Luke 1:39-56 Notes

Notes

God’s Glory in Salvation through Judgment: A Biblical Theology 5.1. Preparation for Jesus’ Ministry (Luke 1–3)

Mary’s paean of praise celebrates the God who saves the weak and humble by visiting justice against prideful oppressors (Luke 1:46–55).

Concerning the role of the covenants in Scripture and the people of God:

God’s Kingdom through God’s Covenants: A Concise Biblical Theology The Purpose of the Abrahamic Covenant—How the Grand Story Unfolds

Exegesis of the relevant texts has shown that, although the cultural-historical setting and language of Genesis 12–26 differ from Genesis 1–3 or Genesis 6–9, the main idea is still that God is establishing his rule in the context of a covenant relationship. Abraham and his descendants will be a light to the nations in this matter.

Concerning the coming of the Holy Spirit:

Galatians 3:

Galatians 3:14 CSB

14 The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus, so that we could receive the promised Spirit through faith.

God’s Kingdom through God’s Covenants: A Concise Biblical Theology The Purpose of the Abrahamic Covenant—How the Grand Story Unfolds

He accomplished both by dying on the cross. Several texts in the New Testament specifically connect the coming of Jesus Christ with the Abrahamic covenant. First, Luke 1:54–55:

[54] He has helped his servant Israel,

remembering to be merciful

[55] to Abraham and his descendants forever,

even as he said to our fathers.

The Abrahamic Covenant features prominently here

Big picture view: we see here what we have been seeing throughout Scripture; this is one story from beginning to end

Like we saw in , Jesus is the fulfillment of what was spoken long ago

But in an even greater sense we see here that Jesus is THE fulfillment of the very promise which became the foundation of God’s interaction with all mankind

So this makes Jesus a huge deal; all that Israel—and the world—had been waiting for was now here in Christ Jesus

Has anybody ever made a promise to you?

Depending on who it was, it may have given you a measure of confidence

If it was a trustworthy promise and the promise was good, then you were probably excited about it actually happening

God made a promise to Israel and they had been excited about it happening for a long time

Now it was finally coming to pass! The promises to Abraham are fulfilled in Christ Jesus.

Studies in Dogmatics: Faith and Justification Chapter VII: The Value of Faith

Mary sings her Magnificat and reveals the tremendous revolution that is under way: the mighty are displaced from their thrones, the proud are broken in the citadels of their hearts, the rich are turned away empty, while the hungry are filled and the humble exalted (Luke 1:51–53). It began, actually, in the Old Testament, as David witnesses: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Ps. 51:17).