Pastor Scott Andrews | July 30, 2023
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Luke 1:39-45
If you’ve been coming to Alliance for any period of time, you know we are committed to expositional preaching. That is, we study the Bible together, verse by verse, chapter by chapter, book by book. That allows us to do a couple of important things. First, it allows us to study all the Bible, not just the popular or easy verses. Second, it forces us to take passages in their context – looking at verses before and after to make sure our understanding of the text is correct. Context is critical, even indispensable to a proper understanding of the Bible.
Well, as you may know, the Gospel of Luke is the last and longest book of the NT we will have studied together – meaning we’ve covered the other 26 NT books – interestingly, in the last 26 years. Don’t think for a minute we’ll get through Luke in a year.
I say all that to say, I’ve personally never taught through the book of Luke before. To be sure, I’ve taught some passages in Luke – especially in the first couple of chapters – during special times like Christmas. For example, I’ve taught the annunciation before – that is, the text we looked at last week when Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her she was going to have son – not just any son – the Son of God. Great Christmas text.
I’ve taught through the first part of chapter 2 before – the birth of Christ. You know, the Charlie Brown Christmas story quoted by Linus: the decree by Caesar Augustus, Joseph and Mary’s trip to Bethlehem, no room in the inn, the birth of Jesus in a stable, laid in a manger, the announcement to and visit by lowly shepherds. I love that story – my kids will tell you I read it every Christmas morning – usually through tears. I’ve even mentioned Mary’s Magnificat, which we will cover next week. But again, I have never taught through the book before – that is, verse by verse, chapter by chapter. And so…as we are still only in Luke chapter 1, I must tell you, I am overwhelmed.
Overwhelmed by these very familiar stories as we look at them in their context as Luke intentionally recorded them. We’ve seen this over the past couple of weeks. Luke switches back and forth between the birth narratives of John the Baptist and Jesus. Quite intentionally – he’s weaving them together. We’ve noted lots of similarities, we’re supposed to, and lots of differences as Luke intends to highlight the supremacy and infinite greatness of Jesus. Let me sum up the similarities with this list this week:
- There were similar announcements to Zacharias and Mary about the miraculous births of their sons. They were also named by Gabriel, one would be John, the other, Jesus.
- Both of these sons are fulfillments of OT prophecies – John would be the forerunner of the Messiah; Jesus would be the Messiah.
- The similar, but different reactions to the announcements by Zacharias and Mary are recorded – both questioning the announcement. After all, both births would be incredible, if not miraculous. One would be to an older barren woman, well-advanced in years; one would be to a younger virgin woman, a young teenager. That’s all pretty incredible.
- And so, Zacharias’ question was one of doubt – how can I know for sure? Mary’s question was one of wonder, “how can this be, I’m a virgin?”
- Both Zacharias and Mary are then given signs corresponding to their respective questions: Zacharias would be mute until John was born, a sort of discipline for his unbelief. Conversely, Mary was told of barren Elizabeth’s pregnancy as evidence that nothing is impossible with God.
- Both mothers – Elizabeth and Mary – respond with surrender to the sovereign will and good power of God.
- Further, Mary responds with a song of praise; Zacharias does too, but not till he gets his voice back after the birth of his son.
There’s more, but we’ll stop with those. The point is, Luke is an incredible author with intentional purposes. Of course, his overall purpose, as stated, is so we can know with certainty the things we have been taught and believed. You’re struggling in your Christian faith? Read Luke – the life of Jesus again. But he weaves together the birth narratives in a way that should amaze us – even overwhelm us.
You see, again, I’ve taught a couple of these stories at Christmas, but missed the obvious connections that going verse by verse reveals. And over the last couple of weeks, especially this week, I have further been overwhelmed by a couple of women – I’m supposed to be – an older barren woman and a younger virgin woman. I’m supposed to be amazed at their faith, their trust, their willingness to submit to God even in the midst of some societally adverse circumstances. Frankly, they’ve proven to be both encouraging and convicting. So, let’s look at these two mothers – related by the way – and be overwhelmed by them and maybe even seek to be like them. Hmm, maybe we Protestants have thought to little of the young virgin, Mary.
We’ll read the text in a moment. But, till now, we’ve looked at these two women separately –now, they meet, and it is an incredible meeting. Two, in that society, overlooked, marginalized, humble, poor – I say this gently, two inconspicuous, non-spectacular women. You would never have known their names if it wasn’t for God’s gracious choice. You see, they were used by God to bear the prophesied forerunner of the Messiah and the Messiah Himself. Be amazed.
