Luke 1:46-56 NIV
“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 inmost thoughts. He has brought down 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, just as he promised our ancestors.’
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.”
Let us join Mary in singing praise to our God. As I read this praise Mary offers to the Lord, I am struck by how well she knew the Lord. The famous song, “Mary Did You Know” has never quite sat right with me. I hope I’m not offending anyone. But I have always believed that she did know. Her knowledge of the coming Messiah as described in Isaiah paints a picture of a lamb laying down His life. I think she understood and accepted what Gabriel told her. I think she knew and that is why she “treasured all these things in her heart” (Luke 2:51b).
Mary is not offering lip service. No, she is offering praise to the Lord from a pure heart of love and humility. May we learn a lesson from this amazing woman God chose to mother His Son!
