In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it’s easy to overlook the extraordinary ways God moves in and through us. The passage we’re exploring today, Luke 1:39-45, provides a powerful reminder of the supernatural nature of our faith and the joy that comes from recognising God’s work in our lives. This encounter between Mary and Elizabeth is more than just a family visit—it’s a divinely orchestrated moment filled with prophetic utterances, spiritual insight, and the tangible presence of the Holy Spirit.
Let’s dive into this passage and uncover the rich truths it holds for us as believers in the 21st century.
The Passage: Luke 1:39-45 (NIV)
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
1. A Divine Appointment
The Supernatural Timing of God
Mary’s visit to Elizabeth wasn’t just a coincidence or a casual drop-in. It was a divine appointment, orchestrated by God Himself. After receiving the astounding news from the angel Gabriel that she would conceive the Son of God, Mary “hurried” to visit her relative Elizabeth. This urgency speaks to the supernatural leading of the Holy Spirit, guiding Mary to exactly where she needed to be at precisely the right time.
In our lives, too, God often arranges divine appointments. These are moments when He brings people together or leads us to specific places for His divine purposes. As believers, we must be attuned to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, ready to move when He prompts us.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10
Practical Application:
- Pay attention to the nudges of the Holy Spirit in your daily life.
- Be open to unexpected encounters and see them as potential divine appointments.
- Pray for spiritual sensitivity to recognise God’s timing in your interactions with others.
2. The Leap of Prophetic Joy
The Supernatural Response of the Unborn
One of the most striking elements of this passage is the reaction of the unborn John the Baptist. Scripture tells us that when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, “the baby leaped in her womb.” This wasn’t just a random movement; it was a Spirit-inspired response to the presence of the unborn Messiah.
This miraculous event reminds us of the reality of spiritual sensitivity, even before birth. It speaks to the sanctity of life from conception and the incredible ways God can work through anyone—even an unborn child—to declare His truth.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” – Jeremiah 1:5
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Elizabeth’s response is equally supernatural. We’re told that she was “filled with the Holy Spirit” and began to prophesy. This infilling of the Holy Spirit is a foretaste of the promise Jesus would later give to all believers—the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
As Pentecostal and Charismatic believers, we recognise that this baptism in the Holy Spirit is available to all believers today. It empowers us for service, enhances our spiritual sensitivity, and often manifests in the gift of speaking in tongues and other spiritual gifts.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8
Practical Application:
- If you haven’t yet, seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit through prayer and faith.
- Cultivate an atmosphere of worship and openness to the Holy Spirit’s movement in your life.
- Be attentive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings and be ready to speak prophetic encouragement to others.
3. The Power of Spirit-Filled Declaration
Prophetic Utterance and Blessing
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth breaks out in a loud, prophetic declaration. Her words, inspired by the Spirit, confirm the angel’s message to Mary and pronounce blessings upon her. This demonstrates the power of Spirit-inspired speech to confirm God’s word, encourage others, and release blessings.
In the body of Christ today, we are called to exercise the gift of prophecy for the edification of the church. When we speak under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, our words have the power to bring life, hope, and confirmation of God’s plans.
“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.” – 1 Corinthians 14:1
The Importance of Faith-Filled Declarations
Elizabeth concludes her prophetic utterance with a powerful statement: “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfil his promises to her!” This declaration highlights the importance of faith in receiving and walking in God’s promises.
As believers, we are called to speak words of faith, declaring God’s promises over our lives and the lives of others. Our words, when aligned with God’s Word and inspired by the Holy Spirit, have creative power.
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” – Proverbs 18:21
Practical Application:
- Practice speaking words of blessing, and encouragement over others, led by the Holy Spirit.
- Meditate on God’s promises in Scripture and declare them over your life and circumstances.
- Seek opportunities to exercise the gift of prophecy in your local church, under proper guidance and accountability.
4. Recognising the Presence of the Lord
Spiritual Discernment
Elizabeth’s ability to recognise that Mary was carrying the Messiah demonstrates a high level of spiritual discernment. This gift of discernment is available to believers today through the Holy Spirit, enabling us to perceive spiritual realities and understand God’s movements in ways that go beyond natural understanding.
“The person with the Spirit makes judgements about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments.” – 1 Corinthians 2:15
The Indwelling Presence of Christ
Just as Elizabeth recognised the presence of the unborn Jesus in Mary’s womb, we as believers, carry the presence of Christ within us through the Holy Spirit. This indwelling presence is a source of joy, peace, and power in our daily lives.
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” – Colossians 1:27
Practical Application:
- Cultivate the gift of discernment through prayer, Bible study, and seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
- Practice being aware of the indwelling presence of Christ in your daily life.
- Look for evidence of God’s presence in others and in your circumstances.
5. The Joy of Divine Visitation
Experiencing God’s Presence
The encounter, between Mary and Elizabeth, is marked by an overwhelming sense of joy. This joy springs from the recognition of God’s presence and the fulfilment of His promises. As believers, we too can experience this supernatural joy when we encounter God’s presence in our lives.
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” – Psalm 16:11
The Role of Joy in Spiritual Warfare
Joy is not just an emotion; it’s a powerful spiritual force. In times of trial or spiritual warfare, the joy of the Lord becomes our strength. The joy experienced by Mary and Elizabeth, in this passage, was a precursor to the challenges they would face, and it served as a spiritual anchor.
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10
Practical Application:
- Cultivate a lifestyle of praise and thanksgiving to maintain joy in all circumstances.
- When facing challenges, intentionally focus on the joy of the Lord as a source of strength.
- Create opportunities for joyful fellowship with other believers, recognizing the presence of the Lord in your midst.
Conclusion: Embracing the Supernatural in Everyday Life
The encounter between Mary and Elizabeth serves as a powerful reminder of the supernatural realities that underpin our faith. As we’ve explored this passage, we’ve seen divine appointments, Spirit-filled declarations, prophetic joy, spiritual discernment, and the transformative power of recognising God’s presence.
These experiences are not meant to be isolated events in biblical history. As believers filled with the same Holy Spirit, we are called to live in this supernatural reality every day. The God who orchestrated this divine encounter is the same God who wants to work in and through us today.
Call to Action
- Seek the Baptism in the Holy Spirit: If you haven’t experienced this empowerment, seek it earnestly through prayer and faith.
- Cultivate Spiritual Sensitivity: Practice listening to the Holy Spirit’s voice and responding to His promptings in your daily life.
- Speak Life: Use your words to bless, encourage, and prophesy life over others and your circumstances.
- Embrace Divine Appointments: Be open to God-ordained encounters and see each day as an opportunity for supernatural ministry.
- Live in Joy: Choose to rejoice in the Lord always, allowing His joy to be your strength in all situations.
As we step out in faith and embrace these supernatural realities, we open ourselves to experience God’s power in remarkable ways. May we, like Mary and Elizabeth, be known as those who believe that the Lord will fulfil His promises, and may our lives be marked by the joyful, transformative presence of the Holy Spirit.
Let us go forth, empowered by the Spirit, to be witnesses of Christ’s supernatural power in a world desperately in need of His touch. Amen.
PREVIOUS: How to Embrace Divine Surprises in Your Life
NEXT: The Magnificat: A Song of Praise and Humility.
