Mary went to visit Elizabeth and Zechariah after the visit of the angle and the announcement of her miraculous pregnancy (Luke 1:39). I wonder how many times previously Mary had visited this older couple. Scriptures do not reveal the exact relationship between Mary and the elderly priestly couple. Regardless of the relationship they were familiar people with whom Mary must have visited often as she grew up. I wonder if anyone travelled with Mary? I can’t imagine a young woman travelling all by herself. She lived in Galilee to the north and Elizabeth lived somewhere probably south of Jerusalem. How many times had the child Mary run up to Elizabeth and hugged her? How many times did Elizabeth listen to the little girl chatter on about anything and nothing. Did Elizabeth have a glimmer of understanding of what God saw in the girl on her lap. What lessons did Elizabeth teach Mary about God and his greatness? These are all questions that will never be answered. I ponder such questions to help me picture the reality of the people that God used to bring about his plan of eternal redemption. When I grasp the simple people that God used to do great things I can be encouraged that he seeks to use me to work out small parts of his Kingdom even now.
It took me about 22 minutes to read this passage.
Stuart
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Paul of Tarsus
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