Once she understood what God was calling her to do, Mary accepted the ministry without argument or even hesitation. That doesn't mean, however, that she knew how all the details would play out. Would still marry her? Would he accept this baby as his own? Would her parents kick her out? Would they drag her to the town square and have her stoned to death? Accepting a ministry from God is one thing. Knowing how it will all play out is another. This very well may be why she visited Elizabeth.
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. (Luke 1:39-40 NIV)
Mary and Elizabeth had something in common besides being cousins: they were carrying miracle babies. Elizabeth had been barren her whole life and was now very old. Mary was a virgin. Both of them had been empowered by God to have babies. Elizabeth, however, had much more experience at living life walking together with God. She could help Mary learn to do the same, even in the most extreme circumstances. Mary's time with Elizabeth would equip her to walk together with God.
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!" (Luke 1:41-45 NIV)
How about you? Are you being equipped by God through a faithful follower with more experience than you? Is that person encouraging you to listen to and follow God's path for your life? Do you believe that the Lord fulfills his promises to you, too?
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