Mary's Magnificat

39 Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.

Luke 1:41–42 NASB95

41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

Luke 1:43–45 NASB95

43 “And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? 44 “For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. 45 “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”

Anything stick out to you, any particular verse?

In looking at (v.39) what is “at this time?”

Sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy (v.36)

What did the baby do in the womb when Mary entered (v.41)? and, is there anything else important that happens then?

The baby lept, down in (v.45) we see it was with joy

Yes, she was filled with the Holy Spirit

The is a great realization that Elizabeth has (v.43), what is it?

Mary was the Mother of my Lord, the Lord

Why else does Elizabeth call Mary blessed (v.45)?

Because she believed

Mary was in Nazareth of Galilee (1:26) and now she went, in a hurry to hill country of Judah (about 80mi or so) to see her relative.

One commentator said: “Mary probably understood that not many people could understand her experience with Gabriel and miraculous conception. If anyone could understand, it might be Elizabeth.”

Mary comes into the home and the baby leaped in her womb. John was not born yet. Yet he leapt in Elizabeth’s womb, how?

The baby is just that a baby, he was alive

John had some spiritual awareness of who came in and the significance of that.

Elizabeth is then filled with the Holy Spirit, God’s Spirit, God’s protection, God’s wisdom given to her.

“Trapp said: “Such comfort there is in the presence of Christ (though but in the womb) as it made John to spring. What then shall it be in heaven, thing we?

Elizabeth’s blessing

Blessed are you among women

Blessed is the fruit of your womb

Let me combine the two blessings: Elizabeth believed the word spoken to Zacharias by the angel about what her son would do, prepare the way. And here comes the one who was to come.

Elizabeth was still pregnant, John not born yet

Zacharias was still mute, yet she believed, she knew whom she was carrying and the child leapt for joy in her.

This faith that Elizabeth shows here comes with the filling of the Holy Spirit.

Our faith grows as the work of the Holy Spirit works in us.

Blessed is she who believed

Elizabeth knew Mary had active faith in God in whom the angel brought the message to, knowing that there would be a fulfillment.

Mary had an active faith, a submissive faith, a longing faith. Elizabeth knew Mary as not passive in faith, but active “she who believed in the prophesy given.” Elizabeth in (v.45) gives a word of encouragement “there will be a fulfillment!”

The Magnificat

What is the first thing you think of doing, or do when you are blessed?

With Mary it is to praise God!

Luke 1:46–48 NASB95

46 And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48 “For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.

Luke 1:49–50 NASB95

49 “For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. 50 “And His mercy is upon generation after generation Toward those who fear Him.

Luke 1:51–52 NASB95

51 “He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. 52 “He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble.

Luke 1:53–54 NASB95

53 “He has filled the hungry with good things; And sent away the rich empty-handed. 54 “He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy,

Luke 1:55–56 NASB95

55 As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever.” 56 And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home.

What mood do you see in this section?

Joy! Joyous (v.47)

What is the occasion for this song of praise?

This is after she is called blessed by Elizabeth (v.42)

Where is Mary when this takes place?

Hill country to a city in Judah (v.39)

You see the pronoun “my” and “me” several times in this passage, what do you learn from these?

My soul exalts (47)

My spirit has rejoiced (47)

in My God, My Savior (47)

I will be counted blessed in all generations (48)

Had done great things for me (49)

What does Mary say God has done (vv.50-55)?

Given mercy on generation after generation (50)

Mighty deeds with His arm (51)

Scattered the proud (51)

Brought down rulers (52)

Exalted the humble (52)

Filled the hungry (53)

Sent the rich away empty handed (53)

Given help to Israel (54)

Spoke to our fathers (v.55)

If to sum all this up in brief:

He has: given His mercy on those who fear Him from generation to generation. He has shown His strength with His arm and has scattered the proud and brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly, fed the hungry and sent the rich away empty handed. He has helped his people, his servant Israel in remembrance of His mercy as he spoke to Abraham the seed forever!

This is something that was not new. This is reminiscent to Hannah’s song (turn with me to 1Saom2:1-10)

1 Samuel 2:1–4 “1 Then Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord, My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation. 2 “There is no one holy like the Lord, Indeed, there is no one besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God. 3 “Boast no more so very proudly, Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; For the Lord is a God of knowledge, And with Him actions are weighed. 4 “The bows of the mighty are shattered, But the feeble gird on strength.”

1 Samuel 2:5–8 “5 “Those who were full hire themselves out for bread, But those who were hungry cease to hunger. Even the barren gives birth to seven, But she who has many children languishes. 6 “The Lord kills and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. 7 “The Lord makes poor and rich; He brings low, He also exalts. 8 “He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts the needy from the ash heap To make them sit with nobles, And inherit a seat of honor; For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, And He set the world on them.”

1 Samuel 2:9–10 “9 “He keeps the feet of His godly ones, But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; For not by might shall a man prevail. 10 “Those who contend with the Lord will be shattered; Against them He will thunder in the heavens, The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; And He will give strength to His king, And will exalt the horn of His anointed.””

Mary, even though just a teenager knew history, brought in history of the goodness of the Lord.

Scriptures on her heart came out in praise from her lips!

Boone says: “Mary was great gifted, highly privileged. She did exactly what such greatly blessed people should od: Mary magnified the Lord. This remedies pride and self-congratulation and is something every blessed believer should do.”

Notice

Luke 1:47 NLT

47 How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!

This does not say “your” savior. It says “my” see mary was not immaculate. Her conception was. She was not without sin. She needed a Savior just like we do. This puts away the dogma that some believe that she because of God’s grace from conception was made sinless. — - - see only sinners need a Savior, Mary needed one as do we!

Mary was not putting her trust and praise in Joseph or any person, but in God and God alone

Mary was not putting her trust in peoples (political parties, etc), but in God and God alone

Mary did not even trust her and her works, she trusted God that what was said to her was true and she was highly favored by Him for this task!

Barclay said: “To Mary was granted the blessedness of being the mother of the Son of God. . . Yet that very blessedness was to be a sword to pierce her heart. It meant that some day she would have to see her son hanging on a cross.”

Remember Mary was versed in the scriptures. She would be familiar with what the Messiah would go through. To suffer to die. He would die by being lifted up and nailed to a tree.

One last question, Mary was told she was blessed by the angel. How do you know you are blessed today?