Just think of the news Elizabeth and Zecharias were processing:
“Finally, after all these years, we are going to have a child – yes, a son, for that matter! And what makes it even more special, the mighty Angel Gabriel appeared to my husband to tell him the news of our soon-to-be baby boy. Now down through history, how many times has this great Angel Gabriel ever communicated directly to anyone on earth! And, just to think, we were the favoured couple. It’s really something! Of course, the best news of all is the fact that our boy will have the very special role of announcing the arrival of the Christ. How wonderfully we have been blessed!”
A number of months later — Knock. Knock. And in walks Elizabeth’s much younger relative Mary. How would Elizabeth take Mary’s news?
How did the conversation go? Did Elizabeth first say to Mary: “Did you hear that the mighty Angel Gabriel appeared to my dear old husband, Zecharias? But how did she feel – yes, feel, when youthful Mary told her the mighty Angel also visited her personally?
And did Elizabeth ask: “Had you heard that in our old age, in our very senior years, we were expecting the arrival of our first son and that our boy would prepare the way for the arrival of – dare I say, Messiah?”
Have you wondered how Elizabeth felt when she found out that her much younger relative not only shared in the honour of having Gabriel visit her, but that Mary was told she too would have a son and that He would not just be the forerunner of the Messiah but Messiah Himself?
Naturally speaking, we might think older Elizabeth would be feeling that her own excitement had been unfairly upstaged by her rival relative. Naturally speaking, she could have been jealous that Mary herself got to have a 1:1 with the mighty Angel Gabriel, and she did not. Naturally speaking, Elizabeth could have had some negative thoughts that her long-awaited child would be displaced by Mary’s son.
The reality was: Elizabeth was thrilled that her younger relative was expecting the Promised Child – the Messiah. There was no rivalry or resentment: She didn’t say:
“Rats! She’s getting ahead of me. I thought I’d enjoy the limelight for a while. Now she’s going to steal the show. Everybody will be making a fuss over her baby. My son will have to take second place.”
She didn’t grudgingly congratulate Mary but then tell her rather condescendingly: “You’re pretty young for all of this. I don’t know whether you’ll be able to handle it or not.” No – there were no subtle put-downs or snubs borne out of suppressed or unexpressed jealousy.
Elizabeth acknowledged the undeserved blessing that she herself had received from God, but she was also quick to recognize that Mary’s blessings were far greater. There was not a tinge or hint of jealousy.
Rejoice with those who rejoice.” Romans 12:15
Have you ever smiled through someone else’s exciting news but in reality, you were a little annoyed that it happened for them and not for you? Have you ever pretended to be ever so happy for someone but deep down, you had a little inner fist clenched? There can be a short-lived, almost impulsive internal negative response to the news of blessing in someone else’s life. That inner reaction needs to be confessed. If I don’t nip it in the bud, there is a great danger of jealous feelings gaining both a foothold in our hearts and momentum in our thinking.
When we start dipping into the archives of our memories to connect the dots to justify our negative feelings and to make our case, then we are on a dangerous course. There is nothing spiritual about such thoughts. We are definitely in the wrong. It’s nothing but fleshly carnality and if it is left unchecked and unconfessed, it will mushroom into dark destructive behaviour.
For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?” 1 Corinthians 3:3
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If you read more about Elizabeth, you will see why she rejoiced with Mary and harboured not even a hint of jealousy or bitterness. She lived a righteous, blameless life before God. (Luke 1:6) Elizabeth and Zacharias had the right focus in life – the coming Messiah. Luke 1:41 says Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She had no difficulty saying to Mary: “Blessed are you among women.” And she had a right view of herself. Humbly she marvelled that the mother of her Lord would stoop to visit her.
Jealousy and bitterness have no place in a heart occupied with Christ – the spiritually minded.
Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.
Warmly in Christ,
Peter Ramsay
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