Elizabeth the mentor
Luke 1:39-45
39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’
Gabriel, the angel that appeared to Mary had essentially told her to go and talk to Elizabeth for whom God had done the impossible. And so, Mary, who was young, almost certainly a teenager, went “with haste” to find her relative Elizabeth, who by Zechariah’s words was “well along in years” (Luke 1:18).
When Mary arrived at Elizabeth’s, Elizabeth made a declaration which has three significant things in it.
First, Mary is blessed for being the mother of the Messiah. That theme appears again in Luke 11:27. And to this day Mary is regarded as being blessed for being the mother of Jesus.
Second, John still in the womb responded to the voice of the woman who would give birth to the Messiah. Even in vitro God was guiding John’s life to recognize the presence of the Messiah.
Third, Elizabeth declared that Mary was blessed because she believed what the angel told her about the impossible pregnancy. Zechariah had questioned, had not believed the impossible could happen – Mary had questioned, but had then believed that God could do the impossible.
We know from Luke 1:56 that Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about 3 months, until just before John was born. Many have commented that the younger Mary was a help to the older Elizabeth during that time – the older Elizabeth was also a mentor to the younger Mary. Elizabeth had the chance to mentor Mary, who had been blessed in this way. Elizabeth could continue to assure Mary of God’s blessing, God’s leading, and encouraging Mary’s trust in God. Elizabeth’s actions here are a challenge to all to make the most of opportunities to mentor those who are younger, to help them live into the blessings God has given them.
PRAYER:
God of grace and wisdom, you have given us mentors who have helped us in our following of you. Guide us to see the opportunities you give us that we might mentor others, help us to be faithful and helpful mentors. In Jesus’ name. Amen.