The Magnificat

Luke 1:46-55 (ESV)

My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

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.”

This passage bears the title, “The Magnificat” a hymn of praise that defines what other hymns of praise should contain. It’s a hymn that many people read at least once each year but how did we come to hold such an important hymn in our Bible? What has happened?

God had already spoken through his angel to Mary.  Joseph, her betrothed, had received his visit from the angel as well. Together, they had agreed it would be well suited for her to visit her uncle and aunt, Zechariah, and Elizabeth. The two women were exchanging greetings and learning that each of them were expecting a baby and God’s miraculous power was at work in each of their lives and then Mary sang.

What is so amazing to me and the thing I have been reflecting on is the unlikeliness of it all. Mary was the wrong person. She was a mere teenager. Think back to your teen years. Would your lips have produced such an amazing song of worship and adoration? I could never have thought a thought so wonderful as Mary sang when I was fourteen, fifteen or even thirty-five. Truth be told, I don’t think I could imagine crafting these words today.

Mary was a woman living in a culture where women were marginalized on every turn. For her to have discovered such depth of insight that would permit her to sing with such liberty is a true testament to God’s work in her heart and the unending devotion that was pouring out.

Mary was a Nazarene; she was from a city that was the garbage can of Judah. The people that lived there were the culls of the culture. Imagine overcoming the devastating reality that you were from the wrong place.

With all of these realities Mary chose to sing above the din of her limitations and step into the way God saw her. So, for me this growing awareness has two messages.

1. I should honor God’s choice and be grateful to him for choosing Mary and honor her as the grandest woman in history, the virgin mother, the gift that was gifted my Grand Fixer and eternal King.
2. I should allow my King to see me the way that he sees me and stop limiting myself because of my background, my fears, my ineptitude, my insecurities, my perceived limitations, and rest in the reality that he will provide for me the things I must have to accomplish his call in my life.

With these two things growing in my mind, I open my mouth and sing the words of this same hymn and pray my actions reflect the song of my lips.

Prayer for today:

I sing with Mary, my soul magnifies you, Lord. I rejoice in the way that you choose people and I accept your choice for me. I give you my obedience as a humble act of worship. Work your masterplan through me and I will give you my all as I pour out my praise.

Amen.

Blessings,

Pastor Wes