Characters at the Cradle: Mary’s Magnificat, God Loves Israel

by David Chadwick

Mary’s Magnificat in Luke 1:46-56 depicts a profound display of praise and adoration from Mary toward God. In the Latin Vulgate translation, “magnificat” means “magnifies.” These verses are designed to purely magnify the Lord God.

In verses 54 and 55, Mary said, “He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

These verses mark a shift in Mary from praise for what God had done for her personally to praise for what this child would do for Israel. Mary knew that this gift of a Savior would be the greatest display of salvation that Israel had ever seen. Jesus would fulfill the promise of a Messiah, as promised throughout the Old Testament.

Through Jesus, the Israelites would remember God’s mercy for them in spite of their rebellion. They deserved dispersion and God’s punishment forever. But God, rich in mercy, not only brings the Israelites back to the land, but also shows them mercy, restoration, blessing, and hope.

God spoke to Abraham with covenant promises and then to his offspring through Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses. Throughout history, God continued to speak. And now, through Jesus, God would speak again!

Jesus, the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, and God in human flesh, would invade a dark world to reclaim all that was lost because of sin. Jesus was the ultimate display that God was not finished with Israel yet and that he still had a plan for salvation for Israel.

God’s love for Israel is clearly seen here. It was revealed through Jesus’s life, death, resurrection, ascension, and Second Coming. But this love didn’t stop with Israel. This message has always been for the masses! The love of Jesus is so radical that it was always designed to spill out onto the whole world. Salvation belongs to Jews and Gentiles, male and female, young and old, rich and poor.

This salvation message has transcended generations and times. The love of God for Israel was the seedbed in which the miracle message of salvation was able to grow, multiply, and touch the ends of the earth.

To you and me. All praise to our God for his lovingkindness!

Characters at the Cradle: Mary’s Magnificat, The Greatness of God

by David Chadwick

The greatness of God is one of the profound mysteries of the Christian faith. His glory, his majesty, his dominion, his power. Our God is mighty! But in his greatness and might, he chose to come down to earth, taking on the form of a servant, to live the perfect life none of us could live, die the death we deserved, and restore anyone who responds to his salvation by grace through faith back into relationship with the Father.

In Luke 1:50-53, Mary expounded upon what the birth of Jesus would mean for those who are weak or feel insignificant, for those who are hungry and desperate. She emphasized the mercy of God that extends for all generations. The same mercy available to Mary is available to us. Isn’t that wonderfully good news?

God doesn’t give us what we deserve. He gives mercy to everyone who fears him; to those who have a deep, awesome respect for him. This was Mary. Is this you? Do you ever contemplate how awesome and great God is?

There was nothing significant about this 13-14-year-old virgin girl except her faith. And God chose to use her magnificently. He wants to do the same for you and me. The same God who pursued Mary for his will to be done on earth, pursues you and me as well.

For a moment, pause and think about all the great things God has done for you. As you reflect on his goodness, you will begin to count all of the miraculous deeds accomplished for you. And you will be reminded of his strength. God’s strength is big enough to overshadow any problem we face.

Under God’s humility and strength, the proud are scattered (verse 51). Just like with the Tower of Babel, God refuses to allow the proud to gather together for harm. He scatters enemies to thwart their malicious plans.

Don’t wrestle and fight against God’s will. Rather, surrender to it. Yield to his mighty hand. In fact, James 4:8 says that those who humble themselves in the sight of the Lord will be lifted up to a place of honor.

God fills the hungry and the humble with good things. But to the rich and haughty, they will be sent away empty-handed. God uses the seeming foolish things of this world to confound the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27).

Being a fool for Jesus is always the better choice. When we are weak, only then are we actually strong because our strength is found in his strength (2 Corinthians 12:9)!

Characters at the Cradle: Mary’s Magnificat, God Looked

by David Chadwick

Today we will focus on Luke 1:48-49, which says, “For he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”

God looked at Mary. He saw her. But think about this for a moment. Mary spent her life looking to Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Jacob, and Isaac. In turn, God looked to Mary to help him accomplish the greatest mission ever accomplished: the salvation of the world.

The gospel of Jesus is a “to you, through you” gospel. God did not just save us for eternity. He has invited us into a partnership with him to reveal his nature and character and to release the message of salvation to a dying and hurting world. We see this evidenced in Mary’s life.

Mary’s praise parallels Hannah’s similar hymn of praise in 1 Samuel 2:10 when Hannah learned that she was finally with child after years and years of waiting. In both situations, it appears that God “looked” and pursued these women to give birth to special people: Hannah to Samuel and Mary to Jesus.

God’s pursuit of us should prompt lives of praise. His love for us should build hearts of worship. Mary knew this. She understood the unworthiness of her life apart from her Creator. She knew that she was just an ordinary human, and she lived from that humble place. God’s greatest servants recognize that they are nothing great in the world’s eyes. This should serve as a reminder to all of us that God looks for availability more than ability.

Mary continued to be overwhelmed with praise as she realized future generations would look upon her life and call her blessed; that for all time people would know that she was the special vessel through whom God chose to reveal himself in human form.

From there, Mary’s praise extended beyond the impact that Jesus’s life would have on the physical world. She began to express profound magnification of the greatness of God. She had an eternal perspective. Mary was overwhelmed by God’s goodness and by his decision to choose her to bear, give birth to, and raise the Christ child. She could hardly believe this “great thing” God had done for her and for the world. She began to sing, “Holy is his name.” She knew the name of God was set apart. It was different from any other name.

The power of God, which would be displayed through the name of Jesus, would be totally perfect in every way.

For Jesus alone deserves all worship, all praise, and all glory!