Luke 1:39-56
39 Now at this time Mary set out and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah,
40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 And how has it happened to me that the mother of my Lord would come to me?
44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.
45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”
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 bond-servant;
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 “For the Mighty One has done great things for me;
And holy is His name.
50 “And His mercy is to 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 hearts.
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 the rich away empty-handed.
54 “He has given help to His servant Israel,
In remembrance of His mercy,
55 Just as He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and his descendants forever.”
56 Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home.
The Magnificat
Prophesy by the Holy Spirit
Mary’s song (the Magnificat) is a prophecy spoken by the Holy Spirit. Let us consider the background in which this song was born. Mary left Nazareth and visited Elizabeth, who lived in the hill country of Judah (a town called Ein Kerem). By fellowshipping with Elizabeth, who was already pregnant, she likely sought comfort and encouragement. When true believers fellowship with one another, there is joy of the Holy Spirit. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice, the child leaped in her womb, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. The child who would later become John the Baptist was already, at this point, fulfilling his role as the forerunner of the Lord Jesus. As soon as Elizabeth spoke words of blessing to Mary, a song of praise overflowed from Mary’s mouth. At said in the beginning, this song of praise is a prophecy by the Holy Spirit. Why can we say that? In this time, among the Israelites, not only men but also women received biblical education. Mary’s song of praise reminds us of the prayer of Hannah, the mother of Samuel (1 Sam. 2:1-10), and it also abundantly uses quotations from the Psalms. In other words, Mary possessed a rich knowledge of Scripture, and the Holy Spirit worked upon that, enabling her to sing this wonderful song. Let us also store God’s word in our hearts through daily devotions, which the Holy Spirit will use according to the situation.
The content of song
Mary thought about what had happened to her and praised God. She rejoiced from the bottom of her heart that such grace had been given to someone like herself, who had no qualification to bear the Messiah (v 46-49). Next, she universalizes God’s grace and declares that it is something anyone can experience (v 50-53). The proud do not seek to rely on God’s grace. However, the humble and the brokenhearted can receive God’s grace. This truth remains unchanged even today. The basis of God’s grace is the covenant He made with Abraham (v 54-55). God, based on that promise, helps the people of Israel. We also, as a result of believing in Jesus the Messiah, have become Abraham’s descendants by faith. How blessed we are. Mary’s song did not arise merely from emotional exaltation but from a deep theological understanding. As Abraham’s descendants by faith, let us also praise God.
Today's prayer
Gracious God, please help me to store Your words in my heart. I ask that the Holy Spirit work through those words and transform me into a vessel that praises You. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.