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.” Luke [1:46]-55
In our reading of the 4 Gospels, especially the synoptic Gospels; Matthew, Mark, and Luke, it can be easy to miss some of the things that are happening in what seems the everyday occurrences in Jesus’ life.
Jesus came to fulfill the promise that God had made to the Israelite nation; before it was a nation, and it was just Jacob and a lot of selfish and conniving sons. Before it was Jacob it was a promise to Isaac and Rebekah and twins that were to be born. Before Isaac and Rebecca it was Abram and Sarai growing old and waiting on a child to be born. On and on we could go and would end up in the Garden with Adam, Eve, and a fleeing serpent.
Mary knew God’s promise and the change it would bring. Beth Moore says it well:
Mary was aware that God had promised her nation a special renown as a servant-ruler to the world. In verses 54 and 55, Mary is obviously aware of the covenant being fulfilled before her eyes. I’m not sure we can comprehend the mind-set of the ancient Hebrews. Their belief system was not just a religion to them-it was life. God was as much a part of their politics as their religious practices.
Jesus is King. The Pharisees found this out at the empty tomb and you and I are challenged daily to accept this reality and allow His Kingdom to come on earth (in our lives and influence) as it is in Heaven (the presence of God).
Daniel Harding