These are not likely the heroes we would have chosen. Martin Luther asked the question, why not Caiaphas’ daughter in the hallowed high priestly precincts of Jerusalem to be the mother of Jesus? She was well known – known to be beautiful and often opulently dressed – the daughter of wealth and religiosity. She would have made a much better mother of either one of these boys, right? Well, unless God’s purposes and grading scale are different than ours.
You see, the truth is, we can learn from these two, and even seek to emulate them, in a culture – like ours – who would hardly even notice them. I mean, come on – who makes the cover of People Magazine or episodes of the Bachelor and Bachelorette? Who has more followers on Instagram? These two? Come on. So, who do you want to be like? What glamour and wealth and notoriety impresses you? I will warn you – this story is overwhelming because of its unexpected simplicity and rather two-bit, heretofore, unknown characters. No Oscars for them. But maybe there should be. Let me give you the outline of the text:
- Mary’s Greeting (39-40)
- Elizabeth’s Response (41-45)
- Mary’s Praise, known as the Magnificat next week (46-56)
So let’s read the text. Now listen, ladies, I’ve said over and over that Luke makes much of women in a society that did not. They were seen as a lower caste, if you will. But in this text, Luke elevates them to a degree that causes all of us – women and men – to aspire to be like them. (Francine Rivers) I want you to be encouraged today. So let’s read it – Luke 1:39-45.
Did you see it – their strength, their humility, their surrender, their faith? It comes out clearly in the annunciation stories, and in Mary’s Magnificat – in other words, in context. Let’s start with Mary’s Greeting in the first couple of verses. Verse 39 begins, Now at this time – what time? Gabriel has just announced to Mary, a virgin, that she will conceive and give birth to the promised Messiah. He will be called the Son of the Most High, and He will sit forever on David’s throne. His kingdom will never end. A rather significant description of this son named Jesus to be born. But Mary was stuck on, you will conceive. Apparently, even though she was betrothed to Joseph and would soon be getting married, she seemed to understand this conception would take place immediately – before their marriage.
Wait a minute, she says, how can this be, since I am a virgin? Gabriel tells her, the Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Most High will overshadow you, for that reason the holy child will be called the Son of God. Remember, hers was not a question of unbelief, it was question of wonder – how? Remember also, she was a young girl, 13, 14 years of age.
Then Gabriel gives her a sign – she didn’t ask for one, he just graciously gave it to her, so again, she would know that nothing is impossible with God. Here’s the sign – your relative Elizabeth has conceived – you know, the old one who was called barren. And even now, she is in her sixth month. And so, Mary’s incredible response? “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” An incredible response of surrender and faith.
Think about what that meant. It is suggested one reason for the betrothal period was to prove the purity of the betrothed. They had gone through a ceremony to be pledged to one another. But the marriage ceremony and consummation of the union would be about a year later. They would live in their own homes – likely with their parents – at least Mary. The day would come – a celebration would take place, a parade where Mary would be escorted from her old home to her new home. It was something most looked forward to. While most marriages were arranged, by this time, the bride and the groom did have some say in the matter.
But the angel just told her – you’re going to conceive. Listen, we the readers know it won’t be the normal way – husband and wife coming together. But really, who would believe this outlandish tale? That which is conceived in you is by the Holy Spirit? Sure Mary. Even Joseph, who was likely in love with Mary, didn’t believe it. It was within OT law to have her stoned. He was considering divorcing her, and putting her away privately. The wedding ceremony? Never happen. Marital joy? Not likely – who would want an unfaithful bride. Her life, potentially ruined. Can you imagine the whisperings, the gossip, the judgment, the condemnation. Even later, when Jesus was an adult, the religious leaders referred to Him as illegitimate. We don’t know who the father is, after all, she never confessed. He never came forward to claim her. Well, unless it was Joseph. There would be shame and embarrassment, maybe even ostracization.
Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word – come what may. There is a sense in which we are expected to believe and surrender in the same way. We believe in the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus – and His promised return. You believe that old myth? Where is the promise of His coming? Ridicule, ostracization, perhaps even coming persecution.
Now at that time, seemingly immediately after the annunciation, Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah. We’re never told the name of the city, but the hill country is considered to be south of Jerusalem, making the trip from Nazareth up to a 70, 80-mile trip. For a young teenage girl. It appears she made the trip quickly, to see Elizabeth, who was advanced in years – past childbearing years, yet apparently in her sixth month. It was the sign Gabriel had given her, and so Mary goes to see. The trip would normally take 3-4 days.
