Mary's Song (2)

And Mary Said

I ask you to consider the very revolutionary aspect of these words. “Mary’s Song (The Magnificat) Why do I say revolutionary? Mary publicly praises God for the very child that grows within her. These verses were so controversial that William Temple (Arch Bishop of Canterbury) once told his missionaries to India never to read the Magnificat in public. Mary speaks of things to come now that this has happened.

Jesus, the unborn child, is the ultimate revolutionary. The child will turn the world’s perspective upside down. (NRSV)

50 His mercy is for those who fear him

from generation to generation.

What Mary was prophesying was something that would make the establishment shutter. The establishment-the very word-

es•tab•lish•ment \i-ˈsta-blish-mənt\ noun

15th century

1: something established: as

a: a settled arrangement especially: a code of laws

Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc.

meant that things were already set. People have established these laws to benefit themselves. What Mary suggests is that world order is changing because of her unborn child.

The evidence of things to come are listed in Mary’s Song-Luke 1:51–53 (NRSV)

51 He has shown strength with his arm;

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,

and lifted up the lowly;

53 he has filled the hungry with good things,

and sent the rich away empty.

The things that God is doing through Mary because of this child areLuke 1:51 (NRSV)

51 He has shown strength with his arm;

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

Do you see that what God is doing through this child is to turn the establishment upside down. But ask yourself, “How do I feel about the word of God? “ We can find ourselves being part of the establishment that wants the privileges of being a have over a have not. (NRSV)

52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,

and lifted up the lowly; Our God is doing these things and depending on your social stature in this world, you will make a stand one way or the other. Often times we will push back against God and what He calls us to do. It is not fair to ask this of me. You might say.

God has been speaking to our fore fathers forever, he speaks to you now; what he says to you matters; how you respond matters.