It was a quiet afternoon as Elizabeth rested her eyes. It was a habit of hers to take a few minutes every day so she could have a quiet time with the Lord and just rest. Being old had its draw backs but this was one thing that Elizabeth always looked forward to. Elizabeth's thoughts were drawn to Zacharias. As a Temple Priest Zacharias would serve Sabbath to Sabbath. But this week he was chosen to go into the sanctuary to burn incense. Oh what a privilege for Zacharias to have been selected. A priest is only selected once in their life time and this is the time for Zacharias. A smile crept across Elizabeth's face. She opened her eyes and realized it was almost time for him to return home from his time of service. When Zacharias came in the door he was beaming but couldn't talk or make any sound for that matter. Elizabeth's heart did a flip flop and then he handed her a piece of paper that he had written on. She read the note and looked up at him and again that smile crept across her face and his face, because they felt the way all Godly couples do when they realize it was possible they could become pregnant. To become pregnant had always been her prayer and she didn't even care that she was now old. To have that stigma removed, to be a mother and to think God had already given him his name. John, meaning the mercy or favor of God! For five months Elizabeth kept to herself. She never revealed why she wanted to be alone. Perhaps she didn't think it looked proper for an old woman to be traipsing around in this way, or perhaps she wanted to savor this time, or perhaps, just perhaps, she was a Godly woman who wanted to give of herself in this pregnancy to God alone. Unknown to her, Mary her cousin had been visited by the Angel Gabriel, and she too was pregnant and not by any man. Mary was just pregnant when she felt the need to visit Elizabeth. When Mary walked into Elizabeth's home the baby within Elizabeth's womb jumped for joy. The Holy Spirit was already present in John and He immediately felt the presence of Jesus! Elizabeth exclaimed a welcome and called Mary the mother of the Lord! The three months they spent together was full of praise and wonder and laughter as these two women talked of their coming experiences. The future was not fully revealed to them except that they both would have extraordinary sons. One son, that would prepare the way for the other son and in doing so both would change the world forever. (Jane Ann)
Elizabeth was a daughter of Aaron which would give her genealogy as coming from a priestly family. She also was married to a priest, who we know as Zachariah. Both of them were considered righteous before God because they both walked in all the commandments and laws of the Lord without blame. What a blessing for the people he served as a priest for God; What a legacy to have and to leave to your children!
"And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb! Luke 1:41-42 Through the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth was the first to acknowledge that Mary was to be the mother of our Lord. Elizabeth was the first to recognize and fully understand what was taking place because the Holy Spirit, through John revealed it to her. Elizabeth 6 months and Mary barely pregnant gives us proof that a fetus is a person at conception because John recognized Jesus as soon as He was brought into the room, while still in his mother's womb.
Elizabeth praises Mary by saying; "And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." Luke 1:45 Elizabeth delivers and gives birth to a son and his name is John! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/14/09
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