Mary, Did You Know?

And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. “For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. “For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. “And His mercy is upon generation after generation Toward those who fear Him. “He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. “He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble. “He has filled the hungry with good things; And sent away the rich empty-handed. “He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever.”

Luke 1:46-55

Don’t you just love Christmas Music? There is something about singing songs about Christmas that is refreshing, don’t you think? Now, of course there are many so-called Christmas songs that are secular- they point to Santa or simply a winter setting. There are funny songs, and let’s just face it, bad songs- but there are also worshipful songs that really emphasize the true celebration and wonder of Christmas.

Intro: Don’t you just love Christmas Music? There is something about singing songs about Christmas that is refreshing, don’t you think? Now, of course there are many so-called Christmas songs that are secular- they point to Santa or simply a winter setting. There are funny songs, and let’s just face it, bad songs- but there are also worshipful songs that really emphasize the true celebration and wonder of Christmas.

CONTEXT

Last week we looked at a prophecy in the book of Isaiah. This week, we fast forward 700 years to a time when Christ was still unknown to most of the world. That’s right, in our text today, Jesus has yet to be born. Joseph is unaware- indeed nobody but Mary knows.

As we look back just a few verses, we see that just following Mary’s conversation with Gabriel (), she gets up and leaves in a hurry (39) to go to her cousin Elizabeth’s place.

Luke 1:26–38 NASB95

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. “And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. “For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Mary was likely nervous, after all, she just agreed to have a baby and she was unmarried, unemployed… her future husband and the community she was in would likely have some adverse reaction to this

She might have been wondering if this could really be happening

Would anyone believe her?

So as Mary entered into the house of Elizabeth, something remarkable happened. Elizabeth, who, btw was old and barren, was also pregnant with a miracle baby who we know as John the Baptist. When Mary greeted Elizabeth, John the pre-born Baptist, leaped in Elizabeth’s womb! And Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit rejoiced in Mary’s situation. I think that God revealed this to Elizabeth supernaturally and used her to reassure Mary and to celebrate with her the miracle that God was performing.

And as we come to our passage for today, we might ask, What did Mary know?

Every mother dreams of who their child will become and what all they might do, but in these verses we get to see Mary’s heart as she reflects upon what God is doing. And, get this, she does so in song! And you thought that only happened in Disney movies!!

The Honor of Being Involved (46-49)

We see Mary begin her song in praise- She is overwhelmed both emotionally and spiritually because God allowed her to be used in His great work.

Think: God could have used any number of women to fulfill this.

God could have used a woman from a wealthy home

He could have used a woman who could give Jesus a better platform for ministry

He could have used a woman who had better cooking skills, better network of people- someone who would be more adequately equipped to handle such a responsibility of bearing the Son of God…

But He chose Mary. A poor girl from a despised town, Nazareth in Galilee. BTW, if you remember from last week, this is the town Isaiah prophesied would be where God’s light would shine!

Mary knew of the promised Messiah, but never did she expect that she would get to give birth to Him!!

God was doing something remarkable, and Mary of all people, got to be involved!

She was not the promised Redeemer. She was not sinless nor divine, but God chose her to have a role in God’s work. What an honor! What a responsibility!

“Who am I, Lord?” she must have thought, “that You would use me?”

Do you ever think in these terms? God has given us Jesus. He has filled us with His Holy Spirit and allows us to help deliver the Good News of our Redeemer. But who am I? God could use a more talented speaker, a better communicator, a larger church or someone more adequate than you and me… but that’s just the point. It’s not about US, It’s about Jesus. It’s about a God who is not limited to our abilities. Because nothing is impossible with God (), we are recipient vessels to be used for God’s glory!

Paul says that we have been entrusted with the Gospel () - not unlike Mary being entrusted with the Savior.

Do you praise God for involving you or do you wince over the sacrifice that He asks?

Mary knew this great weight and great privilege and regarded herself as blessed that God would invite her into this miraculous work- this awesome intervention, when God became flesh and dwelled among us.

