Christ Confirmed

“Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” – Luke 1:39-41

Mary had just received the astonishing news from Gabriel that she would bear the promised Messiah, and she quickly went to Judah to stay with Zacharias and Elizabeth. Scripture does not tell us exactly why she went, but what we do know is that when Elizabeth saw her, she was filled with the Holy Spirit and immediately confirmed what Mary already knew. She declared that Mary was blessed—not above women, but among women. This distinction is important, because while we must not elevate Mary beyond the place God gave her, we also must not minimize her role in His plan. God delights in using ordinary people for extraordinary purposes, and Mary’s humble obedience reminds us of how He works through those who simply trust His Word.

Elizabeth, under the inspiration of the Spirit, recognized that the Child in Mary’s womb was the Lord Himself, and she honored Mary as “the mother of my Lord” (Luke 1:43). Notice that her praise was not directed at Mary, but at the One she carried. Even John, still in Elizabeth’s womb, leaped with joy at the sound of Mary’s voice, already filled with the Spirit before his birth. What a powerful picture of God confirming His promises through His Spirit! Just as Elizabeth’s words reassured Mary, God often brings encouragement to us through Spirit-filled people who remind us of what He has spoken when we are troubled or uncertain.

We need the witness of the Spirit, both in our own hearts and through the encouragement of others. Just as Elizabeth rejoiced in the presence of Christ before His work was fully revealed, we too must learn to rejoice in Him even when the answer is not yet complete. God confirms His promises through His Spirit, and when He does, it brings joy, assurance, and strength to keep walking in faith. May we be like Elizabeth, ready to speak words of confirmation, and like Mary, ready to receive them with humility and trust, believing that what God has spoken will surely come to pass.

“Elizabeth spoke not of herself, but as moved by the Holy Ghost. The Spirit of God gave her discernment to recognize the Lord in Mary’s womb, and joy to proclaim His presence. Thus God confirmed His Word by the witness of His Spirit, so that Mary might be strengthened in faith.” – C. H. Spurgeon