July 2, 2023

Today's Reading: Luke 1:39-56

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 14:1-27, John 15:1-11

“He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” (Luke 1:54–55 ESV)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. ‘A pregnant virgin goes to visit a pregnant old lady’ sounds like the opening line of a joke or the pitch for a really awful reality television series.  In the case of Mary and Elizabeth it is no joke but the meeting of the Old and New Testaments. Elizabeth is pregnant with the last and greatest of the Old Testament prophets while her relative Mary is carrying the promised Messiah.  At Christmas time it may be popular to sing, Mary Did You Know? but it is clear from the words in our reading that both of these women were aware of what was going on. 

Elizabeth refers to Mary as ‘the mother of my Lord’ and even the baby in her womb leaps at the presence of the child Mary is carrying. Elizabeth also makes it clear that she knows the circumstances of Mary’s pregnancy.   Mary’s response to Elizabeth makes it even more clear that she did indeed know.  Her response to Elizabeth has been put to music and is known as the Magnificat. Her song has become the song of the church. Today’s reading is about far more than a joint baby shower, it is the meeting of the first Christians gathered around the presence of Jesus. 

What both of these women knew was that their children were part of the great story of salvation. Their children were part of how God was going to fulfill His promises to save his fallen creation. In other words, both these women knew that what was going on with them was ultimately about you. Mary’s words are about the God who has done great things for her and those great things are the same things that He has done for all people.  They are the same things that He has done for you. In Jesus the child of Mary was help for Israel and the mercy promised to Abraham. The promises of God have been fulfilled for you in Jesus. You are part of the promise to Abraham and you are part of His people Israel. Mary’s song is also your song. When you gather for worship it is in the same presence of Jesus.   In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Father in heaven, by your grace the virgin mother of your incarnate Son was blessed in bearing him, but still more blessed in keeping your word: Grant us who honor the exaltation of her lowliness to follow the example of her devotion to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

-Pastor Grant Knepper is Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Modesto, California.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Jonathan Lackey is an LCMS seminarian.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.