Mary’s Joy
As soon as Mary greeted Elisabeth, the babe leaped in Elizabeth’s womb. Why did the baby leap? He leaped for joy. The Holy Ghost filled Elisabeth, and she said, “43Whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:43-45)
Elisabeth was overjoyed. Mary was going to have a baby, and it was going to be the Lord! God had given Mary a great privilege and a great responsibility.
This was just the assurance Mary needed. “46And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.” (verses 46-49)
A mix of fear and joy must have overwhelmed Mary. Why would God choose her, a poor woman, to be the mother of His Son? It was more than she could fathom. God had done to her great things, and she would be thankful. He was God, He was holy; and He had looked upon her to choose her to do a work that would make her known to all generations for the rest of time. She was to be the mother of the Messiah. Both Mary and her cousin Elisabeth rejoiced and wondered at this marvelous work of God. “Why me? I do not know, but I am God’s handmaid, and I will do His work with joy!”