The Visit With Elizabeth

Gabriel's words about Elizabeth meant a lot to Mary. Of all the women in the world, who could understand her situation better? Mary hurried to the mountainous country of Judah, a trip of perhaps three or four days. As she entered the home of Elizabeth and Zechariah the priest, Jehovah rewarded Mary with further solid evidence to bolster her faith. Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting and immediately felt the infant in her womb leap for joy. She was filled with holy spirit and spoke of Mary as "the mother of my Lord."  God revealed to Elizabeth that Mary's son would become her Lord, the Messiah. Further, she was inspired to commend Mary for her faithful obedience, saying:  "Happy too is she that believed."  (Luke 1:39-45) Yes, everything that Jehovah had promised Mary would come true!

In turn, Mary spoke.  Her words are carefully preserved at Luke 1:46-55.  It is by far Mary's longest speech in the Bible record, and it reveals much about her. It shows her thankful, appreciative spirit, as she praised Jehovah for blessing her  with the privilege of serving as mother to the Messiah.  It shows the depth of her faith, as she spoke of Jehovah as abasing the haughty and powerful and helping the lowly and poor who seek to serve him. It also hints at the extent of her knowledge.  By one estimate, she made over 20 references to the Hebrew Scriptures!

Clearly, Mary though deeply about God's Word. Still, she remained humble, preferring to let the Scriptures do the talking rather than speaking of her own originality.  The son who was then growing in her womb would one day show the same spirit, saying:  "What I teach is not mine, but belongs to him that sent me." (John 7:16)  We do well to ask ourselves:  "Do I show such respect and reverence for God's Word? Or do I prefer my own ideas and teachings?' Mary['s answer is clear. 

Mary  remained with Elizabeth for three months, no doubt receiving and providing a great deal of encouragement.  (Luke 1:56) Both women remind us of the importance of friendships. If we seek our friends who truly love our God, Jehovah, we are sure to grow spiritually and draw closer to him.  (Proverbs 13:20) Finally, though, it was time for Mary  to return home. What would Joseph say when he learned of her condition?

Next time: Mary and Joseph

From the Watchtower magazine, 2008