Day 15, Read Luke 1:39-56

This passage is filled with joy and happiness.  The Greek has two words we usually translate “bless”.  One means to be “well spoken of” (twice in v42); the other means to be “happy” (v45,48). 

Gabriel has encouraged Mary’s faith by telling her of her Aunt Elizabeth’s pregnancy (v36).  Perhaps for that reason Mary went to visit her.  Certainly their meeting was a special occasion.  Elizabeth (and perhaps John as well, 1:15) was filled with the Spirit and spoke of Mary’s blessedness for having trusted the Lord.  While Elizabeth would have had a strong anticipation of the Messiah’s coming, given the role of her baby, it still is possible she only knew of Mary’s situation by the revealing of the Holy Spirit.

The joyfulness reaches an even higher level when Mary responds to Elizabeth with her own amazement at God’s blessing in her life.  Mary’s hymn is often called the “Magnificat”, from the Latin for “magnify” (v46).  It is similar to Hannah’s praise in 1 Sam.2:1-10, acknowledging what God has done.  Eight times Mary says “He has” done something marvelous.  Both hymns emphasize the great truth of Scripture, that God exalts the humble and humbles the exalted (Lk. 14:11; 18:14 and many other places).

·        Mary praises God for the great things He had done for her, v46-49.  She is amazed that He has even noticed her, much less entrusted her with the Son of the Highest.  By human standards Mary was an ordinary woman from an insignificant town betrothed to a regular kind of guy.  Furthermore, she realizes her need for a Savior.  Yet God has blessed her.  Holy is His Name!

·        Mary praises God for His mercy on those who fear Him, v50-53.  Mercy is that attribute of God whereby He has compassion on those who are in a bad way.  This is borne out in the way God has been merciful.  By His strength He has helped the weak while scattering the proud and putting down the mighty.  He has satisfied the hungry while those who find satisfaction in earthly riches are sent away empty. 

·        Mary praises God for helping His servant Israel, v54-56.  Mary’s praise naturally moves from her own blessing to that of the nation.  Ultimately what God is doing is using Mary to accomplish His word given again and again to the people of Israel.  Beginning with Abraham in Gen. 12:1-3 God has promised to bless Israel, and to make them a blessing to the nations.  So now Mary proclaims by the Spirit that her Child, the Son of God who will sit on David’s throne, is the fulfillment of that promise.

No wonder Mary is full of praise.  God was truly doing a magnificent work, showing His mercy to Mary, to Israel and to all mankind.  Ponder these thoughts and then sing your own hymn of praise to the Almighty!