“And her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her.”
Luke 1:58
Luke 1:58 is about the birth of John the Baptist to Elizabeth’s in her old age, or is it? Certainly, the occasion is the birth, but look, the verse does not mention the child at all. The object in this particular verse isn’t the child, but rather the display of the Lord’s great mercy. The event being celebrated is the birth of this remarkable son. Elisabeth’s neighbors and relatives all came to rejoice with her. No doubt, there was a lot of coddling and “uchie-couchie” baby-centered enjoyment going on in that home. I’m sure that as these visitors came into the house they all wanted to see the mother and set their eyes on the new born baby. I not familiar with the customs of that time, but I wouldn’t be surprised if food and other gifts were given in celebration of the child’s birth.
Yet sadly, I confess, when I read the phrase “that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her” I am tempted to think that this phrase is just a religious way of saying “they were happy she had a baby.” Is the phrase “the Lord’s great mercy” merely a religious colloquialism, or does it really mean what it says? Was God’s great mercy the higher object of their rejoicing – over and above their joy in the baby? My cynical inclinations might lead me to interpret such a phrase as a colloquial expression. But more likely, I must repent of cynicism and accept that these God-centered neighbors and relatives simply treasured God’s mercy more than I do.
When I experience God’s blessing, or celebrate His blessings in someone else’s life, I admit, my focus is more on the gift than on the Giver. “You got a promotion – congratulations!” “Nice new car, how many miles to the gallon?” “They’re getting married, that’s wonderful!” But these friends of Elisabeth, they came to see a baby, but more than that, they were rejoicing that this baby was a display of God’s great mercy. Which one it is more valuable? Which one is greater, the baby, or God’s great mercy? By bringing the two close together for comparison, the answer is obvious. And it puts my cynicism to shame.
A baby, especially one granted to a childless woman in her old age, is truly a great gift worth rejoicing over. But God’s mercy is greater. How fitting for Luke, in this sentence about this wonderful gift, to omit the gift altogether and instead focus instead on the glory of the Giver!
O my soul – learn! God gives you good gifts every single day. These gifts bring God’s mercy into view. Thank God for His gifts but rejoice even more in His mercy. Remember that His mercy does not come cheap. All good things you receive in this life were purchased for you with a great price. His mercy and His gifts flow from a blood stained cross. Rejoice therefore in the Lord’s great mercy.
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