SERVICE VIDEO (link)TEXT: Luke 1:46-56

Today we are looking at words spoken by Mary in the first chapter of Luke. This text is often called the “Magnificat” from the first word in the Latin version which means “it praises” (with “my soul” as the subject). This song or prayer of Mary’s took place in response to seeing her pregnant relative, Elizabeth. Mary has believed God’s Word to her and Elizabeth declares her blessed for doing so. We see Mary’s faith manifest in today’s text as worship and as joy.

Worship and Joy

Mary’s song begins with worship and joy: “My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” (vv.46-47) Exalt is a worship word meaning praise or lift up as worthy. Mary’s faith and obedience didn’t result in insecurity and doubt, but in soul-worship or heart-felt praise of God. This isn’t just going through the motions as a religious exercise, but a spontaneous and authentic expression of love for God. And it’s not just worship – lifting God up as worthy; it is also joy-filled, as Mary rejoices in her spirit over God’s salvation.

Do you ever feel like God is trying to get your attention, speak to you, or do something in your life? I don’t ask to get you to do something for me or the church, but to encourage your growth in knowledge and love of God… to tune in to God in your life. Not only is that one good definition of worship, it also results in deep joy and real satisfaction, the kind we find ourselves pursuing without knowing it and the kind Mary demonstrates in her song.

It is worth noting that Mary does not focus for long on what God has done for her, but is drawn to the way God is faithful in all generations. This is the difference between thinking about or praying to a Santa Claus Jesus and tuning in to a saving God who is at work in the world. God isn’t about me; I need to be about God!

Heavy Burdens

As with many of her people in that time, Mary struggled under the weight of Roman rule and oppression. She also faced an unexpected pregnancy and the challenge of giving birth and making a way forward as well as the divine message that her child would be the Messiah. And yet you wouldn’t know Mary was weighed down by these many burdens from reading or hearing her prayer. The joy with which she begins her words carries through the details of the challenges around her, lightening the heavy load as she rested those things in God’s hands.

Most of Mary’s song is spent describing what God has done. What jumps out at me are the “highs and lows” – that is, the language of exaltation and humility. I counted as many as twelve words or phrases that speak to position or perspective. God “has regard for the humble”; God has “scattered the proud”; and so on.

Mary sets an example for us of how God is to be honored and adored, and the joy that brings to her life. And not only does Mary lift God up in worship, she declares God’s mighty deeds. She sings of what God has done and will do. God’s justice and salvation will accomplish two things: exaltation of the humble and humbling of the exalted.

God will raise up those who are humble and turn to him in need. Mary begins by describing how God “had regard” for her own situation – the “humble state of His bondservant” (v. 48). She is marveling that God would choose someone so young and lowly as herself to give birth to the Messiah. But she moves past this “great thing” God has done for her to praise God for His faithfulness over the generations. God’s mighty deeds include mercy and compassion for “those who fear Him (v. 50)… those who were humble (v. 52)… the hungry (v. 53)… Israel His servant (v. 54).”

But God also has judgment for those who put themselves in His place to take advantage of others – the proud, the unjust rulers, the selfish rich. God will scatter those proud, bring down those rulers, and send away those rich empty-handed. This is a declaration of God’s judgment and justice, to be accomplished provisionally on ear