Mary experienced an unexpected blessing as soon as she became pregnant. God gave her two godly people who encouraged, comforted and strengthened her at this critical time in her life. God even gave the older woman supernatural knowledge. Because as soon as she heard Mary’s voice, she knew. The mother of Israel’s Messiah stood before her.
A Background Check on John the Baptist’s Parents
Luke 1 and 2 covers Elizabeth and Zechariah’s full story, but one verse stands out for me. Here it is:
They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. (Luke 1:6 NASB)
High praise indeed from the God they worshipped. Remember, Christ hadn’t died on the cross yet. They became righteous in God’s eyes by their words and deeds, living faithfully before Him.
But the Jews who knew Elizabeth and Zechariah thought just the opposite. A wife who couldn’t give her husband children was assumed to be under God’s judgement. So people often treated barren women with contempt,
But then, in their old age, Jewish society’s view of this godly couple completely altered.
Three Signs of Divine Favor
Sign #1: The priests cast lots to see which man should enter the holy temple and burn incense before the Lord. God clearly chose Zechariah.
Sign #2: The angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah and spoke personally with him. When he came out of the temple he couldn’t speak, so all the Jews realized he’d seen a heavenly vision.
Sign #3: His wife Elizabeth became pregnant with a son supernaturally, after a lifetime of barrenness. Like Sarah, she conceived her baby as an old woman.
The Jews saw all children as a gift from God, but Elizabeth’s pregnancy? Miraculous. Divinely orchestrated. A sign of great favor.
65 All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him. (Luke 1:65-66 NIV)
Why Did Mary Stay Three Months?
I believe that Mary’s visit to Zechariah’s home was part of God’s plan.
First, the angel Gabriel told Mary the impossible had happened: her elderly relative Elizabeth was six months pregnant! She couldn’t have known this fact in any other way. Apparently the news hadn’t reached her village.
Secondly, when Mary crossed over the threshold and greeted her, Elizabeth immediately received supernatural knowledge that Mary would be the mother of the Jewish Messiah.
Why did Mary stay three months, until Elizabeth was ready to give birth to her baby? Because she needed their love and support. Engaged to Joseph, Mary would have been between 12 to 15 years old.
- The Holy Spirit made sure Zechariah and his wife knew Mary’s pregnancy was supernatural. So she could talk freely and celebrate her miracle with them.
- She and Zechariah each experienced a mind-blowing visit from the angel Gabriel.
- God entrusted the raising of John the Baptist to this godly couple.
- These two also prepared Mary for the emotional uproar she must soon face when she returned home and her pregnancy became evident.
Zechariah and Elizabeth’s home became Mary’s temporary “safe harbor.”
Concluding Thoughts
I believe Mary experienced laughter and tears, wise counsel and encouragement, gentle hugs and motherly advice. All three praised and worshipped God for choosing each one of them in this special way. Then Zechariah, Mary and Elizabeth released the unknown future into His hands.
These images came from Pixabay.com.
Resources:
Here is a Scriptural link to Elizabeth and Zechariah’s story.
