Confirmation of God’s Promise

Luke 1:39-56

“And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.” (Luke 1:39-40)

Zacharias and Elizabeth had returned to their own home, but when the angel announced Elizabeth’s pregnancy to Mary, she believed God statement and went to visit her. Pregnant women did not go about much in public as they do in our society, and Elizabeth had hid herself five months. Mary withdrew herself from society to go help and encourage Elizabeth, spending three months with her.

“And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:41-45)

As soon as Mary spoke to Elizabeth, the Holy Spirit revealed God’s plan to Elizabeth, confirming the angel’s prophecy. One thing we find is that God will always confirm his plan so that we do not have to spend our time guessing whether it is God’s will when we follow him by faith. Mary is blessed that she has believed God and acted accordingly.

The confirmation clearly encouraged Mary, as we see in the next verse. Apparently she was under some apprehension as to her position considering the penalties assessed against women who had had premarital sex marrying some one else. That she was still virgin would be hard to prove. It could well mean she’d never be able to marry or leave her parent’s home. Public scorn can be devastating. Elizabeth’s statements relieved some of the concern.

“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.”(Luke 1:46-50)

With her own concerns alleviated, Mary is able to rejoice fully in how God works and to give thanks for his blessings. Even in a time that could have seemed very troubling, she is able to trust, and recognize that as Romans 8:28 declares, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” As a result, she is able to “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you,” as I Thessalonians 5:18 instructs.

“He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.” (Luke 1:51-55)

The time with Elizabeth, away from the public eye and the suspicions of her family and friends gave Mary an opportunity to come to terms with her pregnancy. She realized she had to go back and acknowledge the situation, realizing that Joseph could rightfully decide not to marry her and her family might shun her.

“And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.” (Luke 1:56)

When Mary returned to her home in Nazareth, Her pregnancy was advanced enough that she didn’t hide it, and her fiance, Joseph had to be told. Matthew records Joseph’s struggle with how to handle the situation just as it had troubled Mary.

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.” (Matthew 1:18-19)

Under the law, a person was required to marry a person they had sex with. To marry someone else was adultery, and deserved the death penalty. Aware of the teachings of Deuteronomy 22:27-28 and Exodus 22:16-17, Joseph had to face the fact that if she had had sex with someone else, she was not free to marry him. Matthew 19:6 and I Corinthians 6:16 imply that the same standard still applies. Recognizing that he had no evidence that she was a willing participant, Joseph could not justify demanding the maximum penalty.

“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21)

The Angel convinced Joseph that he was free to marry Mary and thus eliminated any public censure for her pregnancy or taint of scandal. Joseph demonstrated great faith to go through with the marriage despite the situation. It must have been difficult, but as Matthew explains, this was necessary to prove that Christ was the Messiah.

“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.” (Matthew 1:22-25)