Read Luke 1:26-55.
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…†(Luke 1:46-47)
Mary rejoiced in God her Savior because of Christ. We can too! What are specific ways to do this as a congregation during this Advent and Christmastide?
1. Let us know God our Savior in Jesus Christ (1:30-35) “…He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
God is for us and with us in Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:31-32). There is no saving knowledge of God outside of Jesus Christ. Salvation is an amazing work of God the Father for sinners through the incarnation of Christ by the Holy Spirit (1:31-33, 35, 37). Jesus is Mary’s great son, Son of the Most High God, and the Eternal King of David’s line come to save sinners. Jesus Christ is both God and man. Though truly born of Mary’s substance through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus is God in the flesh, the heir to David’s throne, the King of kings and Lord of Lords! Let us bow to Him as our Lord!
2. Let us know our humble estate before Him (1:48) “…He has looked on the humble estate of his servant….â€
Our salvation is all of grace, let us humble ourselves before Him. What can we boast of regarding our salvation? It is all because of God’s magnificent mercy and glorious grace to us in Christ (Eph. 2:4)! When we were neither seeking after God, nor desiring to please Him, when we were at enmity with Him as sworn enemies, God looked upon the rebellious world in pity and sent Christ in the fullness of the times to save sinners (John 3:16-17; Rom. 3:9ff; 5:6-8; 8:7-8; Gal. 4:4). As sinners we have nothing to offer God, so we must only receive and believe (Isa. 55:1-3, 6-7; Matt. 11:28-29; John 3:18, 36). Let us say with Mary by faith: “Behold, I am the servant of the LORD; Let it be to me according to your word†(Luke 1:38).
3. Let us know to fear Him (1:50) “And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.â€
God’s mercy is for those who truly love and fear Him. To fear God means that we desire to show our love through obedience to His Word, through devotion as we offer Him our hearts and worship, and through humble service as we daily give ourselves to Him in Christ (Gen. 22:12; Job 28:28; Psa. 19:9; 110:11; Eccl. 12:13; Isa. 33:6; Mal. 1:6; 2:5; 4:2; Acts 9:31; 2 Cor. 7:1).
4. Let us know His strength in our weakness and His opposition to pride (1:51-53) “He has shown strength…He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate…â€
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble†(James 4:6). God is not impressed, nor does He take pleasure in our strengths and proud positions, but rather He takes delight in those who fear him and hope in His steadfast love (Psa. 147:11). God calls the weak things in the world to shame the strong (1 Cor. 1:27), and hates pride and arrogance (Prov. 8:13; Amos 6:8), so let us boast of our strength in Christ that is made perfect in our weaknesses (2 Cor. 12:9-10).
5. Let us know that His promises are for us as Abraham’s children in Christ (1:54-55) “He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
All of God’s promises made throughout redemptive-history are received by faith and ultimately realized in Christ. All of God’s promises are “Yes†in Christ (2 Cor. 1:20). Gospel promises were made to Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:15)…and to us.; to Abraham (Gen. 12:2-3)…and to us; to Israel…and to us (Gal. 3:16, 26-29). Believers are the true Israel of God (Gal. 6:16).
LET US MAGNIFY GOD…AND REJOICE!!
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Biggs