Oh, and not only was she a young teenaged girl, she was a pregnant virgin. No wonder she was in a hurry. To see affirmation that what she had been told was true. She gets to the city and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. We don’t know what she said, simply a greeting – loud enough to be heard not only by the matron of the house, but by the child Elizabeth carried.
Which brings us to the second point, Elizabeth’s Response. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb – stop right there. The sixth-month-old baby in utero, verse 44 tells us, leapt for joy. One author writes:
“John was the greatest prophet of the old covenant—the one called to announce the coming of the Christ. Jesus was the Christ, the Lord of the new covenant. So when Mary met Elizabeth, the covenants connected…(and) there was a spontaneous outburst of exultant joy, as the old covenant greeted the new.” (Philip Ryken)
By that age, infants in the womb are moving about a bit. Swimming around, using arms and legs. When we were pregnant – do you like that – when we were pregnant? When Tana was pregnant with our first, I would get home from work late, climb into bed and start talking to Stephen, our oldest. I would start jostling her stomach, wake him up and we’d play a little. He’d stick out an appendage, sometime far enough for me to grab it. Then, after a few minutes, I’d say, good night, turn over and go to sleep.
In this case, John heard Mary’s voice – a voice he’d never heard – and leapt for joy. People argue about whether it was a conscious, knowledgeable leap. Did John know what he was doing? I’m not sure we can answer that question, and I don’t think it matters, but it does speak to his personhood. What we do know is that he was filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb. What we do know is that he was to be the forerunner – preparing the way, announcing the coming of the Messiah.
Here is his first announcement. He is the first to use a womb for a pulpit. His ministry began three months before his birth. He was already doing the ministry God prepared him to do – announcing the presence of the Christ, the Son of God. Don’t miss this either – Jesus was a three- or four- day-old fetus, and John, under the inspiration of the Spirit, knew who He was – in His personhood. And by the way, John’s ministry was one of joy. He leapt for joy. John 3:29-30, John is speaking after Jesus has come, after He has been baptized and entered His public ministry, and more people were following Jesus than John – these two cousins. They had turned out in droves to see John – but now, they were turning to Jesus. John, aren’t you a little jealous?
John says, “He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. He must increase, but I must decrease.” That’s what followers of Jesus do – point people to Jesus.
Something else interesting – a little aside. Full joy, John had, yet he never drank wine or liquor – but his was a life of joy. Seems like you can be happy, joy-filled, while walking with Christ. In fact, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, and peace. It’s why Paul said, don’t look to outside influences like alcohol to bring you joy – instead, be filled with the Spirit. That’s unparalleled joy. You see, there is always an expression of joy when people meet Jesus as the Christ. When people understand who Jesus is, they recognize Him as John did, what other response can there possible be, but joy? Looking for joy? You’ll find ultimate joy in Jesus – not what this world has to offer.
John was filled with the Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. Someone asked me – does that mean he was saved in utero? I don’t know – I kind of doubt it – it takes explicit faith in Jesus to be saved. But in a special way, John was filled and prepared for the ministry he was called to do. It’s a perfect picture of God enabling the called, not calling the enabled. Do you see that? In other words, if God calls you to some ministry, don’t worry about your meager abilities. John was a baby – yet filled by the Spirit, he could do what God called him to. Same with you. Oh, and by the way, if you read the gospels carefully, it seems his ministry lasted about six months. You can do much for the cause of Christ for as long or as little as God gives you, as long as you are faithful.
A second thing that happened when Elizabeth and baby John heard Mary’s voice was Elizabeth was now filled with the Spirit. When Christ arrived, John leapt for joy; when Christ arrived, Elizabeth shouted for joy. We find often in the Scripture people are filled with the Spirit for a particular task…Samson, Saul, David, etc.
In this particular case Elizabeth cried out with a loud voice – a phrase often used of something important or prophetic – “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” Wait – what? How did Elizabeth know? Clearly Mary is pregnant now – the Spirit has come upon her and the power of the Most High has overshadowed her. She has conceived, which means by the way, she made the long, arduous trip on foot while pregnant. But it’s only been a few days – she wouldn’t be showing for weeks. She’s a few days pregnant. How in the world did Elizabeth know? Remember, she was filled with the Holy Spirit. Meaning, not only was the pregnancy of Elizabeth confirmation to Mary that what Gabriel had said would come to pass – the exclamation of Elizabeth now confirms it as well. You see, it’s even possible Mary herself did not know at this point she was pregnant – but she does now.
