Unborn Bouncing Baby Boy

Luke 1:39-45

Verse 44  As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

    Elizabeth was happy.  She had prayed so long for a child and had given up on the possibility many years before.  She had accepted that she would be the object of much pity.  When Zechariah had come home not being able to talk but letting her know that she would be the mother of a baby boy she was amazed and thankful.  She, in her old age, would know the joys of motherhood.

    6 months later there was a voice at her door, a young female voice of a relative.  We can guess that these two ladies had a close relationship because Mary went to see her as she came to grips with her own pregnancy.  Mary must have trusted and respected Elizabeth a great deal.  Imagine the relief Mary felt when Elizabeth greeted her the way she did.  The young woman may have been facing some ridicule and uncertainty.  When she told Joseph she knew this could ruin the relationship she had been looking forward to.  So while other relationships were being strained, she comes in to a joyous Elizabeth.

    Elizabeth may have been excited to see Mary, but it was the Holy Spirit revealing Mary’s baby as the Messiah that had unborn baby John jumping for joy.  Never before or since has a baby in one womb jumped for joy about a baby in another womb.  By this time Elizabeth was 6 months along and may have been noticing movements from John for a month or two but this time was different.  She knew what he was doing and knew who was bringing him joy.

    Most parents are pleased when their children are happy, but nothing can bless a parent like knowing their child is finding joy in the Lord!  Elizabeth was knew that John had a special role in the coming of the Messiah and this event must have confirmed it in her heart.  And the joy it brought her to be able to share the moment with Mary must have been extra special.

    This gift of joy is for us and our children as well.  Jesus didn’t come only for adults, He came for children too.  They are never too young to learn about the joy of the Lord.  Even if we don’t have children of our own, we can be sharing the joy we have in Christ with the children in our lives.

Making It Personal

    Did anyone share the joy of the Lord with you as a child?  How have you shown the joy of Christ with a child?  Do you know a child that could use the joy that only Christ can give?

Making It Personal Kids

    What do you know about the joy of Jesus?  How can Jesus’ joy be shared with others?  Who can you share it with today?

Closing Prayer

    Father, thank You for this joy that only You can give.  Please help us embrace it and live in it.  In Jesus’ name, amen.