Sunday School Lesson
December 25
Lesson 4 (KJV)
Mary Rejoices
Devotional Reading: Isaiah 9:1–7
Background Scripture: Luke 1:46–55 Luke
1:46–55
46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; 55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
Key Text
Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.—Luke 1:46–47
From Darkness to Light
Unit 1: God’s Preparation
Lessons 1–4
Lesson Aims
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. List key reasons for Mary’s rejoicing and praise.
2. Compare and contrast Mary’s Song with Zacharias’s Song (Luke 1:67–79; see lesson 2).
3. Compose two to four lines of a song of personal praise, using Mary’s Song as a model.
How to Say It
Advent Ad-vent.
anthropomorphic an-thruh-puh-mawr-fik.
Asaph Ay-saff. Barak Bair-uk.
Habakkuk Huh-back-kuk.
Magnificat Mag-nif-ih-cot.
Miriam Meer-ee-um.
patriarchs pay-tree-arks.
Simeon Sim-ee-un.
Introduction
A. Boasting or Celebrating?
No one likes a braggart, but most people like to celebrate accomplishments. We celebrate athletes when they win, employees when they receive the long-awaited promotion, and parents after the birth of their child.
Many people consider it to be rude for a person to congratulate his or her own successes publicly. Even worse, we are disgusted by people who exaggerate their own accomplishments. These people frequently congratulate and celebrate themselves more than doing the same for others. When people become braggarts, others may cringe.
Instead, it is far more acceptable to celebrate the accomplishments of another person. In this context, even over-the-top bragging and praise are tolerated.
Two forms of bragging are evident in today’s Scripture: one directed toward God and His work, and one found among the powerful people of the world. After reading this Scripture, will your life follow Mary’s example, as well as remaining on alert to the dangers of being filled with empty pride?
B. Lesson Context
Two of the four New Testament Gospels tell the story of Jesus’ birth: Luke and Matthew. Whereas Matthew’s account emphasizes the story of Jesus’ birth from the perspective of Joseph (see Matthew 1:18–25; 2:13, 19), Luke’s account is from the perspective of Mary.
Luke’s narrative begins with the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary and proclaiming that she was “highly favoured” and “blessed … among women” (Luke 1:28). Though she was a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit (1:31, 35). Gabriel proclaimed that Mary’s son would be called “the Son of the Highest” and would someday rule as king (1:32; see Isaiah 9:6–7).
Though Mary questioned Gabriel’s promises (Luke 1:34), she identified herself as a servant of the Lord (1:38). She submitted to God’s will, however unexpected or seemingly unrealistic His will might have been.
After Mary received Gabriel’s message, she visited her relative Elisabeth (Luke 1:36, 39–40). During the visit, Elisabeth proclaimed that Mary and the “fruit of [her] womb” would be “blessed” (1:42). This unlikely virgin received blessing because she believed that God would fulfill the promises that He made to her (1:45).
In response to Gabriel’s promise and Elisabeth’s blessing, Mary worshipped God (Luke 1:46–55). Though not explicitly described as a song in Scripture, many students consider her worship in this text to be similar to that of a song. As such, students call her song the Magnificat, a title taken from the first line of the Latin version of the text.
Scripture includes several songs of praise from God’s people. These songs give glory to God for who He is and what He has done for them. Such songs include those from Moses (Exodus 15:1–18), Miriam (15:21), Deborah and Barak (Judges 5), Asaph (1 Chronicles 16:7–36), and Simeon (Luke 2:28–32).
The prayer of Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1–10) lifts up themes similar to Mary’s Song. Hannah’s prayer followed her request that the Lord “remember … and not forget” her by giving her a son (1:11). After she became pregnant and gave birth to Samuel (1:20), Hannah dedicated him to the Lord and prayed a word of thanksgiving to God. Hannah’s prayer rejoices in God’s power and might (2:1–4, 9–10) and in His concern for the poor and needy (2:7–8). As this lesson unfolds, Mary’s Song will echo these themes, with an extra inclusion regarding the all-encompassing aspect of God’s salvation.
I. Worshipping the Almighty
(Luke 1:46–50)
A. Virgin Rejoices (vv. 46–49)
46. And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord.
The song of Mary begins with her worship of God for His greatness. Her soul included the non-physical part of her person—the invisible part that continues even after a person’s physical death (see Matthew 10:28). Mary’s whole being praised God.
To magnify the Lord means to honor His name (see Psalm 34:3) and to give thanks for His work (69:30). Mary honored God and praised Him because of the revelation she received regarding her pregnancy (Luke 1:30–37; see Lesson Context). She likely did not yet know exactly how God would work through her child. All she had on which to base her worship were Gabriel’s promises and Elisabeth’s blessing (1:42–45). Mary knew she was a favored part of God’s plan, no matter how that plan would come to pass. As a result, she praised God.
47. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
By way of parallelism, this verse repeats the intent of the previous verse. The practice of referring to both a person’s soul and spirit was common in Hebrew writings (see Job 7:11; Isaiah 26:9). Though there are subtle differences between the two, readers should not become distracted. Every part of Mary magnified and rejoiced in the Lord God.
During the New Testament era, powerful military figures and pagan gods were proclaimed to be saviors of people. The Old Testament, however, uses the title to refer to the God of Israel. God is called Savior because of His work of deliverance (see 2 Samuel 22:3; Isaiah 43:3, 11; 45:21). Mary acknowledged that the deliverance she desired would not come from a military leader or pagan god. Instead, the one true God who had rescued the people of Israel would be her Saviour. All people can receive the Savior’s salvation when they respond according to the biblical plan of salvation.
God’s greatness evokes joy and gladness among His people. God and His plans will not fail, and so His people can depend on Him. They need not fear; they celebrate and worship Him as the one who brings salvation (see Habakkuk 3:18).
48a. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
This verse provides Mary’s reason for praising God as her Savior. She glorified her Savior, who saw her in her place of lowliness. The song portrays God as a king who looks on His lowliest subjects and still regards them with favor (see Psalm 138:6).
Mary’s low estate was because of her position in the world. She was a young, unmarried, and pregnant woman. Her hometown, Nazareth (Luke 1:26–27), was held in low regard by other Jews (John 1:46). Her ancestors had a history of living under foreign rule (see Deuteronomy 26:7; 2 Kings 14:26). By the world’s standards, Mary resided in a state of insignificance.
An attitude of humility can be found in the people whom God chooses to use. Jesus describes himself as “meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29). His followers are called to a life of humility (1 Peter 3:8; 5:5–6). God promises to lift up the humble and lowly (Luke 14:11; 18:14) and offer them grace (James 4:6). When His people live in humility, they can be attentive to His call.
As a handmaiden of the Lord (compare Luke 1:38a), Mary placed herself in obedience to Him. She pledged to follow the Lord’s commands so that His promises might be fulfilled in and through her (see 1:38b). God’s people are not servants ignored or mistreated. Instead, His people are the recipients of His favor and blessing.
What Do You Think?
What do you need to take up or give up in order to better practice humility?
Digging Deeper
What connection exists between living with humility and being attentive to God’s call?
Spontaneous Song
When my sister was a preschooler, she developed an eye infection. The infection worsened, and our parents took her to the emergency room. While in the waiting room, my sister—with one eye puffy and red—spontaneously started singing a song from her favorite movie, The Jungle Book. She repeatedly sang the same song, seemingly unconcerned about the issue that brought her to the emergency room. She sang as a child who trusted her caregivers.
As an unmarried and pregnant young woman from first-century Nazareth, Mary likely faced difficulties (see Matthew 1:19). However, an angel proclaimed her highly favored by God, and her relative called her blessed by God. As a result, Mary sang her worship to God! The holy and powerful God was working with her and through her. What song of praise will you sing when you face challenging situations in service to Him? Let Mary’s Song inform your own song of praise! —L. M. W.
48b. For, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Future generations would call Mary blessed—not because of her own efforts but because of the ways that the Lord used her. She gave birth to Jesus, the one who brings blessing to all generations. Though Mary’s proclamation came to pass (see Luke 11:27), all people can be considered blessed by God when they “hear the word of God, and keep it” (11:28).
49a. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things.
Throughout Scripture, God’s people proclaim His might as they worship Him (Deuteronomy 3:24; Joshua 4:24; Psalm 24:8; Ephesians 1:19–20; etc.). God shows His might by working great things for His people (see Deuteronomy 10:21; Judges 2:7; 1 Samuel 12:24; Job 37:5). These works involve the redeeming of His people from slavery (see Deuteronomy 11:1–7) and saving them from oppression (see Joel 2:19–21). In response, God’s people experience gladness (see Psalm 126:3) and respond with worship (see 71:19). Through His mighty power, God worked exceptionally in Mary when she gave birth to Jesus, “the Son of the Highest” (Luke 1:32).
49b. And holy is his name.
In Scripture, a person’s name sometimes refers to an attribute of that person (example: Genesis 25:24–26, 30). Mary knew that God is holy, so she proclaimed his name to be the same (compare Psalms 103:1; 111:9). God’s holiness speaks to His moral perfection (see Job 34:12; Habakkuk 1:13). Although humans commit sin, God cannot; He is at all times morally pure and upright (James 1:13). He desires that His people practice holiness as well (see Leviticus 11:44–45; Joshua 24:19; 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1; Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:15–16).
