Luke 1:39-45
39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”
“And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” (vs. 41)
There are some who are quick to respond to the question, “When did Christ become man?” by saying, “When he was born.” But Christ Jesus was among us a full nine months before that, hidden from sight. Christ became man when He was conceived in the womb of the blessed virgin.
Every human being except Jesus is a condemned sinner while still inside their mother. Each one of us began as an enemy of God — not fearing, loving or trusting in God. When Mary greeted Elizabeth, Christ was with her—with her words. The effect of Christ’s presence with Mary was that the Baby inside of Elizabeth was stirred by those words. Since Christ Jesus is still present with His Word today, that word has creative power, and faithful Christian mothers do well to take their baby to church while still in the womb.
Adults are also affected by Christ’s presence in the Word. Elizabeth, whom we are told was among the faithful, was filled with the Holy Spirit at Mary’s words. She in turn spoke a blessing to Mary and told her of the things of God. Because Jesus is present with His Word, it has the power to create and increase faith. Thanks be to God!
Once He Came in Blessing, All our sins redressing;
Came in likeness lowly, Son of God most holy;
Bore the cross to save us; Hope and freedom gave us. (LSB 333)
Let us pray: Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
