Mary and Elizabeth

*Cover Artist: Corby Eisbacher

I realized recently that no matter what I learn and study, I typically look at it through the lens of a woman sold out to women’s ministry. The women’s ministry at my local church literally changed my life. It has redefined the path my family is taking, it’s reshaped the lives of my children. Women’s ministry is literally changing generations, and I am a benefactor of that. 

So when I read my Bible, I see how God uses women for His purpose and glory. I see how Jesus gives dignity to women, He models how women should be treated, and His behavior challenges generations previous treatment of women. 

God’s word tells us the story of Hagar. Where in quite possibly the worst moments of her life, He shows up. And she infamously names God, El Roi, meaning, “the God who sees me”. See Genesis 16.

Jesus shows up to a well, in Samaria of all places, speaks truth to a woman visiting the well at midday (that’s a whole other blog post for another day!), and she becomes the first missionary! She goes on to proclaim the Messiah, and her entire village becomes followers of Jesus. See John 4.

Jesus reveals himself first to Mary Magdalene upon His resurrection. See John 20.

I could go on. 

As female followers of Jesus (more than half of the Church is female, by the way), seeing how women in the Bible respond and treat others, is paramount in teaching us how we should live today. 

In particular, I’ve been diving into the relationship of Mary and Elizabeth. One gave birth to and raised the Savior, and the other gave birth to the forerunner of Jesus… John, in his adult years came to be known as John the Baptist.

Mary. Most scholars agree she was a teenager, (maybe as young as 12-13) at the time an angel appeared to her, and gave her life-changing, generation shaping news… 

“Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob, forever, his kingdom will never end.  – Luke 1:29-33

In response to this incredible, crazy, hard to believe, announcement, Mary has only one, simple question…. “How will this be since I am a virgin?”

What? It’s hard to fathom that she only has this one simple question in response. Most people, myself included, would have MANY questions about this!

The angel Gabriel kindly answered, saying: 

“The power of the Most High will overshadow you, so the holy one to be born to you will be called the Son of  God. Even Elizabeth, your relative is going to have a child in her old age and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible with God.”

And what was her response: 

“I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” Talk about unwavering faith and obedience! 

Gabriel leaves, and then the next verse says this: “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.” 

Now, Mary, didn’t hesitate when she left. She hustled… And here’s what I believe Mary knew. She needed community. She needed someone to walk through this with her. Someone who also had experienced a pregnancy announcement story. (See Luke 1) 

Without delay, she left, 70 miles, on a long and dangerous trip. 

Elizabeth is Mary’s cousin, decades older than Mary. It’s believed she was in her 60’s when she gave birth to John.  Elizabeth was married to Zechariah, and was barren. In this culture, it was a disgrace and a dishonor to not bear children, namely a son to your husband. Because of this, your husband could literally and legally find another wife who could bear him a child. Elizabeth’s inability to conceive is a very big deal. 

But God has a plan. 

The angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah first and told him about his wife’s impending pregnancy. (Did you read Luke 1 yet?) But suffice it to say, given her age, she had pretty much given up the hope of ever having children. And what’s more? Zechariah was still with her, never left her, never sought another wife.

And now she’s pregnant. 

It was finally her moment. After watching friend after friend, relative after relative all become pregnant. After smiling on the outside for her friend’s happiness but dying on the inside because of her inability to conceive. She was with child. 

Then here comes Mary. 

It’s finally Elizabeth’s time, it’s her moment, and Mary arrives, carrying the Savior of the world. 

There are some “Elizabeth’s” out there who could, say, “Umm no. This is my turn, my moment. You are not stealing my thunder.” 

But Elizabeth doesn’t. She welcomes Mary, in fact when Mary entered, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb, leapt and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 

And Elizabeth humbly says: 

“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 what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.”

Mary, young, not yet married, a pregnant virgin,, facing the hushed whispers and side eyes of those around her now knew she wasn’t alone. Elizabeth understood. 

C.S. Lewis said: “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What? Me too. I thought I was the only one.’”

God chose to work through two women. Two quiet, gentle, looked over women. They didn’t come from royalty. They weren’t prestigious, or wealthy. And I believe that God still wants to use women in the same way today. He wants us to have relationships like Mary and Elizabeth, and like any number of women in the Bible. 

We may feel like we don’t have it all together, or we don’t have anything to offer. But I’m here to tell you that you are wrong. (Sorry to be so frank! I do love you!) You have a very specific role in the Kingdom, and I believe God has given us the narratives in the Bible as tools for how we should live our lives. 

Study the Word, find community, step into your role God has called you to for His Kingdom and His Glory.