Expecting Great Things: The Blessed Babies
The angel Gabriel visits Mary, a young, dark-skinned, unmarried girl living in poverty. He announces that God has chosen her for a divine purpose: to become the mother of the Son of God through immaculate conception. To personalize his message, he informs her that her cousin Elizabeth, who had struggled with infertility, is now six months pregnant at seventy-five years old. He asserts, “With God, nothing is impossible.” After hearing this, Mary responds with empowered faith: “Let it be done according to God’s word.”
What follows is likely what most of us would do if we were in Mary’s position. The scripture states, “She went into the hills with haste to Elizabeth’s home.” Haste suggests she moved with significant speed or urgency. I believe Mary hurried to Elizabeth’s house to confirm Gabriel’s message that a woman well past menopause was having a baby—indeed, an extraordinary occurrence. The story becomes even more captivating. As Mary greets her cousin Elizabeth, a celebration of joy and fulfillment begins. Elizabeth’s baby leaps within her womb when Mary speaks! Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth starts to prophesy:
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!
Mary visits Elizabeth’s home to confirm the pregnancy of a menopausal woman who had previously been unable to conceive. Elizabeth, in turn, affirms Mary’s pregnancy as the mother of Jesus. The immaculate conception had already occurred when Mary arrived at Elizabeth’s house.
Mary had great faith, yet she was human. She longed to see the sign Gabriel had mentioned, one that was beyond anything she could have ever imagined. It strengthened her faith and gave her the strength to face the upcoming challenges. Sometimes, God shows us what is possible in our lives by demonstrating what He has accomplished for others. Witnessing how God has paved the way for someone reinforces our belief that He will create a path for us. When we see how God healed a friend, restored a broken relationship, improved finances, or helped someone overcome addiction, we trust He can do the same for us. For with God, nothing is impossible.
“And without faith, it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV
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