Two Sons: A Savior and One to Prepare The Way

In the spirit of Christmas, I began reading the gospel of Luke which is the account of Christ’s birth.  I encourage you to do so because even though most have heard the story, there is so much more to it than no room at the inn!  Today I was reading about Elizabeth, wife of Zacharias.  She was a barren woman who had reached an age where ever having children didn’t seem possible.  “…they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.  But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.”  Luke 1:5-7 (NKJV)  Think of all the prayers, all the tears, all the cries out to God, the emotional battle this would have been for the couple.  Then one day the angel Gabriel appears to Zacharias says “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.  And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth…he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.  He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children’, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”” Luke 1:13-17  Just as the angel said, Elizabeth conceived a child.  Think of all the great rejoicing and feelings of awe and wonder at such a mighty God that was now felt!  But that wasn’t the end of this great miracle!

The gospel then tells us of Christ’s birth announcement to Mary.  The angel Gabriel said to her “…behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.  He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.  And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.“ Luke 1:31-33  Mary then went to share the news with her relative, Elizabeth,  who was now six months pregnant.  This is the part I love - Elizabeth’s reaction to the news!  She said to Mary “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!…as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.  Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”  Luke 1:42-45  Can you just see the two of the women rejoicing over the new lives forming within their wombs?!  Most of us know the feeling of joy that comes with a new baby inside of us, but none of us know how much that feeling was increased for these ladies!  Mary was carrying the Savior of our world!  Elizabeth was carrying the one who would prepare the way!

Keeping in mind Elizabeth’s reaction to the news, I wonder how many of us would have responded in the same way?  Would we have rejoiced with our loved one as Elizabeth had?  Or would our thoughts have turned to “well why didn’t I get the child who’s kingdom would never end?  She is just a young girl, not even married yet and I’ve been waiting for years for a child.   Lord you’ve heard my many cries, don’t I deserve to carry that child?”  But Jesus was to be born of a virgin.  God had a far greater plan, an everlasting plan from a Sovereign God.  I believe Elizabeth had enough faith in the Lord to know this.  Her child would prepare the way for the coming King.  I believe she knew just how blessed she was!

The same holds true for us today.  Instead of looking at someone else’s blessing, wondering why you haven’t received one as great, know that you are indeed blessed.  God has a different, but no less important role for your life and your calling.  We must put our faith and trust in a Sovereign God, whose eternal plan is far greater than anything we can imagine.  You may be called to be a stay-at-home mother- a Godly mother may raise Godly leaders and what an honor that is!  You may be called to be a prayer warrior- the power behind your prayers can move mountains and prepare the way for God’s greatness in those around you, no small task!  You may be called to teach Sunday school- for many of those children, you will become their first teacher of who Christ is, laying a foundation for God to work in their lives for years to come!  The examples are endless, but we each have a role, an important, individual, unique purpose!  We need to be open vessel’s for Him to use and be willing to accept the task given to us with gratitude.