Morning Moments

We rapidly move toward that moment in time when Jesus stepped down from the portals of glory to the planet of grief, and we must remember that six months prior to the angel's revelation to Mary there was the angel's revelation to Elizabeth regarding John the Baptist. God works in time according to His truth, and the truth was that both events had been prophesied many years before.

We don't know exactly when Mary about Elizabeth's conception or vice versa, but we do know that something had happened to both that beyond man's doing and understanding. Now read Luke 1:39-56 and consider:

III. Mary and Elizabeth Rejoice

How fitting that these two favored women, who according to Luke were related, to come together. Elizabeth was already six months pregnant, so it would have been much easier on Mary to travel at this point in time than for her "cousin." Besides, Elizabeth was in the "hill country, and the terrain would have certainly been harder to travel. God knows exactly what He is doing and Why and How:) Just watch Him DO IT! By the way, are you rejoicing at the miracle He has done in you?

A. The Journey “arose…Judah”

There are some things to ponder here. Mary probably was not "showing" at this time, but "casting pearl before swine" is a real danger in our walk with the Lord. There are two extremes for us who walk with the Lord: 1) to share little or nothing that God is doing in us, or 2) to share everything. Mary was very discerning. She knew in her heart who would understand and would rejoice with her at what the Lord had done. There may be many reason she went to visit Elizabeth, but all we really know is that she did. There are some "closet connections" and some "public proclamations."

B. The Joy “leaped…Blessed”

God gives confirmations in some pretty strange ways. When Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, John leaped in her womb. Aged Elizabeth knew that the God of miracles had brought the mother of the Messiah to her home. In all of our theological compartments we sometimes have a difficult time placing some truth. We tend to want God in a box but HE does not fit. This was prior to Pentecost, and these two women had conceived LIFE in their wombs and these human beings in the wombs were "filled with the Spirit." Now that should help us know that life begins at conception! DUH! Here is an embryo that leaped "jumped for joy" in the womb of his mom. Hallelujah!

C. The Jubilation “my soul…spirit…body”

What wonderful words of praise are found in what is know as the Magnificat. With the totality of her humanity, she worships her Deity. Again we can see how filled her heart was with Scripture as she quotes parts of 17 different passages. Notice what she said - My "soul" DOTH - that is present tense and is that seat of personality where we think and feel and chose MAGNIFY is an interesting aspect of true worship. It means that HE gets Bigger and I get smaller. John said, "I must decrease, but He must increase." Let's be clear in a day of celebrity worship, autograph signing, and name dropping: It is too easy to say, "I am of Paul, I am of Apollos, I am of Cephas, I am the only one right, for I am of Jesus." Get the picture? Men are men are men - not gods. If a man of God is a man of God, he wants no credit for God's use of him. He may, as Christ, have a reputation, but he doesn't make it for himself. Selah! He is not a self promoter. Remember, it's not the bush, but the fire in the bush and as Ian Thomas says, "Any old bush will do." We tend to prefer the bush to the fire sometimes. I am out of room so I will continue these thought tomorrow, God willing.