Mary needed a friend

Published 9:21 pm Thursday, December 14, 2023

One of the most important facets of the Christmas story is the relationship between Mary and Elizabeth, two women caught in the whirlwind of spiritual change. Two women who had been chosen by God to usher in the forerunner of the Messiah and the Messiah himself! It’s the relationships we have that sustain us through the unbelievable circumstances of life. Like Mary, the mother of Jesus we all need a friend.

In the first chapter of Luke, we get a look at the supernatural events happening in the lives of Mary and Elizabeth. Luke 1:26- 45 (NLT)

“In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. and he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So, the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.” Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” and then the angel left her. A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

When God is doing something in your life, you need a friend to share it with. You need someone who is spiritually sensitive and is also walking in obedience to God’s will. You need a friend to affirm the impossible, not criticize or challenge it! Mary ran to Elizabeth, an older woman she felt like she could trust, and she stayed with her three months. Mary gained strength and comfort from Elizabeth and likewise, Elizabeth gained strength and comfort from Mary. We have no record of their conversations during Mary’s visit, but we know when she made her way back to Nazareth she was ready for the miraculous journey ahead. She was ready to become the mother of Jesus, the Messiah.

Friendships are so important. In our busy world, we trade facetime with our best spiritual friend for activities that seem important. During this holiday season, I encourage you to focus on people not present. Make a visit with a friend who is also experiencing the supernatural power of God. Find wisdom in your friendships. Find strength and courage in your friendships. Find greater faith through your friendships.

Helen Keller, blind from birth, wrote this concerning friendship – “Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light,” Friendship illuminates the darkness and confusion in our lives.

Walter Winchell, an American newspaper, and radio commentator wrote this, “A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.” For Mary, a young, unmarried, pregnant girl who was claiming a supernatural assignment from God, finding a friend who would understand was paramount.

Mary needed a friend and you do too! Share what God is doing in your life with someone special today!