Week 2 Reflection
Mary’s Song | Luke 1:46-56
Imagine a teenage girl from Nazareth in Galilee who is approached by an angel, and told that although she is a virgin, she will become pregnant with the Son of God. Imagine the conversation she will have with her finance Joseph, when she confesses that “the Holy Spirit had come upon her, and that the power of the Highest overshadowed her” (Luke 1:35 NKJV). How will this look to her own, and her fiancé’s family, and to the community she lives in? How encouraging was the angel Gabriel’s initial greeting, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women” (28)! Imagine her shock that the Lord of the universe noticed her at all. She must have been frightened, because Gabriel reassures her by saying, “Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God” (30), and behold you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus (31). He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David (32). And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end”(33). What an astounding prophecy for a young girl to hear! What a huge role she will play in God’s plan to redeem mankind.
Mary’s reaction to this shocking declaration displays her righteous character. She responds in song to her cousin Elizabeth’s proclamation that she is, “Blessed among women, and blessed is the fruit of [her] womb” (42)! How fortunate that Mary immediately praises the Lord, singing of how her soul magnifies Him, and her spirit rejoices in God her Savior (47). She recognizes that He could have chosen a queen or a wealthy princess, and has instead chosen her, a lowly maidservant (48). God uses ordinary people for His purposes. He chose the young shepherd boy David to be king, and called him a “man after His own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). He chose Joseph who was betrayed, and sold into slavery by his own brothers, to be second in command to the pharaoh of Egypt. This encourages us in our daily lives, because as ordinary people, we can be used for God’s purposes.
Mary believed and trusted Gabriel’s prophecy. She sings of God’s blessings, power, and righteousness. Luke 1:49 records, “For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name” (49). She affirms that God is merciful to all who fear Him (50). Proverbs 9:10 reminds, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” We should respond to the holiness of Lord’s power, and magnificence in humility as Mary did. We must honor and respect God by obeying His commandments, and following Jesus. Pride and independence will destroy us. The Lord exalts the lowly and has put down the mighty from their thrones (52). He meets the needs of the vulnerable (53). We can depend on His faithful love no matter what our circumstances. God helped Israel as He promised Abraham (55), and his descendants, and He will meet our needs this Christmas season and throughout the years to come.
*All Scriptural verses have been taken from the New King James Version of the Bible.