Luke 1:36 And behold, your cousin Elizabeth has herself also conceived a son, in her old age. And this is the sixth month for her who is called barren.
Elizabeth, the cousin of Mary and her husband Zechariah lived in the Judean Hill country. Zechariah, belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, who was a priestly descendant of Eleazar (son of Aaron). Mary, the virgin with a baby, had to be protected from public shame and stigma. In ancient Israel a virgin with a baby would be stoned to death. Hence the Lord had prepared a safe haven for her in the house of Elizabeth. Mary was in her first trimester while Elizabeth was about six months into pregnancy. Both Elizabeth who had miraculously conceived John the Baptist in her old age and Mary who had conceived the Messiah miraculously through the Holy Spirit were kept in hiding for the sovereign plan of God to be fulfilled.
The baby in the womb of Elizabeth leaped and paid respect to the Messiah when Mary hugged her cousin Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit (vs 41). Elizabeth, Zechariah and her unborn baby played a crucial role in protecting the divine fetus of Baby Jesus. They were an integral part of the nativity scene.
God uses our family even today to preach the birth of the Sovereign Saviour to the world. He uses us to protect His plan, preserve His Word and proclaim the good news–as a family.
We are part of Nativity:
- Plan: God requires families to listen to His voice and obey in order to fulfill His plan. God’s plan will not always be the most convenient or comfortable yet the subservient are the ones who will execute in His plan.
- Preserve: God uses our obedience to preserve His Word. We are the voice of God to the world.
- Proclaim: Our individual calling will invariably align with the purpose and calling of the family. God will not separate the family while we fulfill our calling. He calls Aquilas and Priscillas together to serve Him.
Like Elizabeth, Zachariah and the unborn baby John, our family is called to serve Him.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, use us as a family to fulfill your plan, preserve and proclaim your Word. Amen.
Leave a Reply