The unborn rejoiced!
What do I mean by that?
Well let’s take a look at the first chapter of Luke. Here we read an account of angelic visits that affect the lives of three faithful believers: Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary.
After Mary’s encounter with the angel Gabriel, who told her she was honored to bring the Messiah into the world, Mary quickly went to visit Elizabeth, a relative who was also expecting.
Now Elizabeth was too old to have a baby. However, after her husband’s angelic encounter with Gabriel, God blessed Elizabeth with a pregnancy. Not only did God take away the hurt and shame of her barren state, but this child would prepare the people for the coming of Jesus.
So we can see these people’s lives are intertwined not just by family ties, but spiritual ones as well.
GABRIEL MADE A POINT OF TELLING MARY ABOUT ELIZABETH’S PREGNANCY. I WONDER WHY?
Yes, Gabriel set in motion Mary’s visit to Elizabeth by sharing the news of Elizabeth’s pregnancy with Mary. It almost seems out of place when he throws it into the message, but there was a reason. There is always a plan when God is working.
MARY NEEDED A FRIEND
- Elizabeth was a person Mary trusted for comfort during this confusing time in her life
- This older relative was further along in life and pregnancy and able to share wisdom with this young woman about what to expect.
- Perhaps Mary needed to get away from local scrutiny in her hometown of Nazareth.
- Elizabeth, a faithful and devoted believer awaited the coming of the Messiah. Having just experienced a miraculous pregnancy, this woman was in a good place to believe Mary’s extraordinary encounter.
HOWEVER, WAS THERE ALSO A SPIRITUAL ASPECT TO THIS DIVINE APPOINTMENT?
Upon arriving at Elizabeth’s home Mary politely greeted her friend and relative. At the sound of Mary’s voice another supernatural event occurred. The Bible tells us that Elizabeth exclaimed, “The baby in my womb jumped for joy.”
I know expecting mother’s feel babies move, but the Holy Word of God tells us that Elizabeth recognized that the baby jumped for joy. This was no ordinary kick or position change – the baby reacted to Mary’s voice. The very woman who was carrying the Messiah.
The Bible tells us that at that moment Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Even this filling was exceptional. Prior to Jesus the Holy Spirit’s presence and ministry was limited. He did not dwell within believers as He does today.
SO, WHAT DO I MEAN WHEN I SAY THE UNBORN REJOICED?
An unborn baby was the first to rejoice at the news of Jesus!
Yet, we don’t spend a lot of time studying this passage where the unborn rejoiced! It would probably be an excellent verse to meditate upon during Advent. This event was important to Jesus’s coming for the Bible tells us that Elizabeth’s baby, John the Baptist, would be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth.
OKAY, THE UNBORN REJOICED. IT IS AN INTERESTING CONCEPT, BUT HOW DOES IT RELATE TO US TODAY?
Well, at the very least it expresses clearly there is life in the womb! Not just life, but some form of awareness and feeling too. Just like many archeological digs confirm Bible truths, there are modern day studies that prove this Biblical concept too.
- The Mozart effect emphasizes that playing classical music stimulates the baby in the womb.
- Studies also show that interacting with the baby in the womb by singing, reading, and talking to your baby helps your baby’s natural cognitive development.
- And we know from experience, that newborns often recognize their mother’s voices.
As Christians, we must protect the sacredness of life God has given us and the pro-life movement must move forward.
At this time (December 2021) the Supreme Court is hearing arguments regarding a law that forbids almost all abortions after 15 weeks. The petitioner’s argue there is no constitutional right for an abortion; therefore, Mississippi can uphold this ban. The manner in which this case is being argued could overturn Roe (v) Wade and Planned Parenthood (v) Casey. The latter case made it harder to restrict abortion by crafting an ‘undue burden’ standard.
SO WHAT TO DO AS CHRISTIAN WOMEN?
We must continue to fight the good fight for the rights of the unborn.
Begin by praying the following prayer!
Subscribe to the National Right to Life list and get current information on what is being done to protect the unborn and how you can help.
You can also check out local organizations that provide guidance and help to women who are pregnant, scared, and don’t know where to turn.
For more information read my blog post: Pro-Life Women of the Bible.
COMMENTS
As always, comments are welcome and encouraged. Any suggestions on how Women Seeking Christ can help in the pro-life movement? Any thoughts on this article or the current Supreme Court case? Share your reflections on this important subject.
