Luke 1 - Birth of John the Baptist, The Birth of Jesus Foretold - Mary Visits Elizabeth

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Introduction

Today we begin our reading in Luke's gospel. As we have said, Mark's gospel was the earliest gospel written between 60 - 70 A.D. Matthew and Luke took material from Mark and also added their specific emphases. They wrote their gospels between 70 - 80 A.D. Together the three gospels are called the "synoptic gospels", which means they all essentially saw and wrote about the event. 

As the introduction makes clear, the writer wrote this gospel for "Theophilus", whose name meant "lover of God". Later, we learn the author is Luke, the physician, who traveled with Paul on his missionary journeys.This is why you will see him use the word "us" later. The specific purpose of Luke's gospel was to write an orderly account of the things that had been witnessed by many people. Notice there were "eyewitnesses" to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. The 4 gospels are written by different people from different perspective but they are all writing about what actually happened. We call that history! These eyewitnesses would help Theolophilus to have absolute certainty to the things he was taught. So Luke's gospel is full of useful details and there are some stories we will enjoy that are unique to Luke, as we will see today in narratives about Mary and her cousin Elizabeth. 

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

First, we hear the story of John the Baptist. His parents Zechariah and Elizabeth were very faithful people. Zechariah was a priest in the temple. They were devout people but were very old and without a child. One night when Zechariah was on duty, an angel appeared to him and told him he and his wife would have a child. The child was to take the Nazirite vow of no alcohol and would be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth. Zechariah didn't believe Gabriel, one of the few angels we know by name, so Gabriel told Zechariah he would not be able to speak until John was born. After returning home from his service, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant. 

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

One month later Gabriel appeared to her cousin Mary, a young teenage virgin. She was engaged to Joseph, who was a descendant of King David. The angel told Mary she was highly favored, which took Mary back quite a bit. Gabriel told her that her son to be born to her would be called the "Son of the Most High", and his kingdom would reign forever. 

Can you imagine what a shock this was to this young teenage girl? The least of which she was a virgin, which caused her to say, "How can this be since I am only a virgin?" The angel told her the Holy Spirit would come upon her and "overshadow" her. Notice the Holy Spirit is very active all throughout this birth narrative. The Holy Spirit's presence, power, and participation in Luke's gospel is an important distinctive in his gospel. And then we see why God picked Mary, as she responds in great faith by saying, "I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have said!"  Mary trusts God's word and doesn't focus on her doubts, a great model for us today.

Mary Visits Elizabeth 

Meanwhile the Holy Spirit gave her very specific evidence which would back up the words the angel gave to Mary. Elizabeth, her cousin, was already in her sixth month and would also have a baby in her old age. So Mary rushed into the hill country to see if this was true. 

Mary heard from Gabriel that her relative Elizabeth was pregnant (Luke 1:36). So she went the considerable distance (somewhere between 80 and 100 miles) from the region of Galilee to the hill country of Judea for a visit. Mary probably understood that not many people could understand her experience with Gabriel and miraculous conception. If anyone could understand, it might be Elizabeth. - Guzik

Sure enough when Mary got to Elizabeth's house, the baby heard her voice and leapt in Elizabeth's womb. Once again we see the Holy Spirit at work. The Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth and in a loud voice she exclaimed, "Why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord would come to me. Blessed are you among all women!" John the Baptist leapt for joy in her womb, a foreshadowing of how he would introduce his cousin Jesus to the world. 

Mary’s Song

This was a huge confirmation for Mary of what the angel Gabriel had told her and no doubt she was overwhelmed. Her song is inspired by the Holy Spirit. Mary's heart is full of gratitude that God would take a humble teenager like herself to bless the world and fulfill the promises he had made all the way back to Abraham. God had not only kept his promise to Elizabeth and Mary but also to His people. 

“To Mary was granted the blessedness of being the mother of the Son of God…Yet that very blessedness was to be a sword to pierce her heart. It meant that some day she would see her son hanging on a cross.” (Barclay)

The Birth of John the Baptist

When John the Baptist was born there was great rejoicing. After all, who would have thought that Zechariah and Elizabeth could have a child at this age. Since Zechariah could still not speak when it came time to name the boy Elizabeth said, "His name is John". The people were confused becasue there was no one in the family with that name. 

As they motioned to Zechariah for confirmation, he could not speak but he took a writing tablet and wrote on it, "His name is John!" Immediately Zechariah could speak! 

Now, Zacharias responded in total faith. It wasn’t “I think his name should be John.” For Zacharias, this was recognition of a fact, not a suggestion. Even though he had failed before, God gave Zacharias a second chance at faith. He gives the same to us today. (Guzik)

Zechariah’s Song

Now it is Zechariah's chance to break out in song. And once again the Holy Spirit filled him to give praise and ALSO to prophesy. Zechariah recounted how the Lord had been faithful to his people to give them salvation from their enemies. God had showed them mercy even when they had disobeyed him. Importantly his son John would be the one to announce the arrival of the Messiah. He would prepare the way for the One who would forgive the people of their sins. He would show them where to turn for the salvation of their souls. He would shine on those living in darkness and bring the sweet light of peace. 

We learn that John grew up in the wilderness as God's Spirit filled him, shaped him, and prepared him for the day he woudl introduce his cousin to the world! 

As you have read through this chapter, God has done many amazing things through ordinary people. He used an old couple to bring in the man who would introduce the Messiah to the world. And he used a a young teenager, who would bring a Savior into our world. Though they had doubts, ultimately they both trusted in God's promise through his messenger Gabriel and God rewarded their faith.

Where is God calling you to trust him? Can you say as Mary said today, "I am the Lord's Servant, may it be to me as you have said!"