Divine Recognition: C.S. Lewis on the Dance of Joy in Luke's Gospel
Author's Note: This piece imagines how C.S. Lewis might have approached the profound meeting between Mary and Elizabeth in Luke's Gospel. While Lewis never wrote explicitly about this passage, this analysis is crafted from his theological perspectives, writing style, and recurring themes found throughout his works. It aims to honor his distinctive way of illuminating scripture through reason, imagination, and joy.
In the rich tapestry of biblical narratives, few scenes capture the mysterious interplay of the divine and human quite like the meeting between Mary and Elizabeth in Luke's Gospel. While C.S. Lewis never wrote explicitly about this encounter, imagining his perspective on this profound moment offers us fresh insights into its theological significance.
The Dance of Recognition
The scene unfolds with remarkable simplicity: Mary, newly pregnant with Jesus, visits her relative Elizabeth, who carries John the Baptist in her womb. What happens next is extraordinary – at the sound of Mary's greeting, the unborn John leaps for joy, and Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit. Lewis might have noted how this moment beautifully illustrates divine recognition occurring at the most unexpected level – through an unborn child.
The Wisdom of the Unborn
Lewis would likely have been captivated by the profound irony that the first being to recognize Christ was not a learned priest, not a wise scholar, not even one of the Magi, but an unborn child. This aligns perfectly with Lewis's recurring theme of God working through the unexpected and the lowly. The Greek word used here, 'skirtao,' suggests not just any movement but an exultant leap, a dance of joy – as if John, even in the womb, couldn't help but celebrate the presence of his Lord.
Divine Choreography
The sequence of events reveals what we might call a divine choreography: John leaps, Elizabeth is filled with the Spirit, and then she pronounces what amounts to the first Christian benediction. This chain of recognition demonstrates how God's presence sets in motion a cascade of spiritual awakening. Lewis might have seen here a beautiful example of how divine revelation often works – not through complex theological arguments, but through direct, personal encounters that transform our understanding.
The Revolution of the Lowly
This scene embodies a profound revolution in human expectations. In a patriarchal society, God chooses to work through two women – one very young, one past childbearing age. The first recognition of the Messiah comes through an unborn child. The first prophecy about Him comes not from a temple priest but from an elderly woman in the hill country. Lewis often wrote about how Christianity turns our normal expectations upside down, and this scene perfectly exemplifies that principle.
The Supernatural Made Natural
One of Lewis's great gifts was his ability to make the supernatural seem natural, not by reducing it but by helping us see how it fits perfectly with God's character. In this scene, the supernatural elements – the Spirit's filling, the prophetic recognition, the leaping babe – don't feel forced or theatrical. Instead, they seem like the natural response to an extraordinary reality: God Himself has entered human history.
Joy as Recognition
Lewis, who wrote extensively about joy as a signal of transcendent reality, might have seen in John's leap a perfect example of joy as recognition – the spontaneous response of a being, however small, to the presence of its Creator. This joy isn't learned or reasoned; it's instinctive, immediate, and complete.
Conclusion: The Ongoing Dance
This ancient scene continues to speak to us today. It reminds us that God often works through the most unexpected channels, that true spiritual recognition might come through surprising sources, and that the appropriate response to divine presence is joy. As Lewis might have observed, we are all invited to join this dance of recognition, to leap with joy at the presence of the divine in our midst.
In an age that often prioritizes intellectual sophistication over spiritual sensitivity, this story stands as a reminder that sometimes the deepest truths are recognized not by our reasoning minds but by our leaping hearts. The unborn John's response to Christ's presence challenges us to maintain that same sensitivity to the divine, that same readiness to leap with joy when we encounter God in our own lives.
Through this lens, we see not just a charming biblical scene but a profound revelation of how God chooses to work in the world – through the humble, the unexpected, and those who maintain the capacity for holy joy.
