A Leap of Faith
Luke 1:41-43
And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”
+
A Leap of Faith
The baby John, still in his mother’s womb, leaps with joy at the sound of Mary’s voice, at being in the presence of Jesus, God’s Son. This was no mere physical response, like all babies do at various times in their mother’s wombs. This was a leap of faith. John reacted in faith to the presence of his Savior, even though they both, by today’s standards, would not even be considered people, worthy of protection. This passage shows us the Holy Spirit does indeed work faith in God’s people when and where He chooses. Our faith is not our doing, but is a free gift, unearned and unmerited. Which is why we, guided by the Holy Spirit, also bring our infants to God’s font in Holy Baptism. Children need what Christ offers: forgiveness.
During this Advent season, we also rely on the faith we have been given. Faith that points us to His Word and Sacraments to sustain us. Faith that rests in God’s promise that Jesus will return for us, whether individually in our own death, or collectively on that last day of history. Faith that sustains us in the face of trials and temptations. Faith knows that God’s promises will surely be fulfilled.
And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”
+
A Leap of Faith
The baby John, still in his mother’s womb, leaps with joy at the sound of Mary’s voice, at being in the presence of Jesus, God’s Son. This was no mere physical response, like all babies do at various times in their mother’s wombs. This was a leap of faith. John reacted in faith to the presence of his Savior, even though they both, by today’s standards, would not even be considered people, worthy of protection. This passage shows us the Holy Spirit does indeed work faith in God’s people when and where He chooses. Our faith is not our doing, but is a free gift, unearned and unmerited. Which is why we, guided by the Holy Spirit, also bring our infants to God’s font in Holy Baptism. Children need what Christ offers: forgiveness.
During this Advent season, we also rely on the faith we have been given. Faith that points us to His Word and Sacraments to sustain us. Faith that rests in God’s promise that Jesus will return for us, whether individually in our own death, or collectively on that last day of history. Faith that sustains us in the face of trials and temptations. Faith knows that God’s promises will surely be fulfilled.
Recent
Archive
2024
January
The Lord Keeps for HimselfAll Day LongFaith Comes By HearingSalvation Has ComeGrafted InStand Fast By FaithKindness and SeverityThe MysteryMercy on AllUnsearchableLiving SacrificesGiftsGenuine LoveThe Meaning of LifeGod EstablishedThe Summary of the Law is LoveThe Armor of LightMade to StandLiving to the LordEvery Knee Shall BowStumbling BlockTrue FreedomServant of the ChurchOur ExampleFellow WorkersAbound in HopeA Good TeacherGod’s WorkTravel PlansThe Fullness of His BlessingStrive TogetherWelcomeGreet One AnotherWatch Out
February
GreetingsAble to StrengthenAuthorityBlessed BeRedemption in His BloodSpiritual BlessingsGive ThanksDead Men WalkingBy GraceSeparatedGod's WorkmanshipBy GraceImmeasurable RichesBrought NearNo More HostilityTotal AccessFellow CitizensFor This ReasonMystery RevealedLeast of AllEternal PurposeFaith in HimSpiritual StrengthAbundant GiftWalk in LoveGifts to MenChrist's MeasureUnity of the FaithTo and Fro
March
Truth in LoveWalking a New PathA New SelfPut Away FalsehoodNew LifeImitators of GodSons of DisobedienceChildren of LightThe Will of the LordOne FleshFilled with the SpiritThe Church SubmitsChrist LovesProfound MysteryChildren of PromiseBring Them UpBondservants of ChristYour MasterStrong in the LordThe Whole Armor of GodStand FirmLove IncorruptibleGrace and PeaceHope Laid UpRedemptionThe Fullness of GodReconciledThe Hope of GloryToilGreat StruggleRooted in Christ