TODAY IN THE WORD
Probably every mother has a story of how she realized that she was going to have a child. Rebecca knew when she felt dizzy at the park; Lillian knew when the nausea hit; Stacy knew when the social worker called with the news that the birth mother had selected her to adopt her daughter. But imagine if an angel told you that you would miraculously conceive, your baby would be the long-awaited Davidic king, and your cousin affirmed this revelation through blessing (Luke 1:26-45)! This was Mary’s experience, and today’s reading is her response to the remarkable news.

The famous title of Mary’s Song, Magnificat, originates from the first word of the Latin version of this passage: magnify. “My soul magnifies the Lord!” Mary sings. Her response is praise, and the remainder of her song explains why (vv. 47-55).

Notice throughout Mary’s song, the primary actor is God. For who He is and what He does, the Lord is worthy of praise. Mary rehearses God’s mercy to her personally (vv. 48-49). She highlights the contrast: the Mighty One, holy and exalted, is mindful of one inconsequential young woman. God’s activity reverses her situation; Mary goes from humble servant to blessed forever by all generations.

Verse 50 connects the two sections of her song, and then Mary shifts to proclaim God’s mercy to Abraham’s descendants (vv. 51-55). “Mighty deeds” and “outstretched arm” echo back to God’s rescue of His people out of Egypt. Mary recognizes God as deliverer, and she knows the news of her baby is news of God’s deliverance. God’s redemption turns things upside down. Notice what happens to the proud, the rulers, and the rich compared to the humble and the hungry (vv. 51-53). The end of Mary’s song ties Gabriel’s announcement to God’s ancient covenant with Abraham and his descendants. God will be faithful to His promises; He will be merciful (vv. 54-55). Mary understands that the birth of her baby Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises of redemption. Jesus is the new king we read about yesterday.

---

TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The structure of verses 52 and 53 draws our attention to them. God’s action toward the rulers and rich is mentioned first and last, with His mercy toward the humble and hungry announced in the middle. In Jesus, God is transforming people and social structures that exalt self-absorption and wealth to the exclusion and at the expense of the poor. God humbles the proud to reveal their need of Him and to soften their hearts toward others. Allow God to humble you so that He can then fill you with good things.

< Previous Day

Next Day >