Magnify the Lord (Lk. 1:39-56)
Good morning!
Today we are continuing with the birth narrative of Jesus. For the next two weeks, pastor Mike will take us through the second part of John’s birth story.
If you weren’t here last week, well let’s just say that you picked the wrong Sunday to skip church.
For those of you who were here last week, and you’re concerned about what I might say this week, allow me to put your fears to rest. Today’s sermon is rated “G”. This is one for the entire family.
In last week’s sermon, the angel Gabriel came to Mary with news that she would give birth to a Son. He would be a great King whose kingdom knows no end and His Name would be Jesus because He would save His people from their sins (Mt. 1:21).
Acts 4:12 NKJV
12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
1 Timothy 2:5 NKJV
5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
Mary, young and inexperienced in life, found it hard to understand how she, a virgin, could possibly conceive a child. Her question highlights the fact that while she didn’t understand everything about what would happen, she did believe that God was going to make it happen. She was convinced that her pregnancy would not involve a man.
To answer her question of how, not if, she would be pregnant, the angel first tells her of the future work of God in her life. God’s work would be the direct result of the Holy Spirit’s overshadowing of her as He did at the beginning of creation (Gen. 1:1-2) and with the cloud that covered the Tabernacle (Ex. 40:35; Num. 9:15-23). Secondly, the angel told of what God had already done, six months prior, in the life of her older and barren relative Elizabeth.
It is in this sixth month that Mary and Elizabeth meet face to face and share their stories of their encounters with God.
Jumping for Joy (Luke 1:39-45)
Luke 1:39–45 NKJV
39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah,
40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”
Luke writes his account intentionally focused on the marginalized, the outcast and lowly among him. One of the groups that he focuses on the most are women. Luke is no activist. This is no social gospel, however, what he wants his audience to understand is that Jesus isn’t just for the Jews. He’s for everybody!
As Stephen Harris says,
Luke’s theory of salvation history has a universal aspect: From its inception, Christianity is a religion intended for ‘all nations,’ especially those people who have hither-to lived without Israel’s Law and prophets.[1]
Luke tells us that after receiving news about her own conception, Mary rushes over to see Elizabeth who is also pregnant. When Elizabeth hears Mary’s voice, John jumps for joy in utero and Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit.
For the longest time there has been a lot of debate surrounding the question of at what point does life begin. As you already know, there doesn’t seem to be much agreement even within unified communities. In her book, Love Thy Body, Nancy Pearcey states that,
Every bioethicist offers a different answer. Some propose that personhood emerges when the developing organism begins to exhibit neural activity, feel pain, achieve a certain level of cognitive function or consciousness or intelligence, or even have a sense of the future. Fletcher proposes fifteen qualities to define when human life is worthy of respect and protection (such as intelligence, self-awareness, self-control, a sense of time, concern for others, communication, curiosity, and neocortical function). Score too low on any measure and for Fletcher you do not qualify as a person. You are ‘mere biological life.’[2]
Well, it appears to me, as we read Luke’s account of the conception of John and Jesus, that the Bible would disagree with Fletcher and those who ascribe to his philosophy. What we see in these birth narratives is that there is actual life at the very point of conception which has been the dominant Christian position for ages.
Bible passages like,
Jeremiah 1:5 NKJV
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
Psalm 139:13–16 NKJV
13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
How true is that for both John and Jesus? In Luke 1:15 Gabriel tells Zechariah that John would be filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb. Whenever I get to pray for pregnant families, this is what I pray; that the child God is knitting together in the womb of the mother would be filled with the Holy Spirit in utero. Not only was John filled with the Holy Spirit, but at John’s response to Mary’s voice, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit as well. Again, Luke does a fantastic job of emphasizing the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in his gospel. Just as the Spirit of God gave birth to creation (Gen. 1:1-2) so He gave birth to John and Jesus (Lk. 1:15, 35). In much the same way He gave birth to the Church of God (Acts 1:8; 2:1-4) and He gives birth to every new Believer. No one can call Jesus Lord without the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:3). So, when Emily came forth last week and confessed her need and desire for Jesus, at that very moment the Spirit of God moved into Emily’s heart and made her a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17).
