Finally

Introduction

Count down to wedding day – leap year

Our text today is loaded with Old Testament expectation

Mary and Elizabeth

Luke 1:39–45 NIV

39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

She declares that Mary is blessed

A pronouncement of victory

Judges 5:24 NIV

“Most blessed of women be Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, most blessed of tent-dwelling women.

Elizabeth behaves towards Mary and her child like her son will one day behave towards Jesus “Why am I so favored?”

This is the opposite of the cultural expectation

It’s an exaltation of Christ

She calls the baby “Lord”

Even John acknowledges the greatness of the baby

Mary responds in a song of praise

God Blesses Mary

Luke 1:46–49 NIV

46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.

Mary needs a savior

God raises up the lowly

Hannah

David

She is personally blessed by her association with God’s plan of redemption

God Blesses Israel

Luke 1:50 NIV

50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.

Psalm 103:17 “17 But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—”

Luke 1:51 NIV

51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

Psalm 98:1 “1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.”

Luke 1:52 NIV

52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.

Psalm 75:7 “7 It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.”

Luke 1:53 NIV

53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.

Psalm 107:4–9 “4 Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. 5 They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. 6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 7 He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. 8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, 9 for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”

Luke 1:50–55 NIV

54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

Psalm 98:3 “3 He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.”

God Blesses Us

The is a song of fulfillment

A song makes us pause and claim something for ourselves

There is an even greater blessing than bearing the Messiah

Luke 11:27–28 NIV

27 As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.” 28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

God’s covenant blessing isn’t terminal, it expands.

God is the subject of these verbs; it is a call to celebration not revolution.

So, join the song

Elizabeth in seeing Jesus as Lord

Mary in seeing Jesus as Savior