Edited by Steve Fountain from a sermon on December 9, 2012 called "The Magnificat: My Soul Magnifies."
She sings with
joy — even though she has lost everything and founding her greatest joy. In previously looking at the Virgin
Birth, we remember that Mary was betrothed and a virgin, but ran the very risk
of loosing a husband because of misunderstanding. She traveled south to be with her older cousin, Elizabeth,
and found her to be six months pregnant.
Her stay with extended family would be marked by changes in her
emotions as a baby grows in her womb. As the pregnancy wore on, there would be
excitement — but also the weight of anxiety and apprehension. Mary was being reduced and absorbed into something bigger than herself.
Yet, through 10 verses of song, Mary is full of joy.
The song of Mary has traditionally been called the Magnificat, which is just the Latin translation of the first few
words, “My Soul Magnifies.” In other words, Mary’s soul, her
spirit, is bursting with the impulse to make much of God.
In verse 46, we read these words: “And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
Because Mary is
making much of God, she is not only glorifying God, she is also enjoying him.
Is not the opposite of this making much of ourselves? We have a name for that activity, don’t
we? It is called pride. In verse
48, she recognizes her lowly position, in comparison to God. She repeats this theme of humility
through verses 51-53.
When we stop making ourselves the center of our world, and see God as
the center, the enjoyment of Him can only grow.
As you look at this song, the temptation will be to look at
it from the outside with a cold casualness. However, consider this truth: the miracle of conception in
the womb of a young girl without the aid of natural processes is actually no
different than the miracle of a new birth.
You need to see this truth. It makes the difference between a self-centered Christianity
and God-Centered Christianity. When we see the works of God in this way, we
make much of God.
Let’s notice three ways Mary makes much of God.
1. The Mercy of God (vv. 48-50): Please take a look at how Mary describes the Most High in verse
49. She describes him as holy. Don’t let the commonness of this word fool you. While God was pleased to save you, the
distance between you and God is greater than you think. There is a Grand Canyon between God’s
holiness and man’s sinfulness. Mary is overcome
with the greatness of God’s mercy.
And as she makes much of it, meditates on it, she is filled with
Joy. Mary recognizes that her
selection is merciful, and that this mercy is not just for her. God is merciful from generation to generation to
all who fear him (v. 50).
2. The Grace of God (vv. 51-53): In this section of Mary’s song the themes of mercy and
kindness continue, as she reflects on her personal life snd the power of God
that lifted her. But there is a
change in emphasis now. In verse 52, at the heart of this
section is Mary’s amazement that God would choose someone like her. The proud
(v.
51), the mighty (v. 52),
and the rich (v. 53) God sends away
empty (v. 53), but the humble, God exalts.
3. The Loyalty of God (vv. 54-55): Mary picks up the
mercy theme again, but with a new twist.
She recognizes that God is faithful, or another way of putting it, God
is loyal. The loyalty of God is
seen in the remembrance of his promises to Abraham (v. 55). Mary makes much of the loyalty of God,
that is, she finds joy in it.
God’s mercy, God’s grace, and God’s loyalty are worth
celebrating! Why don’t we?
Here is our struggle: As much as I
enjoy ______________, do I enjoy God more?
God has given us all things to enjoy, but do we enjoy them
more than God? Do we turn the
gifts of God, into substitute gods?
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
This is where real
joy is found! Let’s trade back the
fading treasures of this world, in exchange for Our Greatest Treasure — our
greatest joy!
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