A Visit From Mary

1. A Visit From Mary Luke 1:39-56 All verses are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted

2. “into the hill country with haste” (v. 39) • Why is Mary going with haste to the hill country? • Because of what she just learned (1:26-38) • Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth (26) • God recognizes the cities men create and the names given to them • God’s choices are not always esteemed by man (Jn. 1:45, 46; 1 Cor. 1:27-29) • To a virgin betrothed to a man (27) • God knows what people are (i.e., a virgin) and recognizes their status and relationship to others (i.e., betrothed) • He knows the purity of His people…no fooling God • “The virgin’s name was Mary” • “Mary” is of Hebrew origin “Miriam”

3. “into the hill country with haste” (v. 39) • Gabriel’s message to Mary (28-37) • Favored one…blessed are you among women (v. 28) • Not blessed because of her social status, wealth, locality, relatives, etc. • but because… • “the Lord is with you” (28) • “have found favor with God” (v. 30) • will “bring forth a Son” (31) • “He will be great” (32) • “Will be called the Son of the Highest” (32; cf. 37, note contrast of Gen. 6:1ff) • Will be given “the throne of His father David” (32) • “He will reign forever” (33) • “His kingdom there will be no end” (33) • Elizabeth, your relative also conceived a son (v. 36) • This is why she left with haste to visit Elizabeth!

4. “HOW CAN THIS BE?” • Mary’s response (34) • Though blessed and favored, she still became confused • God’s ways can be “past finding out” • “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Rom. 11:33) • What is impossible with us is very possible with God • "For with God nothing will be impossible" (v. 37)

5. “and entered the house” (v. 40) • Who are Zacharias and Elizabeth? • Lived during the days of Herod the Great (5) • Zacharias was a priest of the division of Abijah (5) • “David divided the priests into twenty-four bodies or courses, each course serving in rotation one week in the temple (1Ch 24:3-19). Of these courses that of Abijah was the eighth” (J. W. McGarvey, Fourfold Gospel, p. 9) • Aaron’s wife was Elizabeth’s ancestress (5) • Named after, “Elisheba” (Hebrew) • “Aaron took to himself Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Nahshon, as wife; and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar” (Ex. 6:23) From Judah ROYAL(Num. 1:7; 2:3; Mat. 1:4) From Levi PRIESTLY ELIZABETH

6. Zacharias & Elizabeth • They were both righteous before God (6) • By walking in all the commandments of God • Childless (v. 7) • Elizabeth was barren • “The births of Isaac, (Ge 17:17 21:2) Samson, (Jud 13:2,24) Samuel (1Sa 1:2,5,20) and the Baptist were all contrary to nature, and were faint foreshadowings of the greater miracle which took place in the birth of our Lord” (J. W. McGarvey, Fourfold Gospel, p. 9) • Well advanced in age (v. 7)

7. Zacharias & Elizabeth • Became the parents of John (the Baptist, 8-17), as announced by Gabriel* • (*an angel who’s name means, hero, warrior of God. Of Hebrew origin which emphasizes God-like strength and great “ability to fight”) • Zacharias became mute because of disbelief of what this great messenger spoke (18-20) • What about us? • Elizabeth felt compelled to hide for five months (24, 25) • “Probably through mingled feelings of modesty, humility, devotion, and joy” (ibid. p. 13, 14). • “till the event was put beyond doubt and became apparent” (JFB) • Mary visits her in the sixth month when she spoke with Gabriel

8. When Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary (41-45) • The “babe” leaped in the womb (41) • While “in the womb”, John was “a babe” • Same classification as born infants • note Gk., brefov (brephos)cf. Lk. 2:12, 16; 18:15; 2 Tim. 3:15 • newborn babes (1 Pet. 2:2) • unborn babes (Lk. 1:41) • whether newborn or unborn they are all still babes • whether newborn or unborn they are fully human • even before formed in the womb God knows (cf. Jer. 1:5)

9. When Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary (41-45) • Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit (41) • probably given the ability to know and utter prophecy • blessed are you among women… (42) • similar to what Gabriel said to Mary(28) • blessed is the fruit of your womb (42) • its an honor to be a mother • highest honor to be the mother of the long awaited Messiah

10. Elizabeth’s Sermon For Us ELIZABETH REJOICED… • even though she was old and Mary was young • even though she suffered with the reproach of barrenness and Mary did not • even though she had to wait until her old age to have a son and Mary did not • even though her son was only a sign and forerunner to Mary’s son • even though her son’s glory would be far surpassed by Mary’s son • only when we fully exalt Christ as “My Lord” and are liberated from selfishness and envy can we truly rejoice with those who rejoice – even when others are seemingly blessed more and perhaps suffer less than we do “No Comparison; No Envy” “Know Jealousy; No Happiness” “No Jealously; Know Happiness” DON’T DESPISE YOUR PART IN GOD’S PROVIDENCE!

11. The mother of my Lord… (43) • by inspiration she new that • Mary would be a mother • Mary would be the mother of her “Lord” (similar to the prophetic utterance by David in Psalm 110:1 and hints at Christ’s deity cf. Matt. 22:41-45) • this was the only One in history where as yet, unborn, could be properly referred to as “my Lord” • Jesus was Lord even as a babe (2:11)

12. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things…(45) • Mary had a question about such, but believed what was revealed to her (cf. 38) • In contrast, Zacharias did not believe (18-20) • “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6)