Mary's Song
This week we are exploring Luke 1:26-56.
After she was welcomed and recognized as the mother of the Messiah by her relative (Elizabeth), young Mary burst into song! I was wondering, first of all, why such a sudden outpouring. Then I read that the journey from Mary’s home to Elizabeth and Zechariah’s home was a trip of 3-5 days. For her own safety, Mary would no doubt have joined a caravan heading that way. As she was traveling with the caravan, she would not have talked with anyone about what was really on her mind – so all she could do was ponder and reflect – and maybe chat about being betrothed to Joseph. All this time, she would have been quietly remembering Gabriel’s visit, his telling her she would be the mother of God’s Son, and reflecting on what she knew of God, His promises, and the scriptures. So, when she finally got to Elizabeth and realized that Elizabeth understood, young Mary unloaded this beautiful song that had been forming in her heart on the whole journey. Finally, she could release her song!
Her song in Luke 2:46-55 is called “The Magnificat” (Latin for “it magnifies”), because its words magnify God, her Savior. She begins her song: “My soul magnifies the Lord.” (Luke 2:46) Her words echo the song of Hannah in the Old Testament and are steeped in the words of the Psalms and the Prophets, words that would have been familiar to a young Jewish girl. (Luke 2:46-55)
She acknowledges what God has done for her by saying “He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.” (Luke 2:49) And then she leaves herself out of the remainder of the song – focusing solely on the One she wants to magnify. She sings of His mercy, His strength, His putting down of the proud and the mighty, His exalting the lowly, His help to Israel.
It is stunning that these words come from the mouth of a 12 or 13-yr-old girl; but at this point, God is doing something amazing in Mary – preparing her to be the mother of His Son. He is filling her with His Spirit, equipping her, and even inspiring her in this song. Just as she stepped back from being the theme of her song -- letting her words glorify God alone -- she also stepped back from Jesus’ story – soon to become His mother, but staying in the background – because she knew that it was HIS story, not hers.
How does your life magnify the Lord? Even though your story might be a really good one, HIS story is the one that matters. Are you sharing that story?
By Judy Shrout
After she was welcomed and recognized as the mother of the Messiah by her relative (Elizabeth), young Mary burst into song! I was wondering, first of all, why such a sudden outpouring. Then I read that the journey from Mary’s home to Elizabeth and Zechariah’s home was a trip of 3-5 days. For her own safety, Mary would no doubt have joined a caravan heading that way. As she was traveling with the caravan, she would not have talked with anyone about what was really on her mind – so all she could do was ponder and reflect – and maybe chat about being betrothed to Joseph. All this time, she would have been quietly remembering Gabriel’s visit, his telling her she would be the mother of God’s Son, and reflecting on what she knew of God, His promises, and the scriptures. So, when she finally got to Elizabeth and realized that Elizabeth understood, young Mary unloaded this beautiful song that had been forming in her heart on the whole journey. Finally, she could release her song!
Her song in Luke 2:46-55 is called “The Magnificat” (Latin for “it magnifies”), because its words magnify God, her Savior. She begins her song: “My soul magnifies the Lord.” (Luke 2:46) Her words echo the song of Hannah in the Old Testament and are steeped in the words of the Psalms and the Prophets, words that would have been familiar to a young Jewish girl. (Luke 2:46-55)
She acknowledges what God has done for her by saying “He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.” (Luke 2:49) And then she leaves herself out of the remainder of the song – focusing solely on the One she wants to magnify. She sings of His mercy, His strength, His putting down of the proud and the mighty, His exalting the lowly, His help to Israel.
It is stunning that these words come from the mouth of a 12 or 13-yr-old girl; but at this point, God is doing something amazing in Mary – preparing her to be the mother of His Son. He is filling her with His Spirit, equipping her, and even inspiring her in this song. Just as she stepped back from being the theme of her song -- letting her words glorify God alone -- she also stepped back from Jesus’ story – soon to become His mother, but staying in the background – because she knew that it was HIS story, not hers.
How does your life magnify the Lord? Even though your story might be a really good one, HIS story is the one that matters. Are you sharing that story?
By Judy Shrout
Recent
Archive
2021
January
New BeginningsBe a LightPraying for the Gospel to AdvancePraying for Church LeadershipPraying for RestorationPraying for the Persecuted ChurchPraying for Our NationBridging the GapJesus UnderstandsYour Spiritual TankMade to WorshipProtection and WisdomDeliver Us From TemptationWholly Following the LordDistinguishing Characteristics of a True Disciple of ChristLoving Others as God Loves UsOvercoming Resistance to the GospelHow to Love Your EnemiesWinning Influence with Reciprocating LoveF-O-C-U-SA Job RejectionRejected by Your FamilyRejected by Church PeopleRejected for Your ViewpointThe Most Dangerous Rejection of AllWhat Are You Seeing?
February
112 YearsJesus Is Followed - Beth's StoryJesus Is Followed - Bryce's StoryJesus Is Followed - Jeff's StoryJesus Is Followed - Lily's StoryJesus Is Followed - Sarah's StoryClean SlateTake. Your MatHe Ain't HeavyFind Another WayPick Up And GoIt's Not About This LifeMan's Rules & God's LawLord of the SabbathTo Do Good or HarmWithered-Hand FaithGrace and TruthLooking for the RootsThe Wandering PathA Powerful ForceFinally!Do You See Them?
