1. The angel Gabriel had informed Mary that Elizabeth was pregnant.
2. Mary decided that she would pay her a visit for a few reasons:
a. This was acting upon the words of the angel Gabriel.
i. She believed what she was told.
ii. She acted upon her faith.
b. Elizabeth was a cousin who had been barren for years.
i. Her pregnancy was a special reason for rejoicing.
ii. Her barrenness problem had been resolved by God.
c. Mutual encouragement
i. Elizabeth must have experienced a miracle from God.
ii. Mary also had a miracle-story to share.
iii. There would be mutual encouragement.
iv. This would be wonderful fellowship.
3. The Journey to Elizabeth’s home
a. Elizabeth lived in a hill country, in Judah (Luke 1:39).
b. Mary lived in Nazareth, Galilee (about 130 km away). {Luke 1:26}
c. It would be a journey of faith and love for traveling was not easy then.
4. At the home of Elizabeth
a. Mary reached Elizabeth’s home safely and greeted her (Luke 1:40).
b. Something special happened according to Elizabeth.
i. Baby John leaped in her womb (Luke 1:41).
ii. Elizabeth experienced the filling of the Spirit (Luke 1:41b..
c. Elizabeth exulted:
i. “Blessed are you among women” (Luke 1:42a..
ii. “And blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Luke 1:42b..
d. This was a special revelation from the Spirit of God.
i. How could Elizabeth know that Mary was pregnant?
ii. How could she know that Mary was carrying a special Child?
iii. These were made known to Elizabeth by the Spirit of God.
e. Elizabeth’s further word.
i. Humility of Elizabeth is to be noted.
“But why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:43)
In terms of age, Elizabeth was much older than Mary. Yet she spoke humbly to her younger cousin.
ii. The joy of baby John.
“For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.” (Luke 1:44)
f. An astonishing testimony.
i. Calling Baby Jesus “Lord!”
Elizabeth acknowledged that Mary’s unborn baby was her “Lord!”
This was no ordinary baby at all.
ii. Recognition by an unborn baby!
Baby John also recognized the presence of the Baby Lord that Mary carried in her womb and thus he leaped in his mother’s womb for joy.
g. The final word from Elizabeth.
i. Blessedness of Faith
“Blessed is she who believed” (Luke 1:45a).
Elizabeth must have seen the contrast between Mary’s faith and her husband Zacharias’ unbelief.
ii. Assured Fulfilment
“For there will be a fulfilment of those things which were told her from the Lord” (Luke 1:45b).
Elizabeth spoke with great confidence that all that had been revealed to her by the angel Gabriel would be fulfilled for this word came from the Lord God Himself.