When the Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth, she prophesied confirming what the angel had already spoken to Mary. Elizabeth says,
Luke 1:42 NKJV
42“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
In John chapter 3 a dispute breaks out between some of John’s disciples and other Jews. The problem is that instead of going to John to get baptized people are going to Jesus. Well, John says, that’s what’s supposed to happen. His joy, the joy with which he leaped in the womb in response to Jesus, was fulfilled (Jn. 3:29).
John 3:30 NKJV
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
John may have learned that from his mother Elizabeth as she, the elder of Mary, humbles herself when she asks,
Luke 1:43 NKJV
43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Dr. David Brown agrees,
High as was the distinction conferred upon herself, Elisabeth loses sight of it altogether, in presence of one more honoured still; upon whom, and on her unborn Babe, in an ecstasy of inspiration, she pronounces a benediction, feeling it to be a wonder unaccountable that “the mother of her Lord should come to her.”[3]
The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-56)
Luke 1:46–56 NKJV
46 And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.
50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.
54 He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy,
55 As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.”
56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.
According to Bruce Larson and Lloyd J. Ogilvie,
William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury (1942-44), warned his missionaries to India never to read the Magnificat in public. Christians were already suspect in that country and they were cautioned against reading verses so inflammatory. What Mary was prophesying about her unborn son is terrifying to the establishment, whoever and wherever they are. They cannot hear these words gladly.[4]
Mary’s song, found only in Luke’s Gospel, has been referred to as the Magnificat taken from the first word of this song in Latin. It means to magnify or enlarge. To make great or greater than something and someone else. What could Mary’s soul possibly be magnifying the Lord over? What could she possibly be making the Lord greater than? If we are able to figure out the answers to these questions then I think it will be of great help to us in our personal lives.
Remember, Mary was a young, inexperienced, and impressionable girl. As a female, she had little to no legal rights. Getting pregnant at such a young age could’ve been disastrous for her without a husband. Thankfully, the angel tells Joseph to follow through with the marriage. Because of her faith in God she trusted what He wanted to do in her life. Instead of sinking into despair, Mary turns her attention away from her circumstances and focuses her heart on God her Savior. In her song, Mary is calling back to mind the truth of God from the Hebrew scriptures. There are a number of different Old Testament references found in Mary’s song. Most of the references can be traced back to Hannah's song from 1 Samuel 2:1-10 where Hannah has prayed and asked God to bless her with a child. Hannah was the object of ridicule because of her barrenness and when God finally answers her prayer with a son, she dedicates him back to the Lord. This is why we do child dedications instead of baptizing babies. Other references to Mary’s song can be found in the book of Psalms.
Here are just a few examples;
Luke 1:46–47 speaks of rejoicing in God’s salvation and magnifying Him.[5]
Psalm 34:2–3 NKJV
2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together.
Luke 1:48 speaks of God’s regard for the humble.[6]
Psalm 138:6 NKJV
6 Though the Lord is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar.
Luke 1:49 tells of God’s mighty deeds and holiness.[7]
Psalm 71:19 NKJV
19 Also Your righteousness, O God, is very high, You who have done great things; O God, who is like You?
Psalm 111:9 NKJV
9 He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and awesome is His name.
Luke 1:50 we learn that God shows mercy to those who fear Him.[8]
Psalm 103:17 NKJV
17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children,
Luke 1:51–52 tells about the reversal of the proud and lowly.[9]
Psalm 107:40–41 NKJV
40 He pours contempt on princes, And causes them to wander in the wilderness where there is no way;
41 Yet He sets the poor on high, far from affliction, And makes their families like a flock.
Luke 1:53 we learn that God provides for the hungry.[10]
Psalm 107:9 NKJV
9 For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness.
Finally, Luke 1:54–55 reminds us of God’s covenant with Abraham.[11]
Genesis 12:3 NKJV
3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Again, Mary is convinced of the goodness of God in her particular situation, and she takes this opportunity to brag on Him as she remembers what He had done throughout Israel’s history.
