March 5, 2020 - THE BABY LEAPED

Day 65 - (Today’s Bible readings: Micah 2:6-13; Psalm 60; Luke 1:39-56)

THE BABY LEAPED

And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb....“For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” (Luke 1:41&44 ESV)

Our verse for today states, “The baby leaped.” These words give us several precious insights.

● The baby in Mary’s womb is very special (He is Jesus, the long-promised Messiah).

● Little John, in Elizabeth’s womb, was moved to leap in the presence of his cousin and Savior.

● There is life in the womb (we believe from the moment of conception).

We hear nothing of Elizabeth anywhere other than Luke 1. We do hear much more about Mary, the mother of our Lord. While she is filled with joy both here and at the birth of Jesus, there will be a time when she will experience the opposite, as foretold by Simeon.

And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed and a sword will pierce through your own soul also.”  (Luke 2:34&35 ESV) Mary’s soul would be pierced as she witnessed the crucifixion of her son. 

John leaped in utero at the in utero presence of the One who would die for him. The womb is a powerful place, a blessed place, an honored place. 

May we spiritually leap with joy as we remember that Jesus accomplished the complete removal of our sins when He died that first Good Friday. And may we leap with joy for every life protected in utero, born physically, and then born spiritually through Baptism.

Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to this earth as a baby so that You could die on the cross for me and for all sinners. Help me to do all that I can to protect and promote Your gifts of physical and spiritual life. Amen.

Pastor David Paape 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2020 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!