Luke 1:46–55
For he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed. – Luke 1:48
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This passage is known as the Song of Mary, also called the Magnificat. The entire song presents a chiastic (interwoven symmetrical) structure with “praising God’s mercy” (v. 49-50) at the central focal point:
A. Mary magnifies the Lord (v. 46)
B. Praising God’s salvation (v. 47)
C. God regards the lowly (v. 48)
D. Praising God’s power (v. 49)
E. Praising God’s mercy (vv. 49–50)
D1. Praising God’s might (v. 51)
C1. God exalts the humble (vv. 52–53)
B1. Praising God’s faithfulness (vv. 54–55)
A1. Mary’s complete surrender (v. 56)
This is also a song of humility and thanksgiving:
● Verses 46–49: Mary praises what God has done in her own life
● Verses 51–55: Mary praises what God has done in her nation and people
Mary was the earthly mother of Jesus Christ. When she learned she would conceive a child as a virgin, and that “the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (1:35), she was not overwhelmed by the sudden news. Instead, she carefully sought confirmation. Luke’s Gospel records at least twice that Mary “pondered deeply” the word of God (1:29; 2:19). This is a beautiful reminder. Mary was not overwhelmed by the extraordinary things that happened to her, indicating that she regularly reflected on God’s words in her daily life. She didn’t act based on her own will but was always ready and willing to let God’s will be fulfilled in her life.
Only a person who is prepared can become someone who fulfills God’s will. So when Mary confirmed that this was truly from God, she didn’t first consider her own reputation. Instead, she chose to submit and humble herself. Even when she learned that the child she would bear was the Son of the Most High, she didn’t think she was outstanding or deserving. Instead, she acknowledged before God that she was merely a “lowly servant,” and that being chosen as a vessel for God was a blessing (v. 48).
In our everyday lives, we are often intoxicated by status and identity. Once we attain a position, we start to seek the rights that come with it, forgetting that God gave us that position so we could better serve Him. And we are to use that identity to accomplish the work He’s called us to do. May the Lord help us learn from Mary. No matter how our status or role changes, nothing should separate us from the love of God. In all things, let us magnify the Lord, letting Him be the centre of our lives, the focus of our actions, and constantly praising His deeds.
The latter part of the Magnificat (vv. 51–55) is Mary’s praise for God’s work in her nation and people. She recounts God’s past actions: He has shown strength with His arm, scattered “the proud,” brought down “rulers,” exalted “the humble,” filled “the hungry with good things,” and sent “the rich away empty.” Yet, He has shown mercy to Abraham and his descendants forever. Mary clearly recognized God’s deeds and thanked God for the grace bestowed upon her nation and people.
This coming Sunday marks the 128th anniversary of Foochow Methodist Church. As we reflect on the path taken by our predecessors, do we see God’s hand guiding them along the way? We give thanks that our predecessors have left us a stable place of worship, but the church is not merely about buildings or facilities. Instead, it is about whether there are faithful people after God’s own heart who continue to seek His will in our lives.
Reflection:
In this season of counting God’s blessings, let us reflect on what we have done in God’s household to bring glory to His name. In the days to come, how can we offer ourselves to continue being God’s vessels?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we pray that You grant us humble and trusting hearts, always preparing ourselves to be vessels fit for Your use. May the Holy Spirit continually remind us that we are blessed to be a blessing to others. Let our entire lives be lived in accordance with Your will. We pray in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
Click to read
This passage is known as the Song of Mary, also called the Magnificat. The entire song presents a chiastic (interwoven symmetrical) structure with “praising God’s mercy” (v. 49-50) at the central focal point:
A. Mary magnifies the Lord (v. 46)
B. Praising God’s salvation (v. 47)
C. God regards the lowly (v. 48)
D. Praising God’s power (v. 49)
E. Praising God’s mercy (vv. 49–50)
D1. Praising God’s might (v. 51)
C1. God exalts the humble (vv. 52–53)
B1. Praising God’s faithfulness (vv. 54–55)
A1. Mary’s complete surrender (v. 56)
This is also a song of humility and thanksgiving:
● Verses 46–49: Mary praises what God has done in her own life
● Verses 51–55: Mary praises what God has done in her nation and people
Mary was the earthly mother of Jesus Christ. When she learned she would conceive a child as a virgin, and that “the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (1:35), she was not overwhelmed by the sudden news. Instead, she carefully sought confirmation. Luke’s Gospel records at least twice that Mary “pondered deeply” the word of God (1:29; 2:19). This is a beautiful reminder. Mary was not overwhelmed by the extraordinary things that happened to her, indicating that she regularly reflected on God’s words in her daily life. She didn’t act based on her own will but was always ready and willing to let God’s will be fulfilled in her life.
Only a person who is prepared can become someone who fulfills God’s will. So when Mary confirmed that this was truly from God, she didn’t first consider her own reputation. Instead, she chose to submit and humble herself. Even when she learned that the child she would bear was the Son of the Most High, she didn’t think she was outstanding or deserving. Instead, she acknowledged before God that she was merely a “lowly servant,” and that being chosen as a vessel for God was a blessing (v. 48).
In our everyday lives, we are often intoxicated by status and identity. Once we attain a position, we start to seek the rights that come with it, forgetting that God gave us that position so we could better serve Him. And we are to use that identity to accomplish the work He’s called us to do. May the Lord help us learn from Mary. No matter how our status or role changes, nothing should separate us from the love of God. In all things, let us magnify the Lord, letting Him be the centre of our lives, the focus of our actions, and constantly praising His deeds.
The latter part of the Magnificat (vv. 51–55) is Mary’s praise for God’s work in her nation and people. She recounts God’s past actions: He has shown strength with His arm, scattered “the proud,” brought down “rulers,” exalted “the humble,” filled “the hungry with good things,” and sent “the rich away empty.” Yet, He has shown mercy to Abraham and his descendants forever. Mary clearly recognized God’s deeds and thanked God for the grace bestowed upon her nation and people.
This coming Sunday marks the 128th anniversary of Foochow Methodist Church. As we reflect on the path taken by our predecessors, do we see God’s hand guiding them along the way? We give thanks that our predecessors have left us a stable place of worship, but the church is not merely about buildings or facilities. Instead, it is about whether there are faithful people after God’s own heart who continue to seek His will in our lives.
Reflection:
In this season of counting God’s blessings, let us reflect on what we have done in God’s household to bring glory to His name. In the days to come, how can we offer ourselves to continue being God’s vessels?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we pray that You grant us humble and trusting hearts, always preparing ourselves to be vessels fit for Your use. May the Holy Spirit continually remind us that we are blessed to be a blessing to others. Let our entire lives be lived in accordance with Your will. We pray in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!