Mary’s Song – Luke 1:46-55
Introduction: What Is Mary’s Song?
Of the four gospels, Luke’s is the only one to speak of Mary’s song. Her words are found in Luke 1:46-55. Mary is visiting with her cousin Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. Upon that visit, Elizabeth asked in verse 43, “How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Mary is aware that she is going to give birth to the Christ child. The angel Gabriel has spoken to her and shared God’s plan. But it seems that when she hears Elizabeth’s question, she is overtaken with a spirit of praise.
Mary’s song is a song of praise. She is not just sharing her thoughts with her cousin. She is saying that the Lord is great, and her spirit is rejoicing with the news that has come to her.
Today, Mary’s song is called The Magnificat, meaning “my soul magnifies the Lord” in Latin. It can be heard in Catholic services as well as Lutheran and Anglican. Her song has been copied into the Book of Common Prayer and for most Protestant churches, is sung during the Advent season.
What Is the Significance of Mary’s Song?
One might wonder why Mary’s song would be considered significant. Are they not just words spoken in a moment of happiness? The truth is that her song speaks of who she is and how deep her faith is. In verses 46-47, she says, “My soul praises the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Mary’s faith is rooted in Jewish tradition. We can surmise that she has come from a devout Jewish family and she believes in the God of her ancestors.
Her faith is further established in verses 48-50. Here she speaks of God looking on a humble servant with favor. She acknowledges that God is taking her humble status and using it to exalt her for generations to come. In verse 49 Mary says that she will be called blessed because “the Mighty One has done great things for me, and his name is holy.” She praises God for the mercy he bestows on all who will fear him.
In the last four verses of her song, she speaks of the wondrous things God has done for her ancestors, for her, and for all who will believe. Her recognition of the mighty deeds God has performed and the mercies He has given to the people of Israel is significant. She is telling us that while she may be nervous about her situation, she knows God has it all under control. He would not give her this blessing only to abandon her.
verse 43, “How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”
Transition: Mary’s song has strong moral, social, and economic threads throughout. It is woven within her powerful words as she praises God for the blessing he has bestowed upon her.
Mary
- Overcoming Anxiety in the Process
- He toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly.
- He satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty-handed.
Mary is quoting Psalm 22; 44, 103, and many others! Her songs are saturated with Scripture.
- We Celebrate that Christ came to Us – Luke 19:43
Elizabeth asked in Luke 19 verse 43, “How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”
Application: Why me Lord? Of all the people, of all of those in my poor neighborhood; etc…
Mary’s song is a song of praise. She is not just sharing her thoughts with her cousin. She is saying that the Lord is great, and her spirit is rejoicing with the news that has come to her.
Today, Mary’s song is called The Magnificat, meaning “my soul magnifies the Lord” in Latin. It can be heard in Catholic services as well as Lutheran and Anglican. Her song has been copied into the Book of Common Prayer and for most Protestant churches, is sung during the Advent season.
- No one is out of Reach – Luke 19:48-50
Mary speaks of God looking on a humble servant with favor.
Song: ‘Such Love, that God could save a sinner such as I..’
- In our weakness he is made strong – Luke 19:51
‘He has done a mighty deed with his arm; he has scattered the proud…’
- That in our desperation, He came – Luke 19:53
‘He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.
Song: ‘And now, let the weak say I am strong, let the poor saw I am rich, because of what the Lord has done.’
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