Luke 1:41, 45 (ESV)
[41] And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in
her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,
[45] And blessed is she who believed that there
would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
In Luke 1:39-45 we find the record of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. Elizabeth was promised a child in her old age. Six months later Mary was promised a child in her virginity. It was only natural that she would turn to her relative Elizabeth with the news. As they met three significant statements are made in this passage. First, at Mary’s greeting the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped. That word means to leap or to skip, particularly with joy. It is a word used only three times in scripture. Two of those times are in this passage and once in Luke 6. Here in verse 44 Elizabeth says that the baby “leaped for joy” or exaltation. In Luke 6:23 it is translated “leap for joy.” When Mary greeted Elizabeth, the baby in her womb leaped for joy at her greeting. Why is that significant, and is that just assigning meaning to a random “kick” by the baby? In Luke 1:15 Elizabeth’s husband Zechariah had been told by the angel Gabriel that their child would be “filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.” The child leaped for joy at Mary’s greeting because even before birth he was filled with the Spirit.
The second significant statement comes in verse 41, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Her statement about the child’s leaping was insight given to her by the Holy Spirit. Her recognition of Mary’s pregnancy was revelation by the Holy Spirit. Her blessing on Mary was directed by the Holy Spirit. Throughout Luke the ministry of the Holy Spirit is significant. That theme is carried on throughout the book of Acts, which was also written by Luke. Ministry, insight, direction and guidance, empowerment, equipping, all come from the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer. The birth of Jesus cannot be separated from the ministry of the Holy Spirit. When Mary asked Gabriel how she could be pregnant without a man, he said that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and the power of the Most High would overshadow her. The Holy Spirit was active in the process of God becoming man. He was active in preparing and guiding the ministry of John in pointing to Jesus even before he was born. The Holy Spirit was active in the ministry of Jesus, coming upon him in Luke 3 and leading him into the wilderness in chapter 4. The ministry of the Holy Spirit cannot be separated from the birth or ministry of the Savior.
The third significant statement in Luke 1:39-45 is found in Elizabeth’s final blessing on Mary in verse 45, “blessed is she who believed.” In verse 42, filled with the holy Spirit, Elizabeth said of Mary, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” Then in verse 45 she adds, “blessed is she who believed.” The foundational truth of faith that is at the heart of the gospel is introduced here. Mary is not blessed because she was a good person. She is not blessed because she kept the Law. She is not blessed because she came from a good family. She is not blessed for any reason other than that she believed. That is how we too enter into God’s blessing. It is by grace through faith that we are accepted by God.
In seven short verses three significant statements are made that point to two essential truths. We are called, as believers, to point people to Jesus. Both John and Elizabeth rejoice over Jesus by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. The ministry of the Spirit is central to our task of making disciples. Second, the gospel we preach is not a gospel of trying hard, or being good. It is a gospel grounded in faith. “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved” (Ac 16:31). May we follow the lead of the Holy Spirit in our lives as did John and Elizabeth. May we walk by faith as did Mary. In those two truths we find fruitful lives and ministry.
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