Two women–two pregnant women–one is really nervous and the other is really excited. Together they form the center of this Sunday’s sermon. Our focus is on Mary’s visit to Elizabeth.
When Mary became pregnant she headed directly to visit Elizabeth’s home. It took 8-9 days to make the trip. Yet, the Message translation of Luke says “Mary did not waste a minute.” Mary was in a hurry to see Elizabeth. The two women were related in some way-cousins or aunt/niece. Whatever the relationship, it is obvious that Mary felt she could talk to Elizabeth. And, Mary had a lot to talk about and sort out.
Elizabeth was able to help Mary. She listened to the fears Mary had over her pregnancy. In spite of the justifiable fears, Elizabeth convinced Mary she was a blessed woman. Elizabeth was not saying Mary would have a life of ease and comfort. In fact, these blessings were a paradox. Mary was granted the blessing of being the mother of the Son of God. Yet, this incredible moment would also be the path to a broken heart. Mary would give birth to a child whom she would witness dying on a cross.
William Barclay, Bible Scholar, says “To be chosen by God so often means at one and the same time a crown of joy and cross of sorrow. The piercing truth is that God does not choose a person for ease and comfort and selfish joy but for a task that will take all that head and heart and hand can bring to it. God chooses us in order to use us. It is the paradox of blessedness that it confers on a person at one and the same time the greatest joy and the greatest task in all the world.”
Maybe we ought to be careful asking God to bless us. In so doing God might just give a tremendous work to do at a great cost. Pastor Ray
See you Sunday,
Pastor Ray
