Luke 1:39-45
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
In our last two passages, we saw Mary’s faith unfold as she learned that she would bear the Savior of Israel. Read Luke 1:39-45 as we continue with the story.
Mary gladly accepted the news that she would be a crucial part of God’s plan to rescue God’s people, but no one, apart from her betrothed husband Joseph, received any kind of angelic explanation. As soon as Mary began to to experience the symptoms of pregnancy there would be questions, and her life would get very difficult. How gracious of God to give her a sign through the miraculous pregnancy of her older cousin, and how kind of God to allow them to journey together down this unfamiliar road together.
Stop to consider that Mary “hurried” to be with Elizabeth. Who has God graciously placed in your life who could encourage you toward God’s call and purpose for you, and how are you seeking to establish mutually beneficial spiritual friendship with that person or those people? Take some time to discuss this with Jesus.
Read Luke 1:39-45 again noting the recognition of God’s confirmation to Mary and God’s provision for both women.
Gabriel told Zechariah that his and Elizabeth’s child would be “filled with the Holy Spirit even before his birth (Luke 1:15),” and now as Mary and Elizabeth greet each other, the Spirit in Elizabeth’s unborn baby recognizes the Spirit in the newly formed life growing in Mary. In this God-ordained friendship, both women are strengthened in their faith, and both are richly blessed.
God did not create us to be alone. We were created for community and outside of spiritual friendship we will never hear everything God wants us to hear, and we won’t receive all God has for us in this life. This is a counter-cultural truth in a society that values self-sufficiency and independence, but it is a principle that is woven into our DNA.
Take some time to contemplate this idea. Notice how you react to the thought that you were created for community, and then beginning from that reaction, speak openly and honestly with Jesus.
Now take a moment to be silent and listen.
What are you hearing from Jesus today through the example of Mary and Elizabeth?
What will you do about that?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