The Great Mercy of God’s Presence (50-53)

Mary recognized that this baby- this miracle meant that God would be present among men. As we discussed last week, speaks about a child being born and named Immanuel which means “God with us.” And what we have to see here is that God’s presence is a wonderful and frightening reality.

Remember, God is Holy. He is just.

When Isaiah saw the vision of God in the temple (), he was made aware of his own unrighteousness.

When Moses asked to see God’s glory in , God told him he couldn’t bear to see it, but only was allowed a glimpse after God passed by. And do you remember what happened? His face shone!!

Even the priest who would enter into the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the people understood that it was there that the presence of God would meet with him and His presence met in order to bring judgment.

You see, what Mary knew, was that even though we deserved God’s presence to bring about judgment, instead He gave us Jesus!

This is a great reason to sing, don’t you think?!?!

And this miracle of mercy, Jesus, would impact every generation to come!

This is good news, for God poured out His mercy.

But Mary points out that pride would prevent God’s mercy, for God opposes the proud.

Let me say it this way, the great mercy of God is extended, but we cannot receive His mercy unless we acknowledge our need for it.

The proud trust in themselves. The humble lean on God- trusting in Him alone.

Jesus said, in , Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

We can look through the gospels at the characters known as Pharisees, who opposed Jesus. They had bought into the idea that their acceptance before God was to be earned through their own effort and abilities.

Friend, it is a dangerous place to be when we look upon our lives and feel as if we ‘have done enough’ for God. When we feel as though we deserve heaven; when we feel as though we are enough, we have bought into the lies of the enemy.

King Nebuchadnezzar learned this lesson. Let me read to you from

Daniel 4:28–37 NASB95

“All this happened to Nebuchadnezzar the king. “Twelve months later he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon. “The king reflected and said, ‘Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?’ “While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you, and you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes.’ “Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled; and he was driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. “But at the end of that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever; For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom endures from generation to generation. “All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’ “At that time my reason returned to me. And my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom, and my counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my sovereignty, and surpassing greatness was added to me. “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.”

If you have trouble praising God, it might be because you are trying to sit in His seat.

In Mary’s song, she praises God for His blessing upon her and she praises Him for His mercy for all generations.

If you have trouble praising God, it might be because you are trying to sit in His seat.

Mary knew that God’s character was consistent and that pride would prevent one from experiencing the mercy that was given to the generations.

The Answer to God’s Promises (54-55)

One thing we have to acknowledge about Mary: She knew the Scriptures. She was well-versed in the promises of God throughout the Old Testament. She knew that God had promised One who would crush the head of the serpent (). She knew that God had promised one who would be the blessing spoken of to Abraham. She knew the promises made to Moses and later to David. She knew that there was going to be a Messiah who would come and who would deliver us from our bondage- she knew that the coming Redeemer would bring peace and would restore humanity to our Holy God.

And she knew that Jesus was the answer to these promises.

I doubt that Mary knew how God would do all this- she probably didn’t expect Him to walk on water or calm seas. But she did expect that He would do the impossible. And we see that in the days after Jesus’ birth, Mary would be told about how angels had pronounced His birth, and she would hear the words of Simeon in the temple and the prophetess Anna as well and she knew that this baby boy was indeed the Son of God.

Look at what she says in v. 55. “In remembrance of His mercy...”

God kept His covenant

God did not change His mind - He is faithful and true.

As we celebrate Christmas each year, we celebrate the fulfillment of God’s promises. We sing “Joy to the World” and “O Holy Night” as we rejoice in God’s Son.

Because God is faithful- because He kept these promises, we can be confident that He will keep His promises to the Church.

Let me remind you of a few of these:

He paid the price for our sins and said that if we call upon His name, we will be saved. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

He has gone to prepare a place for us ()

He is going to come back one day.

At that time, He will gather His church and judge the world

Church, I think we can safely say that Mary knew, but the bigger question is, “Do you?”