Mary's Wonderful Song Of Praise

The Song of Mary

Luke 1:46-55

What is so special about Mary? Should she be an object of our worship because she was chosen to be the mother of our Lord? Should she be looked upon as a mediator (go between) when we pray? There is not an ounce of scripture that instructs us to do so. In fact the scripture tells us, “There is but one mediator between God and man, and that is the man Christ Jesus.”

If Mary is not a special mediator or object to be worshipped then why does Luke under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit choose to put focus on Mary in our text?

The answer to all these questions lies not in the greatness of Mary, but in the greatness of Christ and her attitude toward Him. Herein is the key to understanding what our attitude should be toward Mary.

The Angel came to Mary and brought the announcement in verse 28,

“…Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women…And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.”

Keep in mind that Mary was no more immaculate than you and I. We have often heard of the Immaculate Conception. The common understanding of the Catholic Church is that Mary had to be sinless in order to have a sinless Savior. The teaching is that when Mary was born she was free from original sin. It is true that she was morally pure in that she had never been with another man. But she was not with out sin. This notion is merely a contrivance of man’s philosophical thinking and not a theologically correct teaching in scripture.

Mary did not have to be immaculate to carry the Christ child because the Bible said that which was conceived in her was of the Holy Ghost. In other words, when Christ was placed in the womb of Mary It was not a mixture of God’s genes with human genes. It was wholly a divine conception. If the genes of Mary mingled with the genes of Jesus, then Jesus could not have been the sinless Son of God because Mary was from the generation of Adam just like you and I!

Notice verse 47. If there be any proof in the scriptures that would clear any doubt as to the statement of Mary being sinless this verse should settle all doubts. “And my spirit hath rejoiced in God MY SAVIOR.”

Only one who knew she was a sinner could recognize Jesus as her savior.

My friends you cannot claim Christ as your savior until you recognize in humility first that you are sinner. The Bible says, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. We were helpless to save ourselves.

Yet we dare not cast a bad light upon Mary. This is not what the writer intended. Rather Luke intended for us to see Mary’s attitude toward the birth of Christ as an example to us as believers. As we look at the godly characteristics of Mary this morning, let us be reminded as believers in Christ that we too can be used of God and blessed by God in a great and mighty way.

I. MARY’S HUMILITY

She accepted God’s will. “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy Word.”

There is no evidence of Mary thinking that she was any different than anyone else. She realized that above all women she was fortunate to be the one to bear the Christ child. We do not understand all the reason why Mary, above all women, was chosen to carry the savior, but it could have been because of her humility and humbleness and submissiveness before God.

Again, Mary said, “And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my savior.”

Mary was just a sinner saved by grace. In humility she recognized Jesus as her savior. So must you and I if we are to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Notice verse 48, “For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.”

Literally he has looked upon the low or humble condition of his handmaid. In spite of her rank and poverty, he has shown her favor.

This is proof that God is no respecter of persons. He is looking for a humble vessel that he can use for his glory. It is wonderful that God can take nobody’s and make some body’s out of them. God is not looking for wealth, rank or honor. He is looking for a lowly servant who is willing to be used for his glory.

On one occasion an orchestra presented Handel’s “Messiah” so beautifully that the applause was thunderous, and everyone turned toward the composer. Handel stood up and with his finger pointing upward, silently indicated that the glory should be given to God rather than to himself. That is exactly what the virgin Mary did as she talked to Elizabeth. It is as if she were saying, “Don’t praise me, but magnify the Lord who is my Savior.”