INTRODUCTION: Let me share with you some of famous firsts that have happened throughout history.
Virginia Dare 1587 --- 1st child born in the American colonies, on August 18th, on what is now Roanoke Island, North Carolina.
André-Jacques Garnerin 1797 --- 1st parachute jump. Dropped from about 6,500 ft. over Monceau Park in Paris in a 23-ft.-diameter parachute made of white canvas with a basket attached (Oct. 22).
Charles Blondin (Jean Francois Gravelet) 1859 --- 1st person to cross Niagara Falls on a tightrope
Jesse James 1873 --- committed the world’s first train robbery on July 21. (Adair, Iowa)
Herbert Hoover 1874 --- 1st US President born west of the Mississippi Annie Moore 1892 --- 1st immigrant to pass through Ellis Island. She was 15 years old and from County Cork, Ireland
Alexander Winton 1903 --- set the 1st land speed record in car racing. Set at Daytona Beach, his speed was 68.18 mph.
Arthur R. Eldred 1912 --- 1st boy to reach the rank of Eagle Scout -- the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America program. He was of Oceanside, NY.
Dolly, the lamb 1996 --- 1st cloned mammal.
And Mary the mother of Jesus was the First to carry the Gospel
This is the first and only time in recorded history that the Holy Spirit of God was the source of conception for a child, in this case the Son of God, Jesus. There is nothing sinful, nothing sensual or obscene about the occasion. Luke tells us that “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.” (1:35)
The story of the virgin birth is recorded only in Matthew and Luke. But what purpose does the story serve - why is it important for us to know today? Let’s look at some answers to those questions.
I. WHY THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION?
The Catholic church has always considered Mary’s pregnancy an immaculate conception. This means that there was no human father for impregnation and conception to take place. In this sense, the virgin birth became an affirmation to the uniqueness of Jesus. His followers believed that Jesus was God’s son, different from any person who had ever lived or who would appear.
The story of the virgin birth traced this uniqueness back to the beginning, showing that God and God alone was responsible for his birth.
The story also shows us that God’s son had actually been born of a human mother and had entered the world as a real human being. From the moment of his conception Jesus developed as any other child and he entered the world through completely normal human processes.
This served to refute the influence of teachers in later years who argued that the divine Christ had no real identity as a human being. This idea formed the basis of Gnostic Christology which challenged Christianity in the second century, but began its formation in the first century. The story of the virgin birth said in unmistakable terms that the human Jesus and the divine Christ were one in the same.
II. WHY THE MAGNIFICAT?
Verses 46 to 55 comprise a song that is titled in the Latin, “Magnificat,” which means ‘to magnify’, in other words to praise, laud, extol, to hold up for great respect. The title comes from the first line of the song where Mary says, “My soul doth magnify the Lord,” which is the King James translation.
The Magnificat is patterned after Hannah’s song of rejoicing and praise in 1 Samuel. It is a hymn of rejoicing about the coming Messiah and tells us the significance of Jesus’ birth. It weaves together different parts of the Old Testament and can be divided into two parts. Today we will focus on the first part which is Mary’s praise for the blessings that God has given her.
Mary, in her lowliness, represents a humble and oppressed people, the Jewish nation under the domination of the Roman government. What God has done for Mary he is also doing for Israel - giving her and the nation a Savior.
Magnifies means to praise God by declaring his greatness. God’s demonstration of power on behalf of his handmaiden, Mary, is a manifestation of His character as the Savior or Deliverer.
III. THE SONG OF THE HEART
“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.” (1:46)
This is a hymn of praise to God’s power and mercy and is inspired by the promised birth of Jesus. This virgin birth is evidence of God’s faithfulness to his own character in that he will pour out his mercy on those who fear him from generation to generation.
Mary begins by telling God that she praises Him from the depths of her soul. I learned a long time ago, when I was minoring in music in college, that there are different ways that we can sing with our voices.
A person can sing in their throats. That’s not recommended because it tends to be a little off key and it wears out the voice, perhaps even produces a sore throat before long.
A person can also sing using their diaphragm. Using the muscles surrounding the stomach gives a deeper, richer sound to a song and doesn’t tire out the vocal folds in the throat. It also allows the singer to hold long notes without running out of breath because they can more easily control their diaphragm muscles. This is the ideal way to sing.
