Luke 1:46-55
46And
Mary said "My soul glorifies the Lord 47and
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48for
he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on
all generations will call me blessed, 49for
the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.
50His
mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
51He
has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who
are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52He
has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the
humble. 53He
has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away
empty. 54He
has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55to
Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."
Though
it isn't obvious to us, these verse are a hymn of
praise that Mary sings in worship. She has just visited with her
cousin Elizabeth whose family also received a visit from the angel
Gabriel who had announced an unexpected birth in their household as
well. Elizabeth, who had been barren, was to soon give birth to a son
who would become known as John the Baptist. Elizabeth affirms Mary's
obedience saying: “Blessed is she who has believed that what the
Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Mary responds with her
hymn, marveling at how she has been blessed by the great things God,
the Mighty One, has done for her. Mary's song remarkable foreshadows
the unexpected tenor of Jesus' life and ministry – humility and
vulnerability one would not expect from the long-awaited Messiah
King. She sees God as bringing about great reversals – He has brought
down rulers but lifted up the humble … filled the hungry and sent
the rich away empty." It's as if Jesus is singing more verses to her
song when He says, “the last shall be first and the first shall be
last … if you want to be the greatest, you must be the least of
these … the Son of Man did not come to heal the healthy but the
sick.” Let's sing along with Mary and Jesus of the Great One who lifts up the weak.