Scripture Study for

Micah’s prophecy states that salvation will come from an insignificant village rather than from the royal city; the power of the ruler comes from God; and a time of trial will be followed by a time of security and peace. Since Bethlehem was the place of David’s origin, the reference is rich in early royal importance that is quite distinct from any association with Jerusalem, the dynastic capital of the present reigning royal family. The new ruler promised will be called forth for God and strengthened by God. His rule will be like that of a shepherd who leads, protects,  and provides for those in his care. 

The passage from Hebrews contains a contrast between the ancient sacrificial ritual and the sacrifice of Christ. Though compliance to the will of God is clearly stated, the specific focus is Christ’s offering of his body. The author argues that  Christ annuls the first kind of sacrifice (external adherence to law) in order to establish the second (internal obedience). By freely offering his body in sacrifice,  Christ identifies his own will with the will of God. We are sanctified through this same sacrifice, not through any sacrifice required by law. For it was through his human body, a body like ours, that he demonstrated his obedience. 

In the Gospel passage, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and proclaims her faith in the child that Mary is carrying. Elizabeth realizes that she is in the presence of God, and so she rejoices. It is as if Mary is the ark and the child within her is the glory of God. In response to this wondrous experience, Elizabeth exalts first Mary and then her child. She does not pronounce a blessing over them.  Instead, she recognizes the blessedness that they possess and she praises it. This blessedness is derived from the dignity of the child, a dignity that Elizabeth acknowledges by referring to him as her Lord (kýrios).