And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord."
--Luke 1:46 (NKJV)
From the daily Bible reading on July 17, 2013 of Psalm 119:113-120; Luke 1:26-56; 1 Chronicles 24:20-26:19.
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a small city in the region of Galilee. There he appeared to a young woman named Mary, a virgin betrothed (a deeper commitment than our "engagement") to Joseph, a son of the house of David. Much scripture in the Old Testament points to the Son of God who will reign as King forever coming from the descendants of David. We see references mostly in the stories of David's life, such as in the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, but also in the words of the prophets like Isaiah. To fulfill prophecy, to complete God's will, the final and eternal King would be from the succession of David's offspring, and Joseph was of that line. But Joseph was only to be the future King's earthly father, for Gabriel revealed to Mary that not only was she soon to become pregnant, but that God through His Holy Spirit would be the child's Father and the child Himself would be the Son of God, which carries the additional meaning of "just like God" or "the same as God". So here is this young girl, likely an early-years teenager, being faced by a glorious angel who tells her she, who has not yet had any sexual relations with a man, would give birth to God. How absolutely stunning and surreal would that be!? What could anyone possibly say to a revelation like that? Mary basically replied, "As God wills, let it be done."
Such a calm response to an amazing and startling scenario gives evidence to the faith and trust Mary put in God. Her only question of how she could give birth without being with a man being answered by Gabriel, she quietly accepted God's will for her life. This strong faith would be shown again when Mary visits her relative Elizabeth, who herself bears the child that will be called John the Baptist, the forerunner for Christ, the voice crying out in the wilderness. The child in Elizabeth's belly leaped for joy at Mary's greeting, and Elizabeth knew that Mary carried the Lord within her. As they both acknowledged this remarkable and wonderful fact, Mary responded with today's focus verse: "My soul magnifies the Lord."
With all that was happening, with everything she had been told, with her entire world falling apart and being rebuilt right before her eyes, Mary's faith never wavered. Her trust in God allowed her to stay calm. With everything she was, with her very soul, Mary magnified God to all who could see; both God in heaven and God she would soon give birth to. How strong is our faith? How great is our trust? But the more important question is can others see Christ in us? We must let our souls, our very being, magnify the Lord. Amen.
Father God, You filled Mary with Your Holy Spirit and with Your Son. Thank You for blessing all of creation by this great gift to us all, and by the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. Please grant us the strength of faith so that all might see You in us. Please, may we always magnify You from our very souls. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Such a calm response to an amazing and startling scenario gives evidence to the faith and trust Mary put in God. Her only question of how she could give birth without being with a man being answered by Gabriel, she quietly accepted God's will for her life. This strong faith would be shown again when Mary visits her relative Elizabeth, who herself bears the child that will be called John the Baptist, the forerunner for Christ, the voice crying out in the wilderness. The child in Elizabeth's belly leaped for joy at Mary's greeting, and Elizabeth knew that Mary carried the Lord within her. As they both acknowledged this remarkable and wonderful fact, Mary responded with today's focus verse: "My soul magnifies the Lord."
With all that was happening, with everything she had been told, with her entire world falling apart and being rebuilt right before her eyes, Mary's faith never wavered. Her trust in God allowed her to stay calm. With everything she was, with her very soul, Mary magnified God to all who could see; both God in heaven and God she would soon give birth to. How strong is our faith? How great is our trust? But the more important question is can others see Christ in us? We must let our souls, our very being, magnify the Lord. Amen.
Father God, You filled Mary with Your Holy Spirit and with Your Son. Thank You for blessing all of creation by this great gift to us all, and by the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. Please grant us the strength of faith so that all might see You in us. Please, may we always magnify You from our very souls. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
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