Scripture Reading:

Luke 1:39-45

Key Verse:

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David. (Luke 1:32)

 

What does this passage teach us?

We should observe in this passage—the benefit of fellowship and communion between believers. We read of a visit paid by Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. We are told in a striking manner how the hearts of both of these holy women were cheered, and their minds lifted up by this interview. Without this visit, Elizabeth might never have been so filled with the Holy Spirit, as we are here told she was; and Mary might never have uttered that song of praise which is now known all over the Church of Christ.

We should always regard communion with other believers as an eminent means of grace. It is a refreshing break in our journey along the narrow way, to exchange experience with our fellow travelers. It helps us insensibly, and it helps them—and so it is a mutual gain. It is the nearest approach that we can make on earth, to the joy of Heaven.

“As iron sharpens iron, so does the countenance of a man his friend.” We need reminding of this. The subject does not receive sufficient attention, and the souls of believers suffer in consequence. There are many who fear the Lord and think upon His name—and yet forget to speak often one to another (Malachi 3:16).

First let us seek the face of God—then let us seek the face of God’s friends. If we did this more, and were more careful about the company we keep—we would oftener know what it is to feel filled with the Holy Spirit.

We should observe in this passage—the clear spiritual knowledge which appears in the language of Elizabeth. She uses an expression about Mary which shows that she herself was deeply taught of God. She calls her, “the mother of my Lord.”

Those words “my Lord” are so familiar to our ears, that we miss the fullness of their meaning. At the time they were spoken, they implied far more than we might suppose. They were nothing less than a distinct declaration that the child who was to be born of Mary was the long promised Messiah—the “Lord” of whom David in spirit had prophesied—the Christ of God. Viewed in this light, the expression is a wonderful example of faith. It is a confession worthy to be placed by the side of that of Peter, when he said to Jesus, “You are the Christ—the Son of the living God!”

Let us remember the deep meaning of the words, “the Lord,” and beware of using them lightly and carelessly. Let us consider that they rightly apply to none but Him who was crucified for our sins on Calvary. Let the recollection of this fact invest the words with a holy reverence, and make us careful how we let them fall from our lips.

There are two texts connected with the expression which should often come to our minds. In one it is written, “No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (1 Corinthians 12:3). In the other it is written, “Every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:11).

Finally, we should observe in these verses—the high praise which Elizabeth bestows upon the grace of faith. She says, “Blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord!” We need not wonder that this holy woman should thus commend faith. No doubt she was well acquainted with the Old Testament Scriptures. She knew the great things that faith had done in the past. The whole history of God’s saints in every age—is but a record of men and women who obtained a good report by faith! The simple story of all from Abel downwards—is but a narrative of redeemed sinners who believed, and so were blessed. By faith they embraced promises. By faith they lived. By faith they walked. By faith they endured hardships. By faith they looked to an unseen Savior, and good things yet to come. By faith they battled with the world, the flesh, and the devil. By faith they overcame, and got safely home to Heaven.

Do we know anything of this precious faith? This, after all, is the question which concerns us. Do we know anything of the faith of God’s elect—the faith which is the working of God (Titus 1:2, Colossians 2:12)? Let us never rest until we know it by experience. Once knowing it, let us never cease to pray that our faith may grow exceedingly.

Better a thousand times be rich in faith—than rich in gold. Gold will be worthless in the eternal world to which we are all traveling. Faith will be owned in that world, before God the Father and the holy angels. When the great white throne is set, and the books are opened, when the dead are called from their graves, and receiving their final sentence—the value of saving faith will then be fully known! Men will learn then, if they never learned before, how true are the words, “Blessed are those who believed!”

Review Questions:

1. What is the theme of chapter 1?
2. Who did Mary visit in this passage?
3. How did Elizabeth show her faith in the way she described Mary?

Family Application Questions:

1. What kind of blessings have we experienced by being a part of Christ’s church? What sort of opportunities do we have each Lord’s Day (or throughout the week) to receive God’s blessings through fellowship with other Christians?
2. Why is being rich in faith so much more important than being rich in gold? What are the differences between these two kinds of riches?