They Rejoiced with Her

When her neighbors and relatives heard

how the Lord had shown great mercy to her,

they rejoiced with her.

Luke 1:58

This verse makes me wonder if Elizabeth's pregnancy was the best kept secret in the community. After all, upon becoming pregnant, she hid herself for five months, and in the sixth month, her cousin shows up pregnant, young and unwed. Perhaps they were both hiding out as a result of their conditions. But once Elizabeth's baby had been delivered into the world, the secret was out! In our world, cute little invitations showing babies dressed in blue booties would be sent out via mail, or perhaps just a quick pic snapped with our iPhone and sent to everyone in our contact list with a txt: wehadababyitzaboy! As the child's eighth day approached, neighbors and cousins began to gather for the bris--the circumcision and official naming. And since the birth of John was likely at Passover, it made it easier for all the out-of-town relatives to join in the event. I'm sure that Mary's parents, the righteous Joachim and Anna, were present, perhaps even discovering their daughters condition (I like to take a little dramatic license in imagining the scenario). But regardless of their reaction to Mary's news, they were really there for Elizabeth. And the Bible says they rejoiced!

The friends and neighbors and relatives rejoiced because the Lord had showed Elizabeth "great mercy." I took a moment to look up the meaning of the word, in a Biblical sense. It means: kindness or goodwill toward the miserable and afflicted, joined with a desire to help. Those visiting Elizabeth knew that she had spent a lifetime in barrenness. But like Sarah, like Rebekah, like Rachel, like Mrs. Manoah and Hannah...God had seen their pitiful condition and stepped in to do something about it.

We need to remember that about God. Sometimes we get too focused on the aspects of God as lawgiver and judge, as the stern father figure, the enforcer, the punisher. He is a God of justice, of holiness and high expectation. But His justice is defined by his love toward us. When he looks upon our human condition, he does so with kindness and a desire to help. Which is ultimately what this entire story is about. For God so love us that He gave His only son for us. What grace! What goodness! What mercy He has shown us!

Now that is in the context of precious salvation, and everyone is always happy about that. But what about the kindness and good will and help that He shows others around us when we ourselves may be in a time of misery and affliction. Can we rejoice and be glad over the blessings of others?

Can we rejoice over the healing of our neighbor when we are suffering in our illness?

Can we rejoice over the blessing of our friend when we have so much lack?

Can we rejoice over the success of our relative when we have encountered another setback?

Elizabeth's friends and family rejoiced. They were happy about the baby God had finally given her. There were songs and laughter and tears and gifts. Everyone wanted to see the baby, to hold the baby, to look for Elizabeth's eyes in his, or Zacharias' nose, or some else's mouth or ears. And he was oh-so-precious, and what-a-treasure, and such-a-beautiful-baby-boy!

The Bible reveals relationship between the people of God that celebrates oneness and community. We are to laugh with those who laugh, weep with those who weep! We are to rejoice over the blessings of God toward one another, even as we wait for God's blessing to come upon us. Because one day, the Lord will look upon our miserable condition and say, "You know what? I think they've gone through that long enough. I'm gonna step in and turn that thing around!" Turn your frown upside down people! God is on your side, so everybody else might as well be!

As a friend of mine used to say: Nothing bad ever happens to me; ALL things work together for my good. Someone's gonna get blessed today, and it might as well be me! But until that day comes, I'm going to rejoice with those who are getting blessed.