Pastor Jonathan Falwell
The Christmas story is found in a number of places within the Scriptures, but none more recognized than Luke’s account. Over the past two millenia, the world has often heard the Luke 2 narrative describing the arrival of God’s greatest gift. Luke helps us understand his purpose in recording these events in Luke 1:3 So it also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.
Today, however, I’d like to focus on one particular portion of Luke’s narrative of the birth of Christ which is referred to as the “Magnificat,” the song of Mary.
Luke 1:46-55 (CSB) ”And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, because he has looked with favor on the humble condition of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and his name is holy. His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him. He has done a mighty deed with his arm; he has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts; he has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he spoke to our ancestors.“
- Favor in our fear
Vs 46b-48a My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, because he has looked with favor on the humble condition of his servant.
- Finding favor in our fear begins with worship
- Mary’s declaration of exalting God rather than self, even in her situation is an indication of why God chose her in the first place
- In the midst of a fearful situation God extended favor to Mary, He does the same with us
- The Jews in Galilee, certainly in Nazareth, were hated because they were considered to be unclean, non-kosher, because of their close proximity to the Gentiles1. It is interesting that from this area, Mary was chosen. The opening words to her song clearly indicate Mary is the right choice.
- Strength in our weakness
Vss 49-50 because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and his name is holy. His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him
- Our hope is found in trusting His strength, not our own
- 2 Cor. 12 tells us, “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”
- Warren Wiersbe said, “Not only was God mindful of her, but He was also mighty for her, working on her behalf.” [1]
- Protection from the proud
Vss 51-52 He has done a mighty deed with his arm; he has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts; he has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly.
- Verse 51 echoes Isaiah 53:1 which is an OT declaration of the baby which is now present in Mary’s womb – “with his arm”
- Isaiah 53:1 Who has believed what we have heard?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
- His protection is guaranteed
- Proverbs 16:5, 18 – Pride destroys
- Psalm 138:6 For though the Lord is high, He regards the lowly
- Matthew 23:12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted
- Provision in our pain
Vs 53 He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.
- “He has satisfied the hungry…” is a clear statement of the provision only God can give
- The message is that only God can fill the void within our lives though mankind is constantly attempting to fill the void with every imaginable thing
This Christmas, Bethlehem is a strangely silent. What are normally the busiest days of the year for this small town just a few short miles from Jerusalem are now the quietest. Why? Because the world has lost sight of the giver of peace.
Father Spiridon Sammour, a Greek Orthodox priest at the Church of the Nativity said this week – “I have never seen it like this…Christmas is joy, love and peace. We have no peace. We have no joy.[2]”
Any time people look for joy and peace in anything other than the Prince of Peace they are left wanting. As Mary stated even before His birth, Jesus is Savior, Jesus is Peace!
[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 173.
[2] https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/24/middleeast/bethlehem-christmas-gaza-war-intl/index.html