D.W. Ford says,
‘Only because the mighty Lord has done mighty things is there good news to tell, only because of the past tenses which speak of God’s deeds is there a gospel to proclaim.’[12]
Listen, this is a great reminder for us to take seriously the reading, studying, internalizing and applying of God’s Word in our own lives.
On Wednesday nights I have been leading a group of people through John Mark Comer’s study called, Practicing the Way. In this study we dive into 9 different practices or disciplines of the Christian faith. This past Wednesday we wrapped up our study on Scripture where we focused on hiding God’s Word in our hearts by memorizing scripture. Well, John Mark Comer told a story about a dear friend of his, listen to this.
A friend of mine is Dr. Gerald Sittser. In his book A Grace Disguised, he tells the tragic story of how he was driving with his family and they were hit head-on by a drunk driver, and in a moment, he lost his mother, his wife, and his daughter — three generations — they literally died in his arms on the side of the road. ...he was so traumatized he could barely even pray. But before the accident, he had memorized thirty Psalms. And he told [John Mark], they kicked in in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. He didn’t even have to will it. They were just there. In his mind. A part of him. Then he told me something provocative. He said, “The problem with a shallow Christian faith, is, when trauma comes, people have no neural pathways to deal with it, so they just play the music of the culture – rage, blame, fear, and despair.”[13]
Well, that wasn’t the music that Mary played. She made up her own song based on the truth of God’s Word and His faithfulness. We need to be like Mary and turn the music of the culture off and instead amplify the voice of God in our hearts and minds. This is the only successful and sustainable strategy for combatting what we experience in this world.
When we hyperfocus on our own circumstances and the issues we face in life, those things have a way of intensifying. Just as there is a digital algorithm, there is also a spiritual algorithm. The more attention we give to something the bigger it grows in our hearts and minds. Focusing too much on this life magnifies our problems and shrinks our God. Not that God changes size, but He changes in terms of importance in our lives. This is why Pastor Mike and I are always encouraging you to spend time in God’s Word and let it speak to your heart and mind the sovereignty and magnificence and trustworthiness of our God and Savior.
God’s part is to bring the right Scripture to our minds at the right time, but our part is to build an inner library of key passages for the Holy Spirit to access day and night.[14]
Respond
Let me close with this bit of encouragement from pastor Thabiti Anyabwile.
Elizabeth knows that God’s fulfillment is at hand, and Mary has believed it too (v. 45). God has a plan. Our most basic part in the plan is to believe it. These women are models of faith. They believe before the plan is fulfilled. How can we not believe him after it is fulfilled?[15]
There is a great promise in God’s Word which says,
John 1:12 NKJV
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
Romans 10:9–10 NKJV
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
If you’re here this morning and you are not a Christian, I want to invite you to come and trust God like Mary and Elizabeth did. Like I told you last week, all you need to know are these 3 things:
You’re a sinner.
You need a Savior.
Jesus is the Answer.
Notes
[1] Stephen Harris, The New Testament: A Student’s Introduction, 195
[2] Nancy Pearcey, Love Thy Body, 53
[3] David Brown, A. R. Fausset, and Robert Jamieson, A Commentary, Critical, Experimental, and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments: Matthew–John, vol. V (London; Glasgow: William Collins, Sons, & Company, Limited, n.d.), 220.
[4] Bruce Larson and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Luke, vol. 26, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1983), 38.
[5] 1 Sam 2:1; Ps 34:2–3; Isa 61:10; Hab. 3:18
[7] Ps 71:19; 1 Sam 2:1; Ps 103:1; 105:3; 111:9; 145:21
[9] Job 5:11; Ps 107:40-41; 1 Sam 2:4,8
[11] Gen 12:3; Micah 7:20; Ps 105:8–10
[12] Leon Morris, Luke: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 3, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 93.
[13] John Mark Comer, Practicing the Way, The Scripture Practice: Memorize
[14] John Mark Comer, Practicing the Way, The Scripture Practice: Memorize
[15]Thabiti Anyabwile, Exalting Jesus in Luke, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2018), 29.
