Waters of Life

Biblical Studies in Multiple Languages

Search in "English":

Home -- English -- Luke -- 010 (Mary's Visit to Elizabeth)

This page in: -- Arabic -- ENGLISH -- Indonesian -- Russian

Previous Lesson -- Next Lesson

LUKE - Christ, the Savior of the World
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Luke

PART 1 - HISTORICAL EVENTS ASSOCIATED WITH CHRIST'S BIRTH (Luke 1:5 - 2:52)

3. Mary's Visit to Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56)


LUKE 1:51-56
51 He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He has put down princes from their thrones. And has exalted the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy, 55 As he spoke to our fathers,to Abraham and his seed forever.” 56 Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.

God is not an incomprehensible far-away mighty spirit. He intervenes in the history of the world. His characteristics are not a logical conception, but are shown in the lives of humans. God does not sleep, but works. Since humanity fell in sin, the Holy One has ceaselessly been saving, asking and working for the salvation of the world.

Study God’s ruling of the world from Mary’s lips, and study in depth his mighty works according to the nine verbs used in the second part of the Virgin’s praise. Then you will get wisdom and get understanding.

God is all powerful, as Christ testified to the essence of his Father during his last trial before the Jews (Matthew 26:64). He is the only positive and constructive power in the world. By his power he created the world. It is wise to worship the Creator when you study the mysteries of his creation in your science courses, for all sciences reveal the great, beautiful, and mighty power of God.

Satan’s temptations made man become proud and God drove him away from his presence, for whoever separates himself from his source becomes an enemy of the Creator in his mind. Blessed are you when you realize that all humans are disobedient, for the spirit of Satan works in them (Ephesians 2:1-5). This is why we became the children of wrath, given up to the lusts of our hearts. The history of mankind is a revelation of God’s waves of wrath on us (Romans 1:18; Revelation 6:17).

God’s condemnation of all pride and lust is more effective than you know. The Holy One gave man a chance to live in the fear of God according to his redemptive plan. Yet, he who becomes proud and does not put his gifts, money, and ability at God’s disposal will fall down to shame and destruction. Did you realize how the simple Virgin condemned the kings and great leaders through her words given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit?

She confessed in her discernment that he who is lowly will be exalted by God, and he who is meek will own the earth. God will have mercy on you if you continue to be patient, gentle, and regard your enemies as better than yourself. Christ’s way is humility. This is why God has highly exalted him (Philippians 2:5-11). If God exalted you, and gave you blessings, gifts, and success, would you continue lowly and simple as a child of the Lord, or would you become proud, thinking highly of yourself? The Holy Spirit teaches you to die to yourself and live for God alone.

Now observe how God blesses you who are disobedient, and gives you bread abundantly. He is our Father and Provider who would not destroy us quickly though we deserve his wrath. Would that people turn to their Creator, see his blessings and multiply them. Unfortunately, countries abuse God's provisions and use them to make exorbitantly expensive weapons. For example the price of one warplane is sufficient to satisfy the needs of millions of human beings. Such people waste the gifts of the Provider who supplies us with his riches. However, selfishness makes the rich poor, for they destroy themselves and are given up to their lust according to the wrath of God.

The people of the wilderness knew how God provided for them and sent down Manna and quails. Yet, they complained against their Provider and did not understand the guiding of his Spirit to make them a holy nation, but incurred his wrath. However, the Lord did not destroy his adversaries entirely in spite of his continuous punishments throughout centuries. This shows that he would not end or annul his grace to us, for he remains merciful in the midst of his just justice, holiness, and wrath.

God is faithful to his promises which he gave to Abraham, the fathers of faith, and to their followers. What was the worthiness of those fathers? It was their faith. They heard the word of God and held fast to his promise faithfully, and this faith was accounted to them for righteousness. Because of this faith, God dealt with them, and he would never change his words for he is faithful.

Did you realize the deep secrets which the Holy Spirit revealed to Mary? Open yourself to the voice of God, without hatred or pride, so that you may listen to reason and see God working in the midst of the disorder of our world.

As it was time for Elizabeth the prophetess to give birth to her son, Mary returned trusting that God would guard her, guide her, and care much for her.

She experienced his mysterious providence. Nevertheless, Mary’s way remained the way of striving and faithful patience so that the God’s strength might be made perfect in our weakness.

PRAYER: Our Lord, the Highest, I am fool. I do not realize your ways of ruling the world as you see them. Please forgive me and illuminate me with your Holy Spirit of humility so that I may walk according to your love and truth, and avoid your wrath, heeding your directions, and obeying your words every day.

QUESTION 18: What does God do in his management of the world?

www.Waters-of-Life.net

Page last modified on March 22, 2017, at 10:57 AM | powered by PmWiki (pmwiki-2.3.3)