All Nations Community Church
Christmas is a time for music! This 4-week Christmas series looks at four songs from the book of Luke (Mary’s, Zechariah’s, the Angels’, and Simeon’s), explaining what each says about the story of Christmas. Each song is about how Jesus came to set the world right, and we can be a part of this movement.
Luke 1:46-56 ESV
Big Idea of the Message: God’s kingdom is for everyone, not just for the wealthy or powerful.
Mary's song of praise is known as the Magnificat. This is the Latin translation of the first few words which Mary speaks and it literally means: "My soul magnifies the Lord."
There's something about Mary
A. Mary knew the true identity of the Son she would bear
Note what the angel said to her about her son in vv. 30-33
Mary heard His titles: Jesus, Son of the Most High, the Lord God
She understood the purpose of her pregnancy and all the scandal in the world could not change that. A teenaged girl was the first evangelist of all. And she told the Gospel in song.
B. Mary had learned to trust God beyond the KNOWN.
The profile of Mary: Mary had been raised in a poor, but godly home, where life was hard but God is good. When she heard she was to be the mother of the Messiah, she didn't know how it would turn out for her, either in her present or future.
She simply heard the angel say, "For nothing will be impossible with God" (v. 37)…
…and answered with , "I am the Lord's slave," said Mary. "May it be done to me according to your word." (v. 38)
Mary’s Psalm (Luke 1-46-55); there are 2 stanzas to her song.
First Stanza: “Underserved Grace” (vv. 46-50)
1. She calls Him God my Savior in the opening line of her song (v. 47). Only sinners need a Savior. Mary sees herself, as a sinner like all the rest of us in need of rescue.
2. She sings of God looking on the humble condition, v. 48. Literally, she sees her littleness, both in the world's eyes and in God's. Her words tell us that Mary felt totally unworthy to be chosen of God.
3. She sees God's actions toward her as evidence of His mercy (v. 50). She sings that His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him
Second Stanza: “Rescuing Power” (vv. 51-55)
1. He will rescue the helpless (v. 51)
Note the opening line of v. 51: He has done a mighty deed with His arm.
· Mary saw as already accomplished what God would do through her son.
· The salvation of Jesus is to the humble not the proud
2. He will exalt the humble (v. 52)
God toppled the mighty from their thrones & exalted the lowly.
Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful man on earth. Daniel 4 details the sudden and stunning deposing of this mighty man.
· Nebuchadnezzar declared the truth:
· "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and glorify the King of heaven, because all His works are true and His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride." (Dan. 4:37)
3. He will fill the hungry, v. 53
"He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent away the rich empty." God is looking for people who are hungry for Him; He passes right by the self-sufficient.
· "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness because they will be filled" (Matt. 5:6)
(vv. 54-55 ) God does not forget…
· His promises
· His people
Talk it over:
1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?
2. How did Mary respond to the angel’s message? What does this tell you about her faith?
3. Do you ever feel inadequate when thinking about God using you to accomplish his plans?
4. What does this passage teach us about God’s plan for our life?