I realize it is a bit past the Christmas season, but the account of Mary & her receiving the news of her upcoming pregnancy has been part of my recent Bible reading. Interesting to me is the immediate action that Mary took. She went to visit Elizabeth (John the Baptist's mother).
"At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth." Luke 1:39
This woman, Elizabeth, is in the midst of her own maternal crisis. After an up to this point life-long season of barrenness (and she is not a young woman), she is now pregnant with a son who also had (a couple months previous) an angelic introduction. That meeting left her husband unable to talk because of his unbelief. And Elizabeth's son would prepare the way for the Messiah.
But God sends Mary to visit this older, seasoned woman, and she stays for an extended period.
"Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home." Luke 1:56
Can you imagine with me the wonder of that relationship as they shared their individual, unique stories of God's work in their lives and how it fits into the redemptive plan?
Undoubtedly, they were unclear & incomplete in understanding the full scope of things, but what a relationship to eavesdrop on! What conversation and reflection on God's purposes must have occurred!
What fears might have been shared by this young girl, anticipating giving birth, contemplating the role of raising God's anointed one; what faithfulness of God might been emphasized by Elizabeth, having lived a long life of obedience and uprightness, sharing the heritage of God's faithfulness in her own experience.
God gave Mary a mentor-friend to help prepare her for her task.
And recorded in Scripture is the praise that flows from Mary's lips at God's magnificence.
In all of this, I see the provision and goodness of God. I see the loving care of Mary's Heavenly Father for this very young woman as He prepared her for the monumental task that was before her.
When God calls, it is rarely simple or comfortable, but He always provides--graciously, lovingly and completely.
He thinks of everything that we need.
I've often thought that God sent her to Elizabeth because she was the only one who would understand. Perhaps Mary's parents would not believe or accept her situation and sent her away so they wouldn't have to be reminded of what they may had thought to be her sinfulness. Then when Joseph decided to marry her anyway, she was able to return. In the meantime Elizabeth was obviously a loving and encouraging mentor when she needed one most.
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