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”

As Lord---this is the recognition of our need to surrender every ASPECT of our lives to every truth of who HE is

Luke 9:23–24 “Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.”

Luke 9:59–62 “Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.””

Luke 18:22 “So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.””

Lord-(con’t):

As believers, there will continue to be the need to surrender things to Him

Temptations/enticements will continue to encroach upon the believer—thereby testing the believer’s day-by-day surrender—we must know and be diligent to lay these temptations/enticements down, surrendering them to the power of the cross

Fears/worries/anxieties will continue to strike at the believer-- testing the believer’s faith

Deceits/deceptions/doubts will present themselves in the believer’s life—testing the believer’s trust

As believers then, we must take heed to be daily diligent and daily devoted to surrending our lives, surrendering our sanctification to the Lordship of Jesus Christ

Our confession/profession of Jesus Christ sees God move in our hearts

In salvation a person is indwelt with the Holy Spirit—and a divinely given expression/feeling of joy in the weightlessness of being unshackled and unburdened from sins consumes their souls

In sanctification, as we yield more and more to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives, the more

We are drawn closer to Christ:

In character and image

In strength and in faith

Our confession/profession should be encouragement to others as others’ should be to us

Christ came not to condemn the word, but to save the world (John 3:17) and when the message of Christ is shared from personal experience, in how He changed our hearts

It’s a testimony and witness to the lost, and

It’s encouragement to other believers

Our confession/profession MUST be personal

There is no Biblical doctrine which preaches/teaches “universalism”

There is no Biblical doctrine which preaches baptism as salvation

There is no Biblical doctrine which preaches chatechism/confirmations bring salvation

There is no Biblical doctrine which preaches b/c mom and dad believe—you believe

There is not one instance where God saves someone absent THEIR OWN profession and confession of faith!

Not Abraham

Not Moses

Not Noah

Not Daniel

Not David

Not Solomon

Not MARY

Not JTB

Not any of the disciples

Not Paul

Each and every person must come to the point where they realize

Their sin has left them

Condemned and under wrath

Burdened and shackeled

At odds and an enemy with God

Their sin has left them in need of a Savior

A Savior THEY must surrender to

A Saviror THEY must profess faith in

A Savior THEY must acknowledge

Their sin

IV. (v.45) Elizabeth proclaimed Mary’s faith would receive the promise

Luke 1:45 “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.””

(CONTEXT) Two things here:

Mary has been blessed by believers, b/c

One—she believed the Word of God that was sent to her (Luke 1:38), unlike Zacharias’ unbelief (Luke 1:20)

Two—she was related to Christ is a very, very special and unique way

The result of Mary’s faith and belief?

She was to see God perform what He promised—those things which she was told by Gabriel

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION—You and Me)

The same two facts are essential for any person, should they wish to be blessed by God

We must believe the Word of God, which was sent to us

Luke 11:28 “But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!””

John 14:23 “Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”

John 15:7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”

1 Thessalonians 2:13 “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.”

Mark 8:38 “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.””

We must become related to Christ through adoption—we must become adopted children of God

Galatians 4:4–6 “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!””

Closing (Worship)

There is a lot of denominational discussions surrounding Mary. However, denominations cannot trump doctrine. And while we can spend more time on drawing out the doctrine, we must remember that today’s message is about joy We can find joy in reading about Mary:  we can find joy in knowing that she was a young woman, devoted to follow God, to following His Word, being a servant of God, and as a person who found joy in experiencing God’s grace towards her:

Ultimately, however, we find joy in Jesus!

First we find joy in Him because of salvation, that in the burdens of sin that were lifted and cleansed by His blood, our hearts overflow with unspeakable joy, knowing our debt has been paid. Further, we find joy in salvation, knowing there is an empty tomb which hasassured and promised us eternal life with him .

There is also joy in sanctification. When believers come to truly understand the purpose of sanctification, what it rewards, and how it refines us, we can as James says, James 1:2–4 “...count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Elizabeth’s confession was looking ahead to the promise of the Messiah who was to be born of Mary. The benefit for us today is that we can profess and confess the Messiah, who came, who died, who was buried, who rose again, and who now sits at the right hand of the father today, making intercession for us. —Maybe you need this joy in salvation—maybe you’ve been searching for joy and what you’re turning to obtain it, has and is leaving you parched…if this is you may I invite you to the altar to surrender to the One whose life giving water never runs dry, and will never leave you parched. —Maybe you, as a believer, have lost the joy of salvation b/c of wayward living, burdens and circumstances.  May I invite you to the altar as well, that you might surrender the things which you’ve allows to become lord rather than Christ