Our story continues with Mary quickly traveling to the hill country after her encounter with the angel Gabriel to stay with Elizabeth and Zechariah. Luke 1:39-45

³⁹ A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town ⁴⁰ where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴² Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. ⁴³ Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? ⁴⁴ When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. ⁴⁵ You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

I love this homey scene with the cousins embracing the mission God has given to each of them and encouraging one another. Elizabeth was much older than Mary, perhaps more like a grandmother by age. Her wisdom and joy in greeting Mary is apparent. She knows the child Mary is to bare is to be God’s child and her own child jumps in recognition of the spirit within Mary’s womb. Elizabeth acknowledges Mary place in God’s plan and what a favored relationship that will be. She also acknowledged as fact the blessing that comes through faith. I’m sure her wisdom and joy was an encouragement to young Mary.

What do we learn about God from this family scene? God desires that we be encouraged in our walk with Him. He places special people in our lives that will help us grow in our faith. God orchestrates events and people so that we are supported in our times of need. Mary needed the support of Elizabeth and Zachariah- their wisdom and faith as she prepared for her life as Josephs’ wife and Jesus’ mother. God also blesses us because of our faith in Him. His grace is beyond measure and open to all who believe.

Who do you have in your life right now that you can support and encourage? Perhaps you are a mentor or a friend that can lend support to someone spiritually, monetarily, physically or emotionally. I see Mary receiving all those from Elizabeth and Zachariah. Can you be that support for someone this week?

Linda