PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 1:39-45
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” (Luke 1:44)
As a Jesus follower, I am also called to bring Jesus into the world.
But this also seems impossible, who will believe what I have to say?
This moment between Mary and Elizabeth is moment.
A simple greeting (chara/grace or shalom/peace), not a profound message.
This is a reminder to me of how the Lord works through me.
“I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Corinthians 2:3-5)
Paul discovers, like Mary, how the Spirit of Jesus works through him.
This is encouraging to me as I think about my calling for the coming year.
It is not up to me, but to ‘Jesus in me” to bless the hearts of others.
I do not need to convince or pressure people, just grace and peace them.
As I surrender to the Jesus joy in me, he will bring joy through me!
PRAYER
Lord, use my simple words and actions of grace and peace to bring joy to the hearts of those I meet and greet.
Two special women who both share miracles. This passage encourages me so. Mary and Elizabeth – both trusting and faithful to God. Elizabeth’s blessing for Mary: “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” is affirming and prophetic. It could also be applied to her and Zechariah. Both women bear a special child – boys that changed the world! Both sons have special missions that lead to their death at the hands of men. God sent – but murdered by men because of sin. I too am called to believe like Mary and Elizabeth – God fulfills his promises – He makes salvation known – Lord I believe help me live a faithful believer’s life!
What effect do I have on other people?
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, she was over joyed and the Spirit gave her the words to say. She too was an instrument of His peace. Encouraging one another. One anothering.
As I greet talk to the Lord each morning as I start my new day by His grace, I need to be an instrument of His peace by the words and deeds I do this day. Others need to see Christ Jesus living in me. I need to be a stepping stone and not a stumbling block to others.
Help me daily Lord to let Your LightShine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!