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TEXT: Luke 1:46-56
Today we are looking at words spoken by Mary in the first chapter of Luke. This text is often called the “Magnificat” from the first word in the Latin version which means “it praises” (with “my soul” as the subject). This song or prayer of Mary’s took place in response to seeing her pregnant relative, Elizabeth. Mary has believed God’s Word to her and Elizabeth declares her blessed for doing so. We see Mary’s faith manifest in today’s text as worship and as joy.
Worship and Joy
Mary’s song begins with worship and joy: “My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” (vv.46-47) Exalt is a worship word meaning praise or lift up as worthy. Mary’s faith and obedience didn’t result in insecurity and doubt, but in soul-worship or heart-felt praise of God. This isn’t just going through the motions as a religious exercise, but a spontaneous and authentic expression of love for God. And it’s not just worship – lifting God up as worthy; it is also joy-filled, as Mary rejoices in her spirit over God’s salvation.
Do you ever feel like God is trying to get your attention, speak to you, or do something in your life? I don’t ask to get you to do something for me or the church, but to encourage your growth in knowledge and love of God… to tune in to God in your life. Not only is that one good definition of worship, it also results in deep joy and real satisfaction, the kind we find ourselves pursuing without knowing it and the kind Mary demonstrates in her song.
It is worth noting that Mary does not focus for long on what God has done for her, but is drawn to the way God is faithful in all generations. This is the difference between thinking about or praying to a Santa Claus Jesus and tuning in to a saving God who is at work in the world. God isn’t about me; I need to be about God!
Heavy Burdens
As with many of her people in that time, Mary struggled under the weight of Roman rule and oppression. She also faced an unexpected pregnancy and the challenge of giving birth and making a way forward as well as the divine message that her child would be the Messiah. And yet you wouldn’t know Mary was weighed down by these many burdens from reading or hearing her prayer. The joy with which she begins her words carries through the details of the challenges around her, lightening the heavy load as she rested those things in God’s hands.
Most of Mary’s song is spent describing what God has done. What jumps out at me are the “highs and lows” – that is, the language of exaltation and humility. I counted as many as twelve words or phrases that speak to position or perspective. God “has regard for the humble”; God has “scattered the proud”; and so on.
Mary sets an example for us of how God is to be honored and adored, and the joy that brings to her life. And not only does Mary lift God up in worship, she declares God’s mighty deeds. She sings of what God has done and will do. God’s justice and salvation will accomplish two things: exaltation of the humble and humbling of the exalted.
God will raise up those who are humble and turn to him in need. Mary begins by describing how God “had regard” for her own situation – the “humble state of His bondservant” (v. 48). She is marveling that God would choose someone so young and lowly as herself to give birth to the Messiah. But she moves past this “great thing” God has done for her to praise God for His faithfulness over the generations. God’s mighty deeds include mercy and compassion for “those who fear Him (v. 50)… those who were humble (v. 52)… the hungry (v. 53)… Israel His servant (v. 54).”
But God also has judgment for those who put themselves in His place to take advantage of others – the proud, the unjust rulers, the selfish rich. God will scatter those proud, bring down those rulers, and send away those rich empty-handed. This is a declaration of God’s judgment and justice, to be accomplished provisionally on earth and finally in Heaven.
Both in God raising up the lowly and in God humbling the so-called mighty, God will be shown to be both merciful King and faithful God.
The Faithfulness of God (vv.54-55)
Finally, this song – the Magnificat – is not primarily about celebrating what God is doing for Mary. Rather, it starts out of amazement at God’s miracle and moves to Mary marveling at God’s faithfulness in human history, coming to an amazing and miraculous point in her own generation and life.
Mary punctuates and concludes her song with reminders of God’s faithfulness. (In v. 50) She quotes Psalm 104 about God’s faithfulness from generation to generation… a phrase that will also figure prominently in the Pentecost outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Then (vv. 54-55) she remembers God’s covenant promise to Abraham, and acknowledges God’s faithfulness in fulfilling those promises through the birth of the Messiah.
Realize that Mary wasn’t living in a vacuum, but was of a generation of Jewish people who had grown up believing in and waiting for God to act. Particularly under the degree of persecution and struggle experienced within the Roman occupation of their country, the longing for the Messiah was keen indeed. Mary seemed to naturally and faithfully make the move from “What is God doing in me?” to “What is God doing around me?” And that’s the question I want to leave with you as we try to understand and apply these stories to our own lives.
What is God Doing around Me?
Mary recognized that God was trying to get her attention, was speaking to her, and did desire to do something in her life. But, accepting all that and putting herself in God’s hands, she realized that what God was doing was bigger than her life. That not only brought her joy in the midst of her burdens and challenges, but also shifted her focus to how she could be a part of what God was doing and serve Him.
That’s the opportunity and invitation for us: to experience a joy that lightens our burdens and a recognition of how we can be a part of what God is doing.
How do you get that joy? How do you bring into focus what God is doing?
Following the course of Mary’s prayer-song is one great way. Start with a declaration of worship, of who God is and how you have experienced God in your life. Recognize God’s interest in the world and in establishing His mercy, justice, and salvation in your life and in the here and now. And look for opportunities to be a part of what God is doing.
Christmas celebrates God’s premiere demonstration of “doing in the world.” With the birth of Jesus, God was not only fulfilling generations of promise, but definitively demonstrating that He is God with us and for us, a sovereign Creator with a deep love and interest in those He created.
We don’t sing “Joy to the World” for nothing. Scripture says that “the joy of the Lord is my strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). The news that God is involved in the world, has sent His Son and our Savior into the world, and continues to act is joy indeed.
“What is God doing and how can I be a part” is a worthy Christmas question and one I commend to you today. It is not a burden to be obedient to the Lord; it is a joy, and one that lightens every load.
“Come to me all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Jesus spoke those words as an adult, but they sound a lot like a song his mother once sang. May it ring in your heart as well this day. Amen.