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."
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."
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.
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