Luke 1:46–55

Bible Studies for Life
Chair and Armstrong Professor of Religion, Department of Religion, Samford University

Joy to the World
Luke 1:46–55
A few years ago, a young Anglican curate began his children’s sermon on one of the Sundays of Advent by asking the children, “Can anyone tell me what is the special name for this Sunday?” Quick as a flash, one little boy put up his hand and shouted out, “Adventure Sunday!” That’s what Advent is all about — God’s adventure of breaking into human history and making it “His story” of man’s salvation from sin.

The stories that Luke tells us about the coming of Christ at Christmas don’t focus attention directly upon Him but are about the people whose lives He changed in remarkable ways — people like Joseph and Mary, the mother of our Lord, ordinary people.

Mary is one of the most remarkable of these people. She was just a teenager brought up in a devout Jewish home who discovered in the midst of all the troubles and trials of daily life the joy that Christ brings into the lives of those who discover His love for them.

Joy in Acknowledging Who God Is (46–50)
Mary responded to God’s work in her life by singing a song of praise and prayer. She began by reflecting on the characteristics of God as Savior, the Mighty One who is powerful, holy and merciful toward those who “fear Him.” Mary combined so many different aspects of who God is, never suggesting that any one of His attributes somehow negates the others as if love and justice, holiness and mercy are opposed to each other. No. His love is a holy love, and mercy is exercised in perfect righteousness. This is what makes God so glorious and wonderful, one to be loved and adored in our worship.

Joy in How God Works (51–53)
Mary reflected on the strange ways that God works — counter to the expectations of the world. The proud and the powerful are ignored, and the lowly, the humble, the poor and the hungry are favored, filled with good things and lifted up to positions of importance in God’s Kingdom.

Many religious people in the world today have the impression that God prefers to help those who help themselves. Such a view of religion, which is far too prevalent, fails to understand the most basic message of Christmas and the cross of Calvary that without the Incarnation and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Calvary, there is no hope of being forgiven or eternal life. It is only because Jesus has made “purification for sins” that we can know peace with God and the hope of everlasting life. When we come to the absolute end of ourselves, the work of God’s grace comes in.

Joy in the Reliability of God (54–55)
Mary rejoiced in the fact that God would be faithful to all His promises. These promises resounded throughout the Old Testament and came to their ultimate fulfillment in the birth of the Messiah, her Son, the Lord Jesus.

In Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan told the story of Christian and Faithful, who found themselves locked up in Doubting Castle under the captivity of Giant Despair and his wife, Mrs. Gloom. They were discouraged as they looked around until Christian suddenly remembered that he had a key in his pocket that could unlock any of the doors. The key was called promise.

For Mary, the promises of God were the foundation of her faith and confidence, her source of encouragement in the midst of difficulties. Her experience of God’s mercy, her confidence in His grace would sustain her in the days that lay ahead. When later theologians were looking for a word to describe Mary, they came up with “Theotokos” — God bearer (Mother of God) — a word that sought to emphasize the reality of the humanness of Jesus who was God incarnate.

Mary became the one through whom God came into the world, who bore the Son of God in her womb, who experienced the pain and worry of childbirth, who said, “Let it be to me according to your word.” No wonder Mary rejoiced in God. Not only would she discover, in the birth, life and death of her Son, her own salvation but she also would be forever remembered as one who willingly offered her life in the service of God.