Luke 1: 39-56

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

Reading for   October 4, 2012      Page 14        Luke 1: 39-56

Mary and Elizabeth were living under the Roman occupation and oppression of their land, and King Herod, their immoral tyrant of a King. There were many ways Mary and Elizabeth could have responded to living in such desperate times. Mary and Elizabeth model for us the life of faith when God’s people are filled with His Holy Spirit. From their words and actions, it is clear Mary and Elizabeth immersed themselves in Holy Scripture. In the psalms and the writings of the prophets, they found God’s compassion and mercy. In the Word of God, they found hope in the promises of God to come and deliver them from evil. Almost every word of Mary’s beautiful song is a quotation of scripture. Elizabeth’s child is John the Baptist, and his preaching will echo Mary’s song. Mary and Elizabeth knew they were participating in God’s plan of salvation; they realized God was literally moving within them to fulfill his promises.

When an angel of the Lord appeared to Zachariah, announcing the coming birth of John the Baptist, the angel told Zachariah, “He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth” (Luke 1:15). When Mary went to visit Elizabeth, “At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit” (Luke 1:41).

When the angel Gabriel explained to Mary how she would become pregnant, he said, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you” (Luke 1:35).

When Zachariah affirmed John’s name, he was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave a prophecy. (Luke 1:67)

The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus at his baptism, and full of the Holy Spirit; he was led into the wilderness. (Luke 3:22; 4:1)

Jesus promised his followers that he would send the Holy Spirit to us, and the Holy Spirit will be our teacher. (Luke 12:12; 24:49)

I haven’t experienced oppression and living under the tyranny of immoral leaders nearly to the extent Mary and Elizabeth did. Even so, the American culture has undergone significant upheavals in my lifetime. The church, as I know it, has drifted further and further away from her first love. (See Revelation 2:1-7) Jesus and John were conceived under, and led by the power of the Holy Spirit. Their parents were filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus said I will need to depend on the Holy Spirit because apart from him, I can do nothing. (John 15:5) God has given us His Holy Spirit to guide our lives, and to empower us to live the life in Christ. The same power that led Mary and Elizabeth, Jesus and John is here for God’s children today.

“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 1:19-20).

Hallelujah! It is so good not to be alone.

Sē’lah

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What word or phrase in today’s reading of the Psalms

 attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

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The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

Reading for   October 5, 2012      Page 17-18   Luke 1:57-80; John 1:6-9