To Us a Son Is GivenParaugs

Leaping for the Lord

The Holy Spirit’s ministry has been compared to a spotlight. He puts the focus not primarily on Himself but on Jesus Christ. This is precisely what the Spirit did through John—who was filled with the Spirit from his mother’s womb (Luke 1:15)—and through Elizabeth in today’s passage.

When Mary greeted Elizabeth, the Spirit caused John to leap for joy inside his mother’s womb! The Spirit also filled Elizabeth on this occasion, prompting her to exclaim (loudly) about how blessed Mary was. The Spirit was testifying to the identity and greatness of the child inside Mary.

If we are not familiar with Israel’s worship in the Old Testament, then it’s easy to miss just how stunning today’s passage is. From their earliest days, Israelite children would have known that their worship and love belonged exclusively to the Lord, the one true God (Exodus 20:3–6; Deuteronomy 6:4). And yet, Elizabeth referred to Mary as the “mother of my Lord.” Let that sink in: Elizabeth, prompted by the Spirit, refers to her cousin’s unborn child as her Lord! The child inside Mary’s womb was fully human, but He was also fully divine. The God of Israel, the Lord of creation, had (in the person of His Son) come in the flesh. No wonder Elizabeth shouted and the baby leapt!

Simple Summary

When Mary greeted Elizabeth, the Holy Spirit caused Elizabeth’s baby, John, to leap for joy. The Spirit then led Elizabeth to shout because of the greatness of Mary’s baby, a baby Elizabeth refers to as her Lord! Mary’s baby is unlike any other baby, for though He is fully human like us, He is also fully God. The Holy Spirit helps us see Jesus for who He really is.

Pray

Ask God to continue to open your eyes to the beauty and greatness of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. Pray that He would help you proclaim this to others as well.