And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” - Luke 1:28
Weddings are beautiful and exciting events with an abundance of anticipation. There is so much to do. The “who, what, where, how and why” questions all need to be answered. The bride’s dress needs to be just perfect for her. The bridesmaids’ dresses are to be considered and ordered. Flowers need to be ordered. The guest list must be made and invitations sent. Registration for gifts at different stores should be processed. Oh, and don’t forget the groom and his company must be given their lists! A flurry of excitement abounds!
Young Mary of Nazareth (Luke 1:26-27) was pledged to be married to Joseph. It was a commitment of love, faith, and loyalty to her future husband. Everything had to be “just perfect” when the time came for the wedding. Her desire was for nothing less.
On one fateful night her world turned upside down. Everything changed! According to the scriptures (Luke 1:26-38) an angel appeared to Mary with an announcement from God. She had been selected as the entrusted woman to give birth to the Messiah of Israel…and the whole world. Flashing through Mary’s mind was this incredible and sobering news. Luke states that Mary was greatly troubled at his words and unsure of what he meant. Being a faithful and spiritual Jewish woman, she wasn’t sure how this would happen. Catch her confusion as Luke recorded the conversation, “How will this be since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34).
Gabriel gave her the specifics, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the most high will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God…for no word from God will ever fail” (Luke 1:35-36 NIV).
Her response should be the response of every faithful follower of God. “I am the Lord’s servant…May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38 NIV)
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After the Holy Spirit impregnated Mary, she realized that this would not be understood by her parents or Joseph. As time passed Mary asked to go visit her relative and friend, Elizabeth who lived in a town in the hill country of Judea far enough away from Nazareth where there would be no questions. Mary desperately needed someone to confide in, get wise counseling and someone to share her secret with whom she could trust.
As Mary knocked on the door and was let in by Elizabeth, the baby inside of Elizabeth kicked and made her feel good about all that was happening. According to scripture it wasn’t just a good feeling, but a confirmation as she was filled with the Holy Spirit. She exclaimed in a loud voice of excitement, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear...Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”(Luke 1:40-45 NIV).
The word, “blessed,” describes happiness to those whom God favors or smiles upon. At that moment Elizabeth encouraged Mary’s faith, and after this spontaneous blessing Mary began a song of praise and servanthood. Theologians call this song the “Magnificent” and it is dedicated to the adoration of Mary’s closest friend and ally, Jehovah God, himself.
Today we want to look closely at Mary’s song and what it meant to her and to us. She gave her life, and surrendered to our God. Luke 1:39 to 59 as God’s servant, she sings songs and praises God with happiness, glorifying, and with one faith.
Mary’s song is one of happiness (Luke 1:39-45):
She greeted Elizabeth. - Luke 1:40. Mary greeted Elizabeth with happiness. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greetings of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Actor-comedian Dom DeLuise, whose friendly nature made him a popular actor for decades with movie and television audiences as well as directors and fellow actors, tells that there was a dark time in his life when little made him smile. He stated that everything was wrong and it seemed that life was hopeless and that he was feeling useless. As Christmas was approaching, his son asked what his dad wanted as a Christmas present. The actor reluctantly replied, “Happiness…and you can’t give it to me.” On Christmas day came and as the family opened their gifts, the boy handed his dad a piece of cardboard with one word written on it…HAPPINESS. The son said, “See pop, I can give you happiness!’ DeLuise laughed and he said at that moment his depression lifted.
What brings you happiness in life? “The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for. - Joseph Addison
Mary had a commission from God to bring life to the Messiah. It would take her to the depths of despair and the bliss of joy. She would watch her son die on a cross. The hardest experience for any mother to witness. She would also encounter his resurrection. She would live the rest of her life fulfilling God’s will. As Christians we are to live our lives doing the will of God.
Mary loved Jesus and was filled with love for others. She was among the people in the upper room who were baptized with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost and shared God’s love with those in Jerusalem. (Acts 1:14). Her desire was to communicate her son’s message to a world so desperately in need of him. As Christians we are called to evangelize the world and tell them of God’s love according to the great commission (Matthew 28:16-18).
Mary had a deep abiding happiness in God. Do we?
Mary’s song is one of glorifying God (Luke 1:46-51):
And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord. - Luke 1:46
The Bible implies that God had first place in Mary’s life. The song of glory came from deep within her soul and spirit and rose to her lips as she gave glory to the redeemer of life! My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant.
Giving God glory is far more than a sentimental expression of feeling. It is the absolute knowledge that we glorify God for his redemptive act in our lives.
God’s redemptive process comes through the whole Christ event.
First, it was from the beginning that this plan of salvation originated. John wrote in his first epistle (letter), “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched — this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us…And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:1-3 NIV).
Second, it was through the birth that this plan continued. We read it in Luke’s account when the angel appeared to Mary and said, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).
Third, it was through faith in Jesus that the plan unfolds. Jesus, talking with Nicodemus said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16-17 NIV).
Fourth, God’s plan climaxed at Calvary and the cross of Jesus. By shedding his blood on the cross, Jesus took our punishment that we rightly deserved because of our sinfulness, and offered us his righteousness. We essentially make a trade by faith; we give him our sin and its accompanying death penalty and he gives us his righteousness and abiding presence. The shadow of the cross always lies across the manger scene.
Peter taught it correctly when he wrote, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness…” (1 Peter 2:24 NIV).
Fifth, the plan’s ultimate victory came through God’s resurrection of Jesus. Without the resurrection Jesus would only be a martyr, but because of the resurrection he is our Savior!
Luke’s writing says that the women who followed Jesus went to the tomb. When they arrived angels were waiting and asked, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” (Luke 24:6-7 NIV).
“The resurrection is God’s ‘Amen!’ to Christ’s statement, ‘It is finished’” -Lewis Johnson.
Mary’s servant song of glorifying God — the song all of us should be singing during this Christmas season!
Mary’s song is one of faith (Luke 1:54-56):
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.- Luke 1:54-55 (NIV)
Her song reflects the generation or heritage that builds on faith. Someone wrote, “Some generations are more aware of what they have achieved than of what they have inherited, forgetting that the heritage makes the achievement possible.”
As a child, I grew up in a God fearing family. We attended a small church regularly with a group of “ordinary” Christians. But my parents, relatives, especially one of my uncles taught me the love of God and the Word of God with encouragement. It helped gradually within my heart to desire faith. It climaxed in my acceptance of Jesus and drew me to walk with Christ. Father and mother’s relatives, those generations gave me a heritage that still lives. For they taught me the basic fundamentals of faith and helped bring me to maturity. They stood shoulder to shoulder with me when I felt a “call” to ministry supporting me through prayer, concern, and encouragement in words. Every sermon I have preached, the pastoral work I engaged in, the various speaking engagements, all reflect on my faith.
Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. - Psalm 90:1-2
Today, many people helped formulate your faith. Like Mary, think about those people and thank God for what they helped instill into your heart, life and work.
Conclusion:
Bruce Larson tells the story of being interviewed once by a reporter who had covered Mother Teresa’s visit to Boys Town, USA. Larson asked him about that visit and her reaction to the famous town. The reporter said that the priest and administrators showed her all over the grounds including the dormitories, the classrooms, the gymnasium, the dining hall and more. At the end of the tour, according to the reporter, Mother Teresa turned to the head priest and said, “You have all this, but do you really love them?” This is the ultimate virtue of servant-hood. It is not about social programs, numbers of things we accomplish, funds that we raise, or achievements we produce. It is about the love of Christ that we instill into all of those projects. It comes through our happiness, glorifying God and faith in Christ. Amen.
