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
2026
January
In The GardenBy Your Own LawA Kingdom Not From HereThe King Who Bears Witness to the TruthWhich Jesus Will You Have?Behold the King We MockedBehold the Man, Lifted for YouAuthority from Above, Glory from the CrossBehold Your King, Lifted Up to JudgeThe Place of the SkullIt Is WrittenEvery Promise KeptStabat MaterIt Is FinishedThese Three TestifyA True TestimonyA Quiet Courage at the CrossThe Empty Tomb and the Wounded SaviorSeeing, Believing, and the Linen Left BehindCalled by Name in the GardenDo Not Cling, Go and TellPeace in Wounded HandsThe Wounds That Speak PeaceYou May Have LifeMy Lord and My GodFishingIt Is the LordThey Knew
2025
January
Not AshamedIn Every RespectWe Are In His HouseHear His VoiceTodayBut You BelieveRest in ChristRest in FaithRest in Christ’s WordConfidence in Our Great High PriestOur Eternal High PriestCalled by GracePerfect Through SufferingA Little MilkFoundationGod Comes to UsFaith in ChristObtaining the PromiseThe King of PeaceBlessed by the SuperiorA Priest Forever in ChristThe Forever PriestA Better HopeOur Eternal IntercessorOur Perfect High PriestOur Eternal High PriestThe Better Covenant in ChristA New CovenantPromises KeptOnly The High PriestNot the Blood of Goats
February
Only at DeathOnce and For AllImpossibleThe Perfect SacrificeThe Once-for-All SacrificeOnce for AllForgiven Once for AllDraw Near with a True HeartA Fearful ThingRemembering with JoyEnduranceOf Things Not SeenBecause of LoveBy FaithThe Builder is GodAs Good As DeadStrangers HereFaith in the God Who ProvidesFaith Looks Beyond the PresentBy Faith, Not FearBy Faith, Not by SightFaith That EnduresPerfected in ChristEyes on JesusDisciplineCast His Eye On YouIt HurtsWeak Knees