Behold the handmaid of the Lord

As in yesterday’s passage, a godly person receives a visit from Gabriel to be told of the birth of a son. There it was an old long-married man; here it is a young betrothed woman - not of the priestly family, but of the kingly family; not in the august temple in Jerusalem, but in the despised town of Nazareth.

In both cases, the birth of the child would need a miracle. For Elisabeth, it would involve the removal of barrenness, something which had happened before, as Zacharias well knew. In Mary’s case, it would involve an event unparalleled in human history, described so beautifully in verse 35. Both sons would be ‘great’, vv. 15, 32, but Mary’s son would be unique: He would be truly human, vv. 31, 35, yet divine: ‘the Son of the Highest’, v. 32; ‘the Son of God’, v. 35.

Godly man though he was, Zacharias did not believe, v. 20, but Mary does, v. 45. His question was an expression of doubt, v. 18, but hers, v. 34, asked in faith, is a request for an explanation. The implications for her are enormous, but she gladly and humbly submits to God’s word and to His will, v. 38.

Her subsequent actions are interesting: having received a visit from the angel, she pays a visit to Elisabeth. Doubtless, the word of encouragement that Gabriel has given Mary regarding Elisabeth, v. 36, has given her a great desire to see her who would be able to appreciate, more than any other, the significance of what Mary has been told. And what a joyful three months it turns out to be! How encouraging to Mary are Elisabeth’s words, vv. 42-45, and the fact that Elisabeth’s unborn child leaps for joy in his mother’s womb, v. 44! It produces great joy in Mary, causing her to burst out in a beautiful song of praise to her God and Saviour, vv. 46-55. It is an exemplary song - full of allusions to the scriptures. Evidently, Mary knew her Bible.

Doubtless, Zacharias would have been aware of these events taking place in his home. What a rebuke it must have been to him: his lack of faith had left him unable to speak; Mary’s faith led her to utter these majestic words of praise to God. How blessed is the song born of faith, in contrast to the silence produced by unbelief!