Mary sings from her soul, not her lips, not her diaphragm but from the depths of her emotional being. I’ve done this once in my life. I was so happy when the Lord called me into the ministry that I sang from the depths of my soul, from the joy in my heart. And only He heard me on that mountainside peak 44 years ago.
“How my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” (1:47) First, Mary’s spirit praised the Lord. Praised Him for asking her to be used as the mother of His son. Then she rejoices in the Savior that God will be sending through her.
How would you feel if a messenger from God came to you one night, outlined a plan to use you in some form of kingdom ministry? Wouldn’t you praise Him? Wouldn’t you rejoice over His selection of you?
“For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed.” (1:48) Notice the contrast in this verse. First, Mary acknowledges her place in the plan of God: she is a lowly servant girl. She uses this term to identify herself - nothing more, certainly not anyone worth noticing in everyday Nazareth. Just a humble servant of God.
Then she predicts that future generations will call her blessed. I would think that anyone who is used of God in a magnificent and unique way would be called blessed by people, too. Most of the people that God uses in mighty and unique ways did not expect that they would ever be of use to Him. Moses didn’t; David didn’t; Joseph didn’t; Jeremiah didn’t. Yet God used each of them and no doubt one reason God used them was because of their humility. And they were surprised, too.
“For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me.” (1:49) Mary uses the Greek word dunatos, the root word is dunamis, or dynamo. God is a dynamo, one who is like dynamite. That’s not to say God is explosive, but that God’s power is as powerful as dynamite. We’ve all seen how dynamite can move a mountain, how bombs that are exploded and the effect of the explosion is measured in pounds of dynamite. God is Mighty - a powerful force.
God is also holy- the Greek word here refers to the holiness of God’s name. He is exalted. Remember, His name was so holy that the Jews did not actually speak His name aloud. Taken together, Mary is saying that God exerts His might in the cause of righteousness and mercy; His holiness is demonstrated in triumph over His enemies.
IV. THE MOVING OF A SOUL
Mary has told us, in the opening verses of her praise song, how the news of God’s commission to her to be the mother of His son, Jesus, has affected her soul. Notice what this song tells us about the good news of her pregnancy.
First, she’s not afraid. Nowhere in this song, nor in this chapter, to we ever find a reference to fear. Well, almost. She was startled and afraid momentarily when Gabriel first appears to her in verse 29. But from that initial uneasiness she becomes confident and unafraid, even after the angel tells her that she will become pregnant with the Christ child.
I would venture to suppose that most women would express some hesitation if they were to find out - rather unexpectedly - that they were to become pregnant with the son of God. But not Mary. Why? Because as a servant of God, she realized that she could only obey God, not question Him. Servants are obedient, not obstinate. Let’s be more like Mary and exhibit this kind of courage as we go about serving God.
Second, she rejoiced at the Good News. I know a lot of people who don’t rejoice over good news. I went to college and seminary with many folks who had reluctantly agreed to go into the ministry. God had called them and they hadn’t immediately responded in the affirmative. Do you find that hard to believe? I did. When God called me that night almost 44 years ago, I agreed immediately. It never occurred to me to question His call or to argue about having to change my plans.
Many folks don’t respond to the Good News of the gospel positively either. They hear about Christ, they feel the Holy Spirit moving in their hearts, but they don’t take the step of commitment that God requires. They don’t confess their sins, they don’t repent of their disobedience, they don’t surrender themselves to God.
Mary is an example of a true servant, an obedient servant, a servant that does not hesitate to say ‘yes’ to God. I want you to know that I was, too. I didn’t hesitate when I learned that Jesus died for my sins, to remove them from my heart and soul and cleanse me thoroughly. I said ‘yes’ that very night. I said ‘yes’ the very night God called me into the ministry.
It’s not all easy. No road to the kingdom ever is. There are always temptations, traps laid by Satan, potholes to avoid. This is how God has structured the Christian’s life. But He’s always there to guide us around them, see us through them, lift us up when we overcome them.
Christian - is God calling you to do something today? Are you fearful about changing the way your life has been for the last many years? Look at Mary - unafraid and trusting in her Lord. Be like Mary, unafraid and trusting in your Lord.
Unbeliever - is God calling you to surrender your life to Him today? Are you fearful about changing the way your life has been for the last many years? Fearful about giving up your sins and pleasures? Look at Mary - unafraid and trusting in her Lord. Be like Mary, unafraid and trusting in your new Lord - Jesus.
