The Baby Leaped

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years (Luke 1:5-7).

Elisabeth and Zacharias had long prayed for a child, and in their old age, God granted their request. When Mary was expecting Jesus, she decided to go visit Elisabeth, her relative in Juda, a town in the hill country. No doubt it would be good to get away to a quiet place where she wouldn't be as confronted with gossip, judgment, and accusations.

And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb, and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost (Luke 1:41).

As soon as Mary arrived, Elisabeth's baby lept within her womb. Elisabeth also recognized Mary's special calling. Being filled with the Holy Ghost, she says to Mary, "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy" (Luke 1:42-44).

And it came to pass, that on the eighth day when they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said. Not so; but he shall be called John (Luke 1:59-60).

What a moment! And of course, Elisabeth's son, John the Baptist grows up to be God's messenger to prepare the way for Jesus' ministry. He would have the privilege of baptizing Jesus and setting the example for us. Also, he, like so many others, would be martyred for his faithfulness. Does your heart leap for joy as you think of Jesus coming to earth for you? Is your heart prepared to receive him now and always?

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