A Visit From Mary

Luke 1:39-56

All verses are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted

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”

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!

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)

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)

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)

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

1. 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)

2. 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

1. “No Comparison; No Envy”

2. “Know Jealousy; No Happiness”

3. “No Jealously; Know Happiness”

DON’T DESPISE

YOUR PART IN GOD’S

PROVIDENCE!

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)

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)