The Magnificat
We are familiar with many Christmas carols but did you realise there are carols in the Bible.
Today we are going to look at the first of these, Mary's song. This is better known as the Magnificat. This means magnificent. It is a song that magnifies God.
There are 3 focuses.
1/. She magnifies the Lord's personal goodness. 46 - 49
We should praise God on His blessings to all but we should also praise God for His personal blessings.
Mary's language is very scriptural. Much of it is drawn from the OT. Some is quotes from Hannah. Remember Mary is only a young teenager and she has a great knowledge of the scriptures.
Her prayer is also soulful. From the depths of her being she is glorifying God. She isn't just offering lip service. Her praise starts from her soul passes to her lips and lands with God.
Her prayer is also humble. Mary sees herself as a humble servant. Whereas she sees God as He is. Her saviour. Mary does not exalt herself at all. She was just a sinner like everyone else. Mary needed a saviour. She was truly blessed but she needed a saviour.
Mary was a lowly servant girl she tells us.
2/ Mary magnifies the Lord's far reaching mercy. 50 - 53.
Mary is not a self magnifier. God has shown His mercy down through the centuries Mary reminds us. To fear The Lord is to recognise Him as your creator and judge. Wise people fear God. Those who don't are fools. The fool says in his heart there is no God. Do we love our lives with a reverence for Him. We must give an account to God. We must recognise Him for who He is.
God is rich in mercy. We need only look at Calvary to realise this.
We also see from this passage God's mercy reverses. There were the haves and have nots then as now. The powerful and rich were proud. The weak and poor were humble.
Jesus will welcome the outcasts. He will welcome the poor. In history we have seen God reversing this she tells us. He has brought down princes and thrones. The powerful can be brought down in a moment. At the same time He is lifting up the humble. Look at Joseph or Moses or David or Esther. All insignificant in the world's eyes but who God lifted up. God opposes the proud but lifts up the humble.
This doesn't mean God rejects those who have money or will automatically bless those those who are poor. Those who have most materially feel they have little need for God.
In what am I placing my trust? My wealth? My good works? Or God?
3/. She magnifies the Lord's faithful fulfilment. 54 - 55.
She glorifies God for His fulfilment of His promises. She Talks about Abraham. He promises. He fulfilled. It took a while but His promises were fulfilled. God didn't forget His promise. He remembered.
He is remembering here again. His plan to save His people from their sins is being wrought out in Mary's womb. He would live that perfect life. He would die that horrible death. He would rise again. He would live forever in heaven.
Why?
So that I can have forgiveness of my sins. So that I can spend eternity with Him praising and glorifying Him forever.
What about you? Have you come to Him for forgiveness of your sins. Do it today.
Created 6 months ago