2020
March
I Am The Good Shepherd Shepherd LeadershipI Am the Good Shepherd that Keeps the GateShepherding the TeamI Am The Good Shepherd: A Note from a Thankful SheepTime OutFour DaysUp from the GraveResurrection LifeThe Shadow of DeathMore Than an Empty TombLet\'s Not Get DistractedThis Is No Time to Be TroubledJesus Christ Is The Way
April
Jesus Christ Is The TruthJesus Christ Is The LifeAn Inconvenient TruthPalm SundayI Am The VineJust Do ItI Am The DoorCuttingsThe StruggleGood FridayThe DoorAbundant GraceAbundant SalvationAbundant SecurityAbundant LifeThe Thank You NoteBreakthrough PrayerLetter to the ChurchA Time for Great ThingsPrayer for a BreakthroughThe Day of ChristAs Far As the Eye Can SeeLoosen the ChainsNothing to FearOn the Same SideWhat Are You Living For?
May
Stand Firm in One SpiritOur God of CertaintyWhy Desire Humility?The Joy of HumilityHumility in ActionThe Ultimate Example of HumilityThe Glory of HumilityThe Faith of a Mom and a GrandmotherKeep OnCelebrate Your DecisionLet Your Light ShineHow Are You Being Poured Out?Be an EncouragementManna from HeavenSafeguarding Your HeartThe Proper Way to BoastHaving Nothing to Offer GodChrist Is All I Want and NeedOn Knowing ChristNo Greater LoveBiblical ObedienceBiblical MaturityBack to ShoreEnemies of the CrossA Bridge to HeavenIt's About Time
June
A New Way of ThinkingThe Lord Is at HandWait to WorryReal PeaceRight ThinkingSuch a Time as ThisA Lesson from Homer SimpsonHesitationThe Power RangerPep TalkSea Billows RollDo You See Them as Gifts?The God QuestionA Hopeless JourneyThe Hope of GraceDon't Miss the PartyThe Joyful GodWho's Listening AnywayThe InheritanceWhat Do You See?Give Me, Give Me, Give MeTearful PrayersFaithfulnessGo and DoIt Seems GoodTrust the Creator
July
Welcome His PeaceLet Us SingGod Is AbleOur Dependence on GodJealousyWhat Dreams Are Made OfServant LeaderChoosing ForgivenessCourage To Be TransformedHeaven and Earth ReuniteHope ReachesA Hope EternalA Hope InheritedHope RebuildsHope UnseenThe Promise of HopeOur Hope Comes From The LordThe Lord Takes Care of His PeopleFree from HarmThe Protective Hand of God\'s Loving CareThe Security of God\'s Watchful LoveThe Traveling TabernacleCommunityCommunityThe FloodThe Cool KidOpposites Attract
August
Open Our EyesThe Call to DiscipleshipA Strategy to Change the WorldImitators of ChristGrowth in Uncertain TimesA Legacy of DiscipleshipHard QuestionsQuestionsThe Answer, Part OneThe Answer, Part TwoThe Answer, Part ThreeThe Answer, Part FourUsing What God Has Given UsBest Laid PlansLive Without LimitsWhat Do You Want To Do?Unlimited SupplyJust A ... ?Who Is Jesus To You?Why Do the Wicked Prosper?Living By ConvictionThere's No Price Too HighAn Epoch BattleConfusion: A Sign of Trouble AheadDay and NightBuilding Brave
September
The Faith GapWhen Bravery CallsFor Such A Time As ThisBravery In The SilenceOpen Our EyesThe Cheese Stands AloneDreamThe StandoffStrengthFather Knows BestAmbassador for ChristPapa BearBest Seat In The HouseWaiting On The LordThe Last Chapterin God\'s Tender CareDo Not Be AnxiousFinish The PlayA New DecreeThat All Might KnowThe Formula For BraveryHow Will You Respond?Stepping Out In FaithHappily Ever After?P.S.Superlatives
October
The Final Curtain CallBraveLet Your Light ShineThe God Who SeeksI Once Was Blind But Now I SeeSalvation for the Chief of SinnersA Picture of RepentanceJesus Is The Son of GodThe Red BinGoAllInAlwaysJesusOur Identity In ChristThe Christian Duty to ForgiveJesus Paid Our Sin Debt In FullThe Power of Forgiveness ExperiencedThe Consequences of UnforgivenessThe Freedom of ForgivenessDo Not Be Conformed to the WorldBetter Than I DeserveGrace Considers Us WorthyGrace Seeks OutGrace ExtendedUnconditional GraceNovember 3, 2020 | HopeGod Is ConsistentNovember 2, 2020 | Never Alone
November
November 4, 2020 | Stand the HeatNosy NeighborsUnintended ConsequencesCultivating a Biblical View of Sorrow in the Midst of a Global PandemicIt's About MoneyBeing ShrewdAre You Rich?PrioritiesThe Big IdeaThe Bigger PictureDifficult SilenceDifficult AnswersReverent HonestyHumble WaitingFrowning ProvidenceLove One AnotherGod's Love Is...Write It DownTalk It OutPandemic FatiqueHappy Thanksgiving!Stuff-MartSilenceFocusing On The EternalKnowledge of God is a Prerequisite of Faith
December
Praising God by Remembering His FaithfulnessThe Relationship Between Fear and FaithThe Transformation of Affirming FaithThe Freedom of HumilityFaith In The StormThe Adventure of AdventA Sure FoundationA Long SilenceA Divine MessengerA Doubting ResponseGod RemembersChristmas Is Still Worth CelebratingNothing New Under The SunNazareth?Highly Favored OneNow THAT'S An Understatement!He KNOWS You!Mary's SongReading Like An Ancient HebrewGo Tell It On The MountainWonder In The FamiliarOur High PriestThe Horn of SalvationTo My Grandmothers, With LoveMerry Christmas!Hope In JesusThree DaysNow I Can Die in PeaceWait, What?Rejection