Luke 1:56 ~ stayed with

Luke 1:56

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.




If you wander up and down the larger store aisles, you see back to school. Well, "we aren't there yet"!




We learn from the trip to Bethlehem, there are inns at the time of Jesus. We learn Mary went on Vacation. We can imagine it wasn't the fond farewell she might have been used to.


Jesus tells us He went to the Wedding in Cana and took all His Disciples and then stayed with His Mother in Nazareth for several days.

I would think most vacations were to visit family. And the travels of Jesus seem to indicate this. We also read of vast Religious pilgrimages.



The Purpose of Vacation for 2 Milleniums remains the same. The Same God yesterday, today and tomorrow who worked for 6 days and rested for His Good Pleasure on the 7th day.

Jesus would tell us what Vacation is:


Mark 6
30 Meanwhile, the apostles gathered around Jesus and brought Him news of all they had done and taught. 31 And He said to them, “Come with Me privately to a solitary place, and let us rest for a while.” For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. 32 So they went away in a boat by themselves to a solitary place.

The Greeks of the Island of Crete asked to speak to Jesus in John 12. Jesus was already far on His Journey and declined. Probably because the Pharisees had hoped Jesus would move to the Greeks in John's 7th Chapter. And the Book of Titus tells us Crete was blessed for asking for Jesus. They had offered Him rest and renewal. Titus experienced a good reception for the Good News of Jesus Christ.

God tucks away the gems of the goodness offered to Jesus for us to enjoy. Jesus delighted in Mankind in Proverbs and creation - wanting to save the world. We love our God who tells us Rest is Good.

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”


We know from the Word of God, God does not quit working and the Holy Spirit comes to stay when we invite Him to dwell in all of us.

The Spirit of God hovered over the waters of Creation. And as Jesus began to be our mediation to God, the Holy Spirit landed like a dove and stayed within Jesus for being obedient to His Father in Baptism. God calls His Spirit the Helper, the Comforter. God promises this rest and renewal will stay with us and He would never leave us orphaned. Jesus said Living Water would be with us to comfort us.


Exodus 33:14
And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Isaiah 30:15
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”

Now is God just talking about strength for more slugging along? Nehemiah knew, knew and well knew about thriving.

Nehemiah 8:10
Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks,
and send some to those who have nothing prepared.

This day is holy to our Lord.
Do not grieve,
for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Moses knew this as well.

Deuteronomy 26:11
And you shall rejoice in all the good
that the LORD your God has given to you
and to your house, you, and the Levite,
and the sojourner who is among you.

Moses knew, knew and well knew about the journeys of life. We always tend to think in our moments of boredom and slogging along that life probably resembles the desert and Manna. Giving reasons to complain to God. And the reality of reading the Exodus has the giant rock they carried with them to provide, miraculously, water for all. And the Nation who would not allow any easement for travel, and He provided livestock and goods. God did not just let them choke on all that Egyptian gold in the desert. The purpose of the cloud by day - cool temperatures. What does God do with clouds - rain and rain in the desert?

Why would God waste a Cloud? He tells us the clothes and shoes of the Children of Israel did not fall apart for 40 years. God is big, big, big with renewal.




Abba Father,

We ask Your Holy Spirit to dwell in us.

And Remember Jesus' Wisdom and see His Joy.

May God's Joy restore, renew and encourage us. And fill us to overflowing for those we Love.

Jesus, You fill our souls and lives. Thank God. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †