When John Met Jesus

Luke 1:39–56

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
And Mary said,
               “My soul magnifies the Lord,
                              and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
               for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
                              For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
               for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
                              and holy is his name.
               And his mercy is for those who fear him
                              from generation to generation.
               He has shown strength with his arm;
                              he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
               he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
                              and exalted those of humble estate;
               he has filled the hungry with good things,
                              and the rich he has sent away empty.
               He has helped his servant Israel,
                              in remembrance of his mercy,
               as he spoke to our fathers,
                              to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

This time last Christmas, my wife and I knew we are expecting, and we found out right before Christmas that we were having a girl. Our family was quite ecstatic to say the least. We were excited as well. So when Mary greeted Elizabeth on their visit, we probably shouldn’t be surprised that there was joy. But we should be surprised at who expressed they joy.

The text tells us that John leaped for joy in Elizabeth’s womb. It speaks volumes. Yes, the unborn child is alive. Yes, the Holy Spirit can work even in the womb. Implications abound from these realities. But let’s not get caught up there. It’s not about John jumping for joy, but why he jumped for joy. Elizabeth articulates it well Even before Jesus is born, she acknowledges that He is her Lord. It is the presence of the Lord Jesus that brings the joy.

This leads Mary to break out in song celebrating God’s work. His upside-down work. He visits the lowly and passes over the proud. Think about it: Jesus wasn’t born among royalty in a palace. He was born to common citizens with no fancy lodging.

O what joy that God reaches the humble and the lowly, and o how this should drive us to humility this Christmas. Jesus came to us as sinners to bring us salvation. Hallelujah! Leap for joy!