Skip to main content

Mary's Song for the Hungry

Today is Wednesday of the second week of Advent.  I love the story that the Gospel of Luke tells about Jesus' birth.  He gives much more details and material than any of the other Gospels.  He tells us of God sending the angel Gabriel first to Zechariah, the old priest, to tell him that he and his wife were going to have a son, John, who would be the forerunner for the Messiah's coming.

Then he tells of the Angel's visit to the young virgin Mary to tell her that she was going to bear God's Son - the Messiah - the one who would be named Jesus and save all who put their faith in Him from their sin.
Yesterday we revisited the story of Mary and Elizabeth's meeting and the baby John growing inside of Elizabeth "leaping" in her womb - a baby prophesying of Jesus' birth.

As Mary listens to Elizabeth proclaim the truth of what God is doing, she says:  Luke 1:45 
45  "And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord."

It is all too much, and Mary breaks forth in her own song....It is called The Magnificat, because it embraces the Latin words for "exalts".

Luke 1:46-55
46  And Mary said: "My soul exalts the Lord,
47  And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48  "For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.
49  "For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name.
50  "AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM.
51  "He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.
52  "He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble.
53  "HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS; And sent away the rich empty-handed.
54  "He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy,
55  As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever."

 Why is Mary so filled with praise?  Why is she overflowing with Joy?  Look at the words carefully. 
  • The Mighty one has done something great for her
  • He is Merciful, and not just to her, but to every generation even to today when we revere Him and seek to follow his ways.
  • He cares not for the proud, nor those who are power-hungry, but lifts the humble up...AND,
  • He fills those who are really hungry for Him with good things...
Jesus said it 30+ years later - Matthew 5:6 
6  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 

Mary reminds me, reminds us, that God loves to see people who are hungry - long for the fullness of Him - they will be filled up with Joy even as Mary is filled with Joy that overflows into Praise.




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hands Full of Parcels

"A Man whose hands are full of parcels can't receive a gift."   - C. S. Lewis Romans 4:13-16 (ESV) 13  For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14  For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15  For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. 16  That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all... The last four days have been best described by the word "fatigue".  It's not an uncommon word in our vocabulary.  Listless, tired, sore.  1300 miles of car travel, being sick, not sleeping well, and eating poorly all add up to the word - fatigue.   Someone onc...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Tabernacle

The readings today are Exodus 36, 37, 38 I wanted to post some pictures of what these various parts of the Tabernacle looked like. It's not the easiest read in the world, but if you persevere through it, you can get a picture of all the different pieces that made up the tabernacle. It is a replica of the various parts of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness: First thing in the chapter listed is the outside of the tabernacle which consisted of curtains tied together and put on cross bars through loops. Next at the beginning of 37 is the table and lampstand: Also, the altar of incense: And, the altar for the burnt offering which was in the courtyard: Finally, the courtyard which made it all come together: Hope that helps with what it might have all looked like. Most importantly, this was their "place" of worship they were building. I hope you have a great day of worship. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
1 comment
Read more

The difference between defending and explaining

The news of recent has focused the suffering of Christians in the middle east who have been martyred for their faith in Christ at the hands of Islamic Terrorists. Through the centuries many Christians have lost their lives as a result of their faith. For us, who live in America, there is little chance that we would have this happen here - but it's entirely possibly that terrorism will strike out at Christians sometime.  But, for many Christians in the western world - especially here in the U.S. - being a Christians who believes God's word there is a form of persecution that is defined by words like "ostracized", "passed over", "ridiculed", and more. What do we do in the face of opposition to faith? When the Apostle Peter writes to the early believers who are undergoing great pressure, even persecution for their faith in Jesus, he gives them this charge. 1 Peter 3:8-18 8  Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly lov...
1 comment
Read more