The Baby Leaped in Her Womb

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.”

Luke 1:39-45

John, yet unborn, leaped inside Elizabeth when Mary came to visit her cousin. This unborn child would go before Christ Jesus to prepare a people for His coming, would “be great before the LORD,” would “be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.” And then he leaped inside the womb at the sound of Mary’s voice. God’s plan was orchestrated perfectly for He knows all being the Creator. John welcomed Jesus before either one was born, and long before John would be baptizing Jesus, announcing Jesus and His ministry on this earth. Surely, the mothers are blessed.

In verse 45, after John leaps, Elizabeth spoke of the blessedness of Mary who believed the angel from the Lord. Believed. Verse 38 of Luke 1…And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” She believed! And Elizabeth says to Mary in verse 43, “And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” “The mother of my Lord….” She believes. How powerful this is for me. Belief with a trust that is beyond human ability. Belief with a love that can truly only come from the Holy Spirit. Belief through being humble and gracious. How can we believe, believe like Mary and Elizabeth without the Holy Spirit in us? How? I think we cannot.

Throughout this passage, I find…

acknowledgement

joy/leaping

filled

believing/faith

trust

love

acceptance

humbleness

grace

How blessed I am to know Jesus by faith. How much stronger I can be as I draw near to Him. Oh, My precious LORD, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight. May I stand firm upon the foundation of You, my LORD and Saviour. Your cousin greeted You from the womb. He knew because the Holy Spirit was upon him. I know You. I know that the Holy Spirit lives in me. May I be attuned to Your Spirit so that I will recognize the greetings of those You send to me. May I believe as Mary and Elizabeth believed. Such trust and humility and grace. In the Holy Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.