TOPIC: CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
TEXT: Luke 1:39-56(NKJV)
1:39. Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah,
1:40. and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
1:41. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
1:42. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed [are] you among women, and blessed [is] the fruit of your womb!
1:43. “But why [is] this [granted] to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
1:44. “For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
1:45. “Blessed [is] she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”
1:46. And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,
1:47. And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
1:48. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
1:49. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy [is] His name.
1:50. And His mercy [is] on those who fear Him From generation to generation.
1:51. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered [the] proud in the imagination of their hearts.
1:52. He has put down the mighty from [their] thrones, And exalted [the] lowly.
1:53. He has filled [the] hungry with good things, And [the] rich He has sent away empty.
1:54. He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of [His] mercy,
1:55. As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.”
1:56. And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.
STUDY:
Christian fellowship thrives on two essential pillars: a deep personal communion with God and a meaningful and loving relationship with fellow believers. These two arms of fellowship-vertical with the Divine and horizontal with humanity-together form the foundation of a vibrant, holistic Christian community. Today’s passage focuses on the blessedness of believers fellowshipping with one another. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together as it is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.. (Hebrew 10: 24-25). Consequent upon Mary’s angelic visitation as we have read in previous days (v 28-37), she thought it wise to visit her cousin Elizabeth to felicitate with her and possibly to render any needed assistance during her prenatal days (remember Elizabeth was pregnant at old age) (v 7,24-6,39& 56). However, a causal Christian fellowship soon gave birth to another dimension of spiritual edification and empowerment (v41-55). Friend, do you think Mary had it in her mind that her visit to her cousin was going further establish what Angel Gabriel said to her prior to the visit? No, she simply went to fellowship! Our horizontal fellowship with one another is as important as our vertical relationship with God. There are many benefits we stand to derive from it; ranging from physical (services, encouragement, financial empowerment and bailouts, conflict resolution, sharing burden, correction and advise, etc.) to spiritual (intercession, Bible study, words of wisdom, etc.).
ACTION:
Make up your mind today to commit yourself more deeply into fellowshipping with other believers.
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