B. Generations Receive Mercy (v. 50)
50. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
Mary previously proclaimed how God did a mighty work “to me” (Luke 1:49a, above). In this verse, the song changes focus to tell of God’s mercy to them, the people who fear and follow God. The almighty God shows His love toward His people when they come to Him with humility and keep His commands (see Psalm 103:17–18). When the people live in this manner, they have knowledge of His work and His blessings (see Proverbs 3:7–8; 9:10–12).
Experiences of God’s mercy are a central theme in the first chapter of Luke’s Gospel (Luke 1:54, 58, 72, 78). When people love God and follow His commands, He promises His presence and mercy (see Exodus 20:6; Deuteronomy 4:31). God’s promises to His people endure. His promises will not fail from generation to generation of His people (see Exodus 20:4–6; Psalm 33:11; Isaiah 34:17).
What Do You Think?
How do you follow God so that His mercy will be displayed through you to future generations?
Digging Deeper
How have previous generations of believers provided an example for you in the same regard?
Faithful Generations
In an unassuming rural church, God’s people displayed their faithfulness to Him. Though this congregation was small in number of members, they desired for God to work through them to accomplish His mission for the world.
Members of the congregation became like family to each other. They gathered during holidays, celebrated key moments in their church, and shared life’s highs and lows.
Over time, younger generations of church members moved away. Some entered college, others went into ministry, and others moved overseas. Because of the faithful example of the congregation’s older generations, many from the younger generations strove to become faithful members of the universal body of Christ. No matter where the younger people lived, they feared and honored God because of the example of previous generations of believers.
Because of the faithfulness of generations of believers, God demonstrated His mercy to this small congregation. Their influence had far-reaching results on generations of believers throughout the world. How will future generations see the evidence of God’s mercy in your life? —L. M. W.
II. The Work of the Almighty (Luke 1:51–55)
A. Exalting the Lowly (vv. 51–53)
51. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
Though God is spirit (John 4:24), Scripture frequently describes His attributes in terms of human characteristics (Exodus 7:5; Leviticus 20:6; Deuteronomy 3:24; 2 Kings 19:16; Psalm 34:15; etc.). This is known as anthropomorphic language. The arm of God describes His might and control in the world (see Exodus 6:6; Deuteronomy 26:8; Psalm 89:10; Isaiah 40:10; 51:5; Jeremiah 32:21).
Previously, Mary proclaimed God’s might (Luke 1:49), but His strength would also be directed toward people who exalt themselves. In contrast to the people who “fear” God and follow His commands (1:50, above) are the proud people. Because of their pride, these people disregard God and His authority (see Deuteronomy 8:14). They rely on their own ability, power, and name to find success in the world’s eyes (example: Genesis 11:1–8).
Scripture lists pride as a sin found in people who refuse to follow God (2 Timothy 3:1–5). God “resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5; see Proverbs 3:34). He does not tolerate prideful people (Psalm 101:5), and He promises to punish them for their sin (Isaiah 13:11). Mary’s Song portrays prideful people as God’s enemies. He would strike down the proud and scatter them in defeat (see Psalm 68:1).
Not only is pride evident in a person’s actions, but it can also be found in their hearts (see Genesis 6:5; 2 Chronicles 12:14). The Greek word behind imagination can also refer to a person’s “mind” (Luke 10:27) and “understanding” (Ephesians 4:18). Prideful people express arrogance through their actions and in their hearts and minds.
What Do You Think?
How can believers avoid pride in their thoughts, words, and deeds?
Digging Deeper
Who would you recruit to serve as an accountability partner in this regard?
52. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
Mighty rulers in the world frequently show pride when they appeal to their own power and authority. However, these rulers fail to recognize the true source of their power: the God who “removeth kings, and setteth up kings” (Daniel 2:21; see Job 12:19; Isaiah 40:23). When prideful people fail to acknowledge God as the one who allows and/or provides their authority and influence, He will put them down … from their seats of power.
The same God who brings down proud and mighty rulers also shows concern toward the people whom the world would consider to be of low degree. God has exalted the humble by promising them grace (James 4:6). Mary sang this promise because she experienced these promises firsthand. Though she was lowly, God “highly favoured” and “blessed [her] … among women” (Luke 1:28). One part of God’s work in the world is to debase the proud while providing salvation to the humble (see Job 5:11; Ezekiel 21:25–27; etc.).
53. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
Scripture describes how God provided for His people in their moments of need. In the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:9), in the wilderness wanderings (Exodus 16:4), and even by providing land itself (3:8), God filled the needs of His people. Because of His mercy and salvation, the hungry will have sustenance (1 Samuel 2:5; Psalm 107:9).
People still experience hunger and poverty today (compare Matthew 26:11). Mary’s Song looks forward to the day when those who hunger will be filled and will hunger no more (see 1 Samuel 2:8; Luke 6:21; Revelation 7:16).
The song serves as a warning. When the rich and powerful refuse to care for others (see Luke 16:19–31) and instead focus on their accumulation of wealth (12:13–21), they are sent empty away. God’s kingdom does not make room for such selfish and prideful people (see Matthew 25:31–46).
What Do You Think?
How would you answer someone who says that Luke 1:53 argues that God does not want people to be rich?
Digging Deeper
How do Proverbs 22:2; Luke 6:24; 16:8–14; 1 Timothy 6:9–10, 17–19; and James 5:1–6 inform your answer?
B. Remembering His Servant
(vv. 54–55)
54. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy. Throughout the Old Testament, Israel was identified as the servant of the Lord (Psalm 136:22; Isaiah 41:8–9; 44:21). As such, the people of Israel had a special role in God’s plan of salvation: they would be “a light to the Gentiles” (49:6). Out of them the light of God’s salvation would shine for the world (see Luke 2:32; John 1:9).
Mary was confident that the prophetic implications of her song would be fulfilled because of God’s history of remembering His promises (see Exodus 2:24; 1 Chronicles 16:15; Psalm 105:42; Micah 7:20). God’s plan was not to forget Abraham’s descendants. Instead, His plan was to reveal the way of salvation through them.
Mary’s Song reflects the heart of the psalmist: God “hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God” (Psalm 98:3). God showed help toward (he hath holpen) His people in the advent of Christ Jesus. Though the people had disregarded God and His commands, God still showed them mercy. He provided a way for their salvation as well as for the salvation of the world.
55. As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. Mary’s Song makes an appeal to the patriarchs, the fathers, of Israel. The promises that God spake … to Abraham would be fulfilled by way of Mary’s child. God promised Abraham that his family would be a blessing to all the earth (Genesis 12:1–3). Through Mary’s child and Abraham’s descendant, the promise of blessing had arrived (see Galatians 3:16–19, 29). This was not a new work of salvation by God, but a continuation of the promise that He had made (see Genesis 22:18).
The mention of Abraham introduces a common theme in Luke’s Gospel and the book of Acts. Both texts connect God’s promises to Abraham with the expansion of the people of God to include both Jew and Gentile. Not all people who claimed to be descendants to Abraham would receive God’s blessing (see Luke 3:8–9; 13:28; 16:19–30; Acts 3:25). Instead, as the apostle Paul would write, faith in Jesus as the Savior would define God’s people (Romans 4:16–17; 9:7–8; Galatians 3:7).
The song’s conclusion invites its audience to imagine the scope of God’s work of salvation and the resulting blessing. Though Mary was considered lowly in the world’s regard, God would use her to give birth to the Christ, the actual seed through whom salvation came. Mary recognized her blessedness in this regard. She envisioned the fulfillment of God’s salvation. This would be a world where the downtrodden would be lifted up and where God’s mercy would extend to generations of people.
What Do You Think?
How is Mary’s Song different from and similar to popular contemporary praise and worship songs?
Digging Deeper
Would Mary’s Song be appropriate for congregational worship?
Conclusion
A. Self-Exaltation or Salvation?
On special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays, we may take a moment to consider our blessings and achievements. However, this practice runs the risk of becoming an opportunity for self-exaltation; we might make God’s gifts sound like something we achieved by our own strength and power.
Today’s Scripture reminds us of the futility of self-exaltation. God will choose whom He wants to work through, regardless of the world’s perception of that person. Further, today’s Scripture also warns of what can happen when people are driven by pride and selfish desires. God will inevitably humble people who exalt themselves. If we seek salvation through our power, wealth, or acclaim, God will remove us from those positions.
Self-exaltation will not lead to salvation. In fact, it will lead a person to emptiness and an existence without God’s salvation. We have a choice.
B. Prayer
Mighty God, just as You worked in Your people throughout history, we ask that You do a mighty work in us. Show us how we might better proclaim Your salvation. Fill us with humility so that we can be attentive to You. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
C. Thought to Remember
God’s salvation lifts the lowest to the highest.
Standard Publishing. KJV Standard Lesson Commentary® 2022-2023 (pp. 401-418). David C Cook. Kindle Edition.
