Expectant Mothers' Faith

December 24, 2023 Background Scripture: Luke 1:1 - 25, 36 45, 56 - 60 Lesson Passage: Luke 1 - 45, 56 Today's lesson focuses on two pregnant women. They were relatives, and their pregnancies were nothing short of miracles that were divinely intertwined. The older woman was beyond childbearing age, and the younger was a virgin. The older woman, Elizabeth, hid herself from the public after she became pregnant. It is worth noting that the angel Gabriel told the younger woman, Mary, about her relative Elizabeth after it was recorded that Elizabeth hid herself. This is a reminder that nothing is hidden from God; and He may choose to reveal things according to His will. It can be instructive for us to realize that God sometimes reveals things about a person that will provide strength and encouragement for others. We might attempt to hide it from others, but God might choose to reveal it for their benefit. This is certainly the case in today's lesson. If Elizabeth had remained hidden, she might not have received the encouragement she needed as she carried her baby to full term. Likewise, Mary needed the confirmation God provided through Elizabeth's response to Mary's greeting. Elizabeth's response was a word of prophecy to Mary. Elizabeth's response included several things. She confirmed Mary's unnatural pregnancy; Mary was a pregnant virgin. She confirmed the nature of the child Mary was carrying; He would be recognized as Lord. She confirmed the spiritual connection between John the Baptist, her baby, and Jesus Christ, Mary's baby; John, in the sixth month of his development in her womb, recognized and reacted to the voice of Jesus' mother: he leaped while still in Elizabeth's womb at the sound of Mary's greetings. And finally, Elizabeth confirmed Mary's faith; Mary would be blessed because she believed the word of God's messenger, Gabriel. Again, Elizabeth was given a word of prophecy. The bible does not record that Gabriel visited Elizabeth. Gabriel told her husband, Zacharias, what would happen to Elizabeth. After listening to Gabriel, Zacharias was made mute until after the baby was delivered. Yet, Elizabeth knew the details of Mary's situation that could only have been revealed to her by God. And she proclaimed those details under the anointing of the Holy Spirits The bible says that when John leaped in her womb, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Therefore, she spoke as the Spirit gave her utterance. As we consider our topic, "Expectant Mothers' Faith", we see God working in and through both Elizabeth and Mary. Both needed to have faith given their personal situations. Elizabeth conceived her baby after she had lived a barren life and was now advanced in age. Mary, on the other hand, was still a virgin and was pregnant. Their situations were beyond explanation based on human nature. But God. God took two impossible situations and gave birth to possibility. The faith of two expectant mothers caused them to rejoice over the works of God in their lives. They were both living testimonies of God's omnipotence. Is there anything too hard for God? Our lesson presents two expectant mothers who could easily answer that question if they were here today. Elizabeth was in hiding and Mary was confused, but God brought them together and comforted them both. Their faith was strengthened when God brought them together. Elizabeth was encouraged by God's use of Mary as part of His divine plan for the world. Mary was encouraged by Elizabeth’s pregnancy and words of prophecy concerning her. Alone, they struggled with their situation and their faith. Together, they celebrated their faith, rejoiced, and praised God. Robert C. Hudson November 30, 2023