Public Humiliation... Private Celebration.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.” (Luke 1:41-45, italics mine)

In this past Sunday's sermon, our pastor shared a few aspects of prophetic ministry:

• God reveals what is hidden;
• God reinforces what He has already said;
• God encourages the obedient.

Today, let's consider the third aspect: prophecy as encouragement to the obedient.

Encouragement. In considering the prophetic encounter between Elizabeth and Mary, we see that Elizabeth's prophecy began and ended with a word of blessing to Mary. Mary had the joy of hearing God's commendation: "My daughter, you are blessed. You have believed Me; I will fulfill My word in you."

It is important to note that Elizabeth's prophecy did not erase the challenges Mary would face. But, the prophecy did produce in Mary the encouragement she would need to face those challenges as the months and years progressed. I would even go so far as to say that, without the prophetic encouragement from Elizabeth, we would not have had the resultant, exuberant, confident praise response from Mary: the Magnificat, found in Luke 1:46-55.

Pastor Sam reminded us that this story has a powerful ending. In Luke 1:46, we read that Mary stayed with Elizabeth for the final trimester of Elizabeth's pregnancy, then Mary went back home. Specifically, Mary chose to return home just at the point when her own pregnancy would become obvious to others in her community, rather than hiding out at Elizabeth's home for the duration.

Mary, encouraged by the word of the Lord through Elizabeth, went home strong enough to face the ridicule and innuendo of her neighbors. It was a ridicule that lasted well into Jesus's adulthood: "I am one who testifies for Myself; My other witness is the Father, who sent Me." Then they asked Him, "Where is your father?" (John 8:18-19) The Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” (John 8:48)

People who don't recognize the work of God in us might be quick to speak a word of ridicule or disgrace. But those of us who recognize prophetic work ought to be quick to speak words of life, love, and encouragement. God, things don't look good, but You are good and Your promise is being fulfilled. Thank You for choosing to work in and through Your prophetic community.

How do you treat people who walk in obedience to God's prophetic word?
Do you encourage them, or do you ridicule them?

"De worl' treat You mean, Lawd; treat me mean too.
But please, Suh, fuhgive us Lawd; we didn't know 'twas You." (Robert MacGimsey, 1932)