This week, we have seen how Elizabeth committed to God when it didn’t make sense and how she was a faith-filled friend. In the final episode in which she speaks, we’ll see how she also submitted to God. It came eight days after John's birth. That was the day Jewish boys were circumcised, and at that ceremony, the parents would name the baby.
Read moreElizabeth Was a Faith-Filled Friend (Luke 1:39-45)
Here we come to the second episode in which Elizabeth appears. It occurred after the angel Gabriel met with a relative of Elizabeth, Mary, telling the young virgin that she would give birth to the Messianic descendent of David, who would sit on the throne forever. Even without knowing a man sexually, Mary would bear the Son of God. And, since Gabriel told Mary that Elizabeth was also pregnant, Mary took a trip to visit Elizabeth.
Read moreElizabeth Committed Herself to God When It Didn’t Make Sense (Luke 1:4-7, 24-25)
Here we have Elizabeth and her husband, Zechariah (5). Zechariah was active as a priest. Both of them belonged to the family line of the priests. And both of them loved and served God, blamelessly walking in God's commandments(6).
Read moreA Christmas Meditation
For many, Christmastime is a season to celebrate family and friendships, traditions and prosperity, kindness and generosity. But a select few refuse to let the goodness of these elements mask the true greatness of Christmas—they are not so easily satisfied. Fortunately, Christmas provides them with this opportunity. Christ has come! So we can know God! (7 Minutes/1900 Words)
Read moreWomen Of Christmas, pt. 1: Elizabeth (Luke 1)
Sunday Sermon: Women Of Christmas, pt. 1: Elizabeth (Luke 1)
Elizabeth was a woman after God's own heart, a woman who lived in fear of the Lord, and through her body, the dawn of the gospel began to break. Her steadfast hope in God, her prophetic counsel as a messenger for God, and her determined obedience to God all paved the way for *the Son of God*.
Read moreHis Introduction: Jesus Is God Breaking Through (Mark 1:9-11)
After setting the stage and telling us about John the Baptist, Mark immediately takes us to the inauguration of Jesus' earthly ministry. (6 Minutes/1600 Words)
Read moreThe First Christmas
As we stand on the precipice of a new year, we are bound to look back upon our current one. We might discover darkness and difficulty, pain and agony. We might also find light and joy, gladness and goodness. But, since our world labors under the pangs of the curse, travail and hurt lies in the wake of this year. (7 Minutes/1700 Words)
Read moreWhat Does The Magnificat Say About God?
Last week we thought about what the Magnificat, Mary's song in response to Elizabeth's greeting, said about Mary. Our next question is: *What does the song say about God? (5 Minutes/1400 Words)
Read moreWhat Does the Magnificat Say About Mary?
Allow me to introduce you to a much better Christmas song than any modern artist could compose. In the early chapters of Luke, three songs were sung. Simeon sang the third after he held baby Jesus in his arms in the temple. Zechariah sang the second after his wife, Elizabeth, in her old age, bore a son they named John. And Mary sang the first after visiting Elizabeth, a relative, while both of them were pregnant. (7 Minutes/2000 Words)
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