As the family finished their meal, Caleb got ready to tell them all more about each of the things that had happened with Mary. And as he did, he called his young grandson Uriel over, picking him up and placing him on his lap. “So Uriel, if my mind serves me right, you asked me about Jesus and John. So today, I thought I would tell you about the first time Jesus and John met!”
As Uriel looked at his grandfather with a puzzled smile, the rest of the family began to gather. Caleb then began to tell them again about Mary. “Not long after Gabriel appeared to Mary, she soon made her way to Judah(Luke 1:39). From Nazareth to Judah would have been a lengthy trip, one that would have taken her about three to four days to travel. From the area of Galilee, she would have followed the King’s Highway south, along the Jordan River. And this being a very busy road, she would have been able to travel with other groups of people, as protection would have come to her in numbers.”
On hearing this, Sarah, Caleb’s daughter, quickly spoke up. “Abba(Hebrew for father), how would she do this being pregnant? I know I would have never even thought of this when I was carrying Seth and Uriel. And I also know Nathan, nor you, would have ever gone along with me travelling alone with child!” Caleb thought for a moment, then began to answer Sarah. “My child, you must remember, Joseph and Mary’s immediate family probably did not yet know she was pregnant, and she was probably not yet showing either. This would have all taken place just after Gabriel came to her. I remember when you became pregnant with Seth, your first thought was to share it with your mother, because you knew she would understand. Mary’s first instinct would have been to share this experience with the one person she knew who would completely understand. So her first thought would have been to go and see Elizabeth.”
As he spoke these words, Caleb could see Sarah begin to nod, realizing she now understood, he continued to tell all about Mary’s trip. “As Mary made her way to Judah, she came to the house of Zacharias and Elizabeth. And as she entered the house and greeted Elizabeth, the child that Elizabeth was carrying leaped in her womb, as she was filled with the Holy Spirit!(Luke 1:40-41). As Mary's eyes would have gazed on Elizabeth, she would have seen her pregnant, and instantly would have confirmed all Gabriel had told her. And I can only imagine the bond of understanding and sympathy that would have overcome them both. Not only were Mary and Elizabeth filled with joy, the child that Elizabeth was carrying, John, jump in her belly with joy also! Still in the womb, just six months old, John had the spiritual awareness to realize that he was in the presence of the Savior(Psalm 22:10). Before he is even born, John is already fulfilling the role the Lord had prepared him for, he was pointing all to the promised Messiah(Ephesians 2:10).”
Before Caleb could continue, Asher found himself with a question. “Abba, so to be filled with the Spirit finds us full of joy?” Caleb looked over at Asher, and began to answer. “My son, if the Holy Spirit is active in us, then joy will be seen and heard from us. When you hunger, do you not act with different emotions than when you are full? If we are found with anger, do we not think the Spirit is grieved(Ephesians 4:30)? When the Spirit is active and present, joy will be felt. Just as it was that day with all there, even with the child that was in Elizabeth’s womb. As even that unborn child knew the joy that only the Savior could bring.”
Caleb then looked at his family and said, “Filled with this joy, the Holy Spirit leads Elizabeth to shout out to Mary with a loud voice. Letting her know how she is blessed among women(Luke 1:42). Even though John had yet to be born, and Zacharias was still left silent, Elizabeth fully believed the words the Lord had called Gabriel to speak to Zacharias in the Temple(Luke 1:17), that the son she now carried would prepare the way for the Lord. And with each joyous thought, she believed that the son Mary now carried would be the One her son would prepare the way for. Because Mary and Elizabeth had faith in the Lord, they found themselves experiencing the joy we are filled with when we stand in the midst of His presence and His power(Hebrews 12:2).”
As all heard Caleb describe Mary and Elizabeth coming together that day, they continued to be amazed by all they were hearing. “Elizabeth was not only filled by the Spirit, she was also inspired that day by the Spirit, as she told Mary how blessed she is that the mother of her Lord would come to visit her(Luke 1:43-45). The righteous woman that Elizabeth was(Luke 1:6), could be heard in the humility of her words. She was not envious that the Lord had chosen Mary to carry the Messiah instead of her. She is filled with joy that Mary had come to her to share in the glorious news. She shared with Mary the joy that her son had felt in her womb, as her unborn son was ecstatic and completely overcome the moment the Messiah came into his presence. And with each word, Elizabeth bestowed a blessing on Mary. Encouraging Mary in her faith, as Mary placed her trust that each word Gabriel had spoken to her would be fulfilled.”
As Caleb finished, he picked up his grandson, Uriel, once again. “My child, Jesus and John would do so much more than just play together, they would prepare and create a path that would lead us directly to the Lord God. And on that first day, when Mary visited Elizabeth, the first stone on that path was laid in place. And it was a stone that was permanently cemented to that path with a jump of joy!” On hearing the words he spoke, Uriel smiled the largest of smiles, and Caleb’s family began to discuss all they had just heard. Each word Caleb heard brought joy to his ears, as he heard those he loved seeking so deeply to know their Savior even more. And as he heard them speaking, he heard a question come from his daughter-in-law. Tamar, “I wonder what John’s birth was like? Both Zacharias and Elizabeth being old, and Zacharias not being able to speak. I am curious as to what happened that day!” On hearing her words, Caleb quickly spoke. “Tamar, your question will make for a great place for us to continue with our story tomorrow night. After our evening meal, we will look at the birth of John, and see what all happened. And as we talk about John, I am sure you all will have even more questions then!”
I hope your family will join Caleb and his family tomorrow, as he tells them the story of the birth of John the Baptist.
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