Blessed is the fruit of your womb – a Hebraism to speak of pregnancy. By the way, the word for blessed is eulogeo, from which we get our word eulogy. It literally means, good words. Blessed, honored is the fruit of your womb – the child you are carrying. But also, blessed, same word, are you among women. It’s a superlative – you are most blessed among women. Again, as we talked about last week – this is not a blessing Mary has earned or produced. It is a blessing she has received – she is most blessed among all women, because she was chosen to bear the Messiah, the Son of God, producing salvation for those who believe. There could be no greater blessing than that. God brought the Messiah, born of a woman, Galatians 1 says.
Later, when Mary in her Magnificat says, from this time on all generations will count me as blessed, we see once again she was blessed, she was not the blessing or the source of blessing. She was the blessed one, the graced one, chosen to bear the Savior of the world. So last week when I suggested we as Protestants perhaps make too little of Mary – this is what I mean. While undeserved, she was still the one who gave birth to our Savior.
It is appropriate, like Elizabeth, that we honor these women for these greatest of honors. That doesn’t make Mary perfect or without need of a Savior, or the object of our prayers or the queen of heaven – all the things we talked about last week. But it is appropriate to honor her for the great way she was honored. Does that make sense? Listen, one day I will look her up in heaven – she won’t be sitting on a throne with a crown as the queen of heaven. But she will be blessed – the most blessed of women. And I think it appropriate to honor her as such. As we all are gathered around the throne – His throne – praising Him for His work toward us – you see, not only using someone as unassuming and undeserving as Mary, but saving someone as unassuming and undeserving as us.
I had intended to get through the Magnificat, but clearly I won’t. But look at two other things that Elizabeth says as we close this morning. Verse 43, “And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me?” Most agree that my Lord refers to Jesus at least as the promised Messiah – but many also suggest that Elizabeth said more than she knew. I’m not sure about that – she was filled with the Holy Spirit. But when she referred to Mary’s baby as my Lord, most agree it was ultimately a title of deity. She understood, under the filling of the Spirit, that this holy child, was God Himself in the flesh. You see, several times, through both Luke and Acts, Lord is used as a title of deity. Luke records Peter’s first sermon, which included:
34 “For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says:
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
35 Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’
36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Jesus is clearly, Lord and Christ, in fulfillment of OT prophecy in Psalm 110. And so, Elizabeth says, how is it that the mother of my Lord. Stop right there. Elizabeth was the older one – significantly older – well advanced in years. Mary was a young teenager. Not only that, Elizabeth was the wife of priest, of the line of Aaron. Yet, in this honor-shame culture, the older woman says to the younger one, how is it that you would come to me? Such humility.
I’ve said it – we can learn much from these stories. Elizabeth was herself now pregnant – years of shame because of her barrenness were washed away in a moment. She’s now expecting. Remember, she had said earlier, “He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men.” But such honor did not make her arrogant. She demonstrated great humility. Think of it, shouldn’t it have been the other way around? Shouldn’t Mary be showing honor to her aged, expecting relative? I’m quite confident she did. But Elizabeth is a picture of grace and humility – as Mary will be next week. How is it that you would come to me? She put herself, though higher socially, in the place of a servant.
Finally, the last thing she says is, verse 45, “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.” Whoa, what a contrast. Zacharias had not believed, Mary had. It’s why she had made the 4-day, 80-mile trip to see Elizabeth. Whatsapp or Facetime wouldn’t work. It would take a personal visit – at great personal cost – and a demonstration of great faith.
This word blessed is different than the one Elizabeth used earlier. It is makarios and speaks of an inward joy unaffected by outward circumstances. It speaks of God’s favor on a person. It’s the word Jesus later used in His beatitudes, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they, and they alone, will see the kingdom of God. You see further, the blessed, inward joy despite outward unbelief all around us, is for all those who believe that what our Lord has spoken will be fulfilled. One notes that Elizabeth’s former blessing was because of Mary’s motherhood and blessed child; this blessing is because of Mary’s faith. She believed and was blessed – as will we be as we unfaltering, faithfully believe.
What an example these two are to us today. One writes, “These two were to become innocent coconspirators, soul-sisters in the divine plot to save the lost.” (Hughes) They were women of great strength, faith, trust, humility, honor – the list goes on and on. They were the first to believe that God had come to redeem His people – and they believed. They are here, you see, to demonstrate faith and faithfulness to us – in the midst of a culture of doubt and denial. It’s an encouragement for us to believe, even when there is great cost in doing so; when it is remarkable, even unbelievable.