Song Of Elizabeth To Mary Series

Harmony of the Gospels

-5 BC-

Hill Country of Judea

(3 & 4) Song of Elizabeth to Mary and Mary’s Song of Praise

(Psalms 3:17) Luke 1:39-56

Luke 1:39-45

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed; “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished! (Luke 1:39-45)

This is the first song in the New Testament. Elizabeth sings it to Mary.

What took place when these two women met can only be described as a miracle. There is no logical explanation for the miraculous. Either you will believe it or you will not. I am tired of hearing preachers attempt to explain away the supernatural. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and the baby leaped in her womb.

The song of Elizabeth is beautiful. Dr. Luke was a poet and he gave us the songs of Christmas.

The scriptures record very little about Elizabeth, but she was a remarkable woman. She believed Gabriel when her husband did not. Mary was a young woman and she was an old woman, but Mary needed the encouragement that Elizabeth gave her. She assured her that that all those things that had been told to her, by the angel, would happen.

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me-holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their innermost thoughts. He has brought down the rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.” Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. (Luke 1:46-56)

(4) Mary’s Song of Praise

(Psalms 3:17) Luke 1:46-56

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me-holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their innermost thoughts. He has brought down the rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.” Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. (Luke 1:46-56)

Now Mary sings a song. The song teaches us several very interesting things. She tells us in her song that she needed a Savior and she rejoiced in Him. Mary was a wonderful woman and we should call her blessed, but we should not bow down before her and worship her. It was her glorious privilege to be the mother of the Son of God. We should not play down her roll, but we should not play it up either. It was no accident that God chose her and He does not make mistakes.

Mary sings about God’s everlasting mercy. In Psalms 103:17, it says, “But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children.” God’s love and mercy is for those who respect Him. It is for His sheep. If you are not a child of God, one of His sheep, all you will get from God is justice and His wrath. Hebrews 10:31 says, “It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” There is only one way to avoid that and that is to receive Jesus as your Savior. It is a wonderful thing to look into the future and know that God will always be merciful to you.