Luke 1:39-56 — Holy Spirit Sighting!!!

READ THIS: Luke 1:39-56

39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” 46 And Mary said: 

“My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” 

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

As we've said often throughout our many Deeply Rooted posts... Holy Spirit sighting! It's easy to find God and Jesus in the gospels, but the Holy Spirit can sometimes be overlooked at first glance. Here we see the Holy Spirit at work in some crazy cool ways!
 
When Elizabeth gets close enough to Mary to hear her voice, she becomes full of the Holy Spirit and her child (Jesus's buddy, John the Baptist) literally leaps for joy! Then, without even being told about Mary's child, Elizabeth knows that Jesus is God's son and then blesses Mary. If that's not enough, we see Mary burst out into what basically feels like a Psalm! She praises God for being faithful, merciful, and powerful while also humbling herself.

In these verses, we are reminding of some of the amazing things the Holy Spirit gives us the power to do. First, the Spirit makes crazy happen. God is always at work through those who are filled with the Spirit, from Mary and the disciples back then to people now! Second, the Spirit gives us wisdom and glances into God's beautiful plan. In the same way that Elizabeth was able to see what God was doing through Mary, the Spirit can allow us to see bits and pieces of what God is doing through us and others! Lastly, the Spirit gives us words and a heart ready to praise God. When the Spirit fills us up, we can't help but praise Jesus for what He's done and what He's doing!

The Holy Spirit changes people forever, and we can receive this amazing gift from God by believing in Jesus and drawing near to Him, just like Elizabeth did here!

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. How have you seen the Holy Spirit working in yourself or in others?

2. Is there anything in Mary's praise to God that stands out to you? What can you give God praise for today?

TRY THIS:

Let's practice praising God! Write down (or even talk out loud) about 3 things that you can give God praise for right now, and keep an eye out all day for ways God is working in your life and the people around you.

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