Read 1 Samuel 2:1-10 & Luke 1:39-56
After her unexpected meeting with Gabriel, Mary hurries to meet with her miraculously pregnant cousin. Elizabeth, the elder of the two, greets Mary with honor and joy. By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, she calls Mary, “the favored one” and praises the babe who dwells within her. Like David in Psalm 110 who mysteriously refers to “my Lord,” Elizabeth exclaims, “How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (v 43).
Her years of barrenness, her muted husband, and her social position have not made her bitter toward her younger cousin. Instead, Elizabeth, in the spirit of her son, prepares the way for Jesus by preparing the way for Mary.
Then, Mary bursts into song. Though she trusted God at His Word, it is as if it has all become more real with Elizabeth’s praises.
“Arrogance does not come from her mouth,” but humble rejoicing (1 Samuel 2:3). First, Mary sings of her personal response to God’s favor. Her soul praises and her spirit rejoices that her Savior would favor one of such humble condition. Then, she extends her praise to God for his salvation of all of Israel through this child. His mercy will extend from generation to generation. The lowly will be exalted. The hungry will be filled. God will indeed help his servant Israel, his covenant people.
Mary and Elizabeth both trust that the babe in Mary’s womb is the long-promised Messiah.
They “shared a dream. It was the ancient dream of Israel: the dream that one day all that the prophets had said would come true. One day Israel’s God would do what he had said to Israel’s oldest ancestors: all nations would be blessed through Abraham’s family. But for that to happen, the powers that kept the world in slavery had to be toppled.” (Luke for Everyone, pg 15).
So, her song isn’t a quiet melody, but a shout of relief and assurance. Like the beatitudes Jesus delivers more than thirty years later, Mary’s song is a disruptive, world-changing tune. It is God’s tune which He began singing from the moment sin entered the world and He began His rescue plan. Now, it is over thirty years from its earth-shaking climax in Jesus’ crucifixion.
Just as Mary exudes the virtue of simplicity in her mind, she also reveals the virtue of simplicity in her words. Because she knows the story of her people and the story of her God, her words are unwavering and true. She can sing of God’s promises with boldness and joy with a single-mindedness that is afforded to her confidence in the Lord. Simplicity is the melody of her song because she only has to follow the music of her Savior.
Tomorrow, we’ll examine one reason why our words lack simplicity and reveal a double-mindedness we may be unaware of.
In the comments below, share how you can make Mary's song (the Magnificat) your own prayer this Advent.
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