There any many songs in the Old Testament some of them triumphant , and some of them lament. In between these is a song of hope. This week we’ll be walking through Mary’s song. We’ll ask two questions: 1) Why did Mary sing? 2) What did she sing about? From the series, “The Sound of Hope” at Apostles Raleigh.
Micah 5:2-5a
Luke 1:39-55
Despite Mary’s lack of comprehension, she says yes to God’s invitation to her. She is surrendering to the mystery of God.
Mary is willing to say yes to God, knowing how much this consent will cost her.
Sometimes, like Mary, the best we can do is say yes, without knowing how God will work things out, and without having joy in God’s plan. This is not where we want to be, and this is not where God wants us to be.
The angel Gabriel prompts Mary to vist her cousin Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth sees Mary, she does two things:
Only when Elizabeth confirms the angel’s message to Mary, does Mary breakout into a song of hope. Without Elizabeth there would be no Magnificat.
Mary got the angel but she also needed was Elizabeth to confirm and strengthen her.
We need people alongside us if we want to hear God’s voice.
In the last six years, there has been a 50% decrease in the amount of time Americans spend with each other. Most people are lonely.
Our faith is more than our horizontal relationships with each other but it is not less.
Mary begins her song by singing about her uniqueness and similarity.
Mary sings about the transformation at the core of her being.
She spends most of her song singing about the work of the Lord.
When God comes, things shake. They do not stay the same.
The poor and humble will rejoice at the coming of God. But the arrogant, smug, and proud will be scattered.