He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. ... At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. [Luke 1:15,41]
There have been two visits to earth by the angel Gabriel. He first visits Zechariah, husband of Elizabeth, foretelling the birth of his son John, the Baptist. Gabriel later visits the virgin, Mary, prophesying the birth of her son Jesus, the Messiah. These two visits are woven together as Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth.
What do you think it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit? Have you ever considered the idea that one can be filled with the Spirit before they are born? One thing that this passage seems to teach us is that this is not a 'normal' occurrence. This spiritual filling 'normally' happens after birth when one is born again.
Yet John's filling was different. The Baptist was filled in his mother's womb. In the presence of the unborn Messiah the "child leaped within her". And as he leapt, the way was being prepared for the coming of the Messiah. And in that sense, we begin our preparation when we are filled with the Holy Spirit.
Come Holy Spirit. Fill us that we might prepare your way in this time of Lent.
... this devotion is part of a series about John the Baptist.
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