A 5-day per week study.
March 9 – Reading Luke 1:39-56
Read and believe in Jesus.
“My soul magnifies the Lord,” Luke 1:46
.
The Gospel according to Luke 1:39-56
The last scripture we looked at told us how Gabriel’s message to the young betrothed Mary about becoming the mother of the Messiah was accepted with humble grace. “Let it be to me according to Your word,” although Mary had to know the problems that would arise in explaining her pregnancy to her family, and especially Joseph. (As an unwed mother, she could have been deemed an adulteress and stoned to death!) The news of Elizabeth’s miracle pregnancy cheered her and assured her that “NOTHING will be impossible with God.”
.
Vss. 39-45.
As soon as it could be arranged – probably as a big help for Elizabeth – Mary travelled in a group south into the hill country of Judea, where Zechariah and Elizabeth lived.
As she entered the house and called out a greeting to Elizabeth, something wonderful happened. Elizabeth’s unborn baby – John – “leaped in her womb!” And Elizabeth herself was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Her loud words revealed a knowledge that no one had told her.
“Blessed are you (Mary) among women, and blessed is the fruit of YOUR womb! Why is it granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
How wonderful for the Lord to encourage Mary in this way. If she’d had any doubts (and I don’t think she did), they were gone after Elizabeth’s prophecy. How comforting to be able to talk it over with this “grandma-type” woman. Mary had probably not told anyone of the angel Gabriel’s visit.
.
Vss. 46-55.
In response to Elizabeth’s praise, Mary’s own heart soars. The verses that follow are almost a song. Can you imagine that? Her words are full of praise to the Lord, and many Old Testament allusions and quotations. Even as a woman in Jewish society where only the men studied, she knew the Word of God. There are allusions to the Law, the Psalms, and the Prophets. What sweet words to the “ears” of God.
- “My soul magnifies the Lord,
- and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
- for He has looked on the humble
- estate of his servant.
- For behold, from now on all generations,
- will call me blessed;
- for He who is mighty has done
- great things for me,
- and Holy is His Name.
- And His mercy is for those
- who fear him.
- From generation to generation,
- He has shown strength with His arm.
- He has scattered the proud
- in the thoughts of their hearts;
- He has brought down the mighty from their thrones
- and exalted those of humble estate.
- He has filled the hungry
- with good things,
- and the rich,
- He has sent away empty.
- He has helped His servant Israel
- in remembrance of His mercy,
- as He spoke to our fathers,
- to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
(Perhaps Mary sang songs like this as lullabies to her baby Jesus, too.)
.
Vs. 56.
I wish I knew more about the three months Mary spent with Elizabeth. They must have encouraged each other in the Lord. Perhaps Elizabeth gave her advice or counsel about her family and Joseph, for when she returned home, “showing” her pregnancy. Was she there when John was born? Did she hear (when Zecharia could finally speak again) how John would open the way for ministry for her own son, Jesus?
Regardless of our speculation, Mary finally returned to Nazareth “to face the situation.” WHO would believe her?
Morning Meditations 