And Mary said, “My
soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has
looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations
will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and
holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to
generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in
the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and
the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in
remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his
offspring forever.”
And Mary remained
with her about three months and returned to her home (Luke 1:46-56).
On the heels of Elizabeth’s confirmation of
Mary’s belief in… “A fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord”
(Luke 1:45), the humble virgin was inspired to praise the Lord. The Holy
Spirit moved Luke to record her words in what has come to be known as The
Magnificat. The Church has transposed Mary’s praise into a hymn also known as
The Song of Mary. In this spontaneous outpouring of praise Mary revealed three
truths the Teacher deemed worthy to be recorded in the Bible for truth seekers
like us. These truths are indispensable to our salvation as they are revealed by
the gospel in the Magnificat.
Mary confessed the truth about herself,
that she was a sinner. She acknowledged her need for a personal Savior with the
words… “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior”. She took the first
step toward salvation by confessing her humble estate before the mercy of God. In
her song of praise, Mary revealed a second indispensable step for all who would
be saved from the consequences of sin as she confessed that she was a sinner
who needed a Savior… “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Mary confirmed the truth about God,
that He alone could be her Savior. She presented the indispensable gospel truth
that there is only one Savior, the Lord God of Israel… “I, I am the LORD,
and besides me there is no savior” (Isaiah 43:11). Gabriel told Joseph
to name the child Mary carried in her womb Jesus because He would save sinners…
“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save
his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). In her song of praise, Mary
confirmed the divinity of Christ, later affirmed by Jesus himself… “I
and the Father are one” (John 10:30) and confirmed by the Spirit
through the pens of Paul… “The glory of our great God and Savior Jesus
Christ” (Titus 2:13) and of Peter… “By the righteousness of our
God and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1).
Mary committed herself to the mercy of
God toward sinners. She revealed her understanding of the motivation of God in
sending His Son to Earth with her words… “In remembrance of his mercy, as
he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever”. It
was God’s mercy that would transform her humble estate, inspire generations to
call her blessed, exalt all those of humble estate, and fill the hungry. This is
God’s mercy revealed in His words to Abraham about his offspring Israel… “But
you, Israel… You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off;
fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will
strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”
(Isaiah 41:8-10). This is the mercy God promised to bless the nations
with… “I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give
to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the
earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 26:4). This is the mercy for all
sinners that God promised to send through Abraham’s offspring Israel… “Of
this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised”
(Acts 13:23). In her song of praise, Mary committed herself fully to
dependence on God’s mercy just as all sinners must in order to receive forgiveness
from the Lord… “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13).
As we grow up into Christ our lives should
echo the truths first proclaimed by the mother of Jesus in…
The Gospel in the Magnificat.
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