The
hymn that Mary sang on hearing Elizabeth’s greetings is known as the “Magnificat.”
It derives its meaning from the first line of the incantation. It simply means “My
soul magnifies the Lord.” It’s Mary’s expression of faith and response to all
that God was doing in her life. All these tell us why God would choose her to
be the vessel to bear the Lord Jesus. The Magnificat reveals that Mary was full
of Old Testament Scriptures. On examination, we will see that her profound
expression is truly a carefully structured poem, a tapestry so well woven with
Scriptures and theological statements.
Mary’s
focus was not to herself but the blessings she had been granted. How beautiful
and God-honoring were her opening words: ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my
spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior ….” She merely wanted God to have all the honor
and praise. By acknowledging that the baby she bore was none other than the
Savior, she had in fact conceited that she was not sinless. Through her song
Mary introduces us to the saving work of the Lord Jesus, who have regarded the
poor, the humble and the unknown.
Here Mary uses two words soul and spirit to
express her deep feeling. These words refer to her inner self, the real “I” of
a person. Here she is powerfully and emotionally revealing how she truly feels at
the root of her very being. She is saying that her total being and everything that
she is, she magnifies and amplifies the Lord. Magnifying the Lord, making the
Lord great with our entire spirit and soul is God’s desire for our lives today.
Know it or not, this is also God’s desires whenever we, the redeemed of the
Lord, gather in worship. He wants us to magnify Him.
In verse 48, Mary went on to give personal reasons
for her exuberant adoration and praise for the Lord. For God did not despise
her low and humble estate but had instead considered her worthy to be the
instrument to bear the deliverer of the world. Here Mary echoes what the Lord
said in the Beatitudes. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom
of heaven.” Continuing to give her reason for the exuberant praise, Mary said, “…henceforth,
all generation will call me blessed.” This is not suggesting that she would be
worshipped but rather that she would be remembered. Every time anyone
experiences Christ they will know that His earthly mother was indeed none other
than the humble Mary.
In verses 49 and 50, Mary looked away from herself
to God and profoundly states the other reason why God deserves to be praised
and magnified. She pointed to God’s power, holiness and eternal mercy. “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.” God had allowed Mary to participate
in His perfect program. What a privilege!
What do we make out of all these? Like Mary, all of us must magnify God who has also considered us worthy to know and experience Jesus, His Son. He has invited us to participate in His power, holiness and mercy, not because we are great but because He is great and compassionate. So in response, let’s consider how blessed and privileged we are to be enlisted into His occupational force here on earth. We must witness to the truth that God through Christ Jesus is reconciling the world to Himself.
What do we make out of all these? Like Mary, all of us must magnify God who has also considered us worthy to know and experience Jesus, His Son. He has invited us to participate in His power, holiness and mercy, not because we are great but because He is great and compassionate. So in response, let’s consider how blessed and privileged we are to be enlisted into His occupational force here on earth. We must witness to the truth that God through Christ Jesus is reconciling the world to Himself.
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