Luke 1:38 And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it done to me according to thy word. . Used by permission. * [1:6879] Like the canticle of Mary (Lk 1:4655) the canticle of Zechariah is only loosely connected with its context. These were the themes of the Old Testament prophets. What is your spiritual relationship to God? Nevertheless she assumes throughout that He has indeed been promised her. 43 Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? Too often, I fear, we find ourselves performing before others, using our praise to speak to men, to convey some message to them, rather than to God. 8-9). BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. While this is certainly true, Mary chose to focus on what the child would be and accomplish as an adult, and not what her child would be as a child. She is a woman who had a good grasp of what God was doing in history and in society. While we are not specifically told that Mary was filled with the Holy Spirit when she spoke these words, we may surely assume so. In the course of Zacharias priestly duties, it fell his lot to have the high privilege of offering the incense at the temple of the Lord (vv. get to know the Bible better! She views herself as a sinner who needs Gods salvation, and as a the Lords servant, whose humble estate is the occasion for His mercy and grace. Some may question how a simple peasant-girl may have such a grasp of the Old Testament. May it be done to me according to your word. Then the angel departed from her. In all of these cases we must remember that Luke purposefully chose, under the guidance and control of the Holy Spirit, either to include or to exclude various details. While me cannot say that every miraculous life began with a miraculous birth, I think it is safe to say that every miraculous birth resulted in a miraculous life and ministry. When Gabriel announced the miraculous virgin birth of Messiah through Mary to this young16 peasant girl, he informed her of Elizabeths pregnancy, indicating that this was a sign of Gods ability to achieve the impossible (Luke 1:36-37). In the Jewish world of Luke's days, there was much that women couldn't do or weren't allowed to do. But he could only make signs to them and remained dumb. Let us bear in mind, however, that Luke has not told us this was the case. 39 Mary set out at that time and went as quickly as she could into the hill country to a town in Judah. Nevertheless, girls were married young in those days, and it is thus likely true that Mary was quite young. 7 But they were childless: Elizabeth was barren and they were both advanced in years. 23 When his time of service came to an end he returned home. 41And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42and she exclaimed with a loud cry, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! Basketweave Black/Burgandy Bonded Leather, The Official Catholic Scripture Study International Bible, Largeprint, Bonded Leather, Black - Slightly Imperfect, RSV Ignatius Catholic Study Bible New Testament 2nd Edition. 3I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, * [1:20] You will be speechless and unable to talk: Zechariahs becoming mute is the sign given in response to his question in v. 18. (2) Marys praise begins with her grateful response to the grace God has shown to her, a humble servant of the Lord. Thus there is a kind of criss-crossing effect in the praise of both women, for each expresses ones personal praise, but edifies the other. (1) Marys psalm of praise reveals a repeated use of the terminology and theology of the Old Testament. How shallow our prayers and praise seem when compared with that of these two godly women. The immediate faith and submission of Mary, a simple and very young peasant girl, to the will of God is contrasted with the hesitant request of Zachariah for a sign, a man who was a priest all his many years of life. Simeons words in chapter 2 (v. 35) allude to this pain, but do not explain what its cause will be. Start your free trial today! Yet the worship of both of these women is such that they are models for all true disciples of our Lord. * [1:13] Do not be afraid: a stereotyped Old Testament phrase spoken to reassure the recipient of a heavenly vision (Gn 15:1; Jos 1:9; Dn 10:12, 19 and elsewhere in Lk 1:30; 2:10). Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! Elizabeth was the wife of an obscure priest. Just as Marys response surpasses that of Zachariah, so the greatness of the miracle of the virgin birth of Messiah will exceed the miracle which produces a son for the elderly priest and his wife. [1:48] 11:27; 1Sm 1:11; 2Sm 16:12; 2Kgs 14:26; Ps 113:7. z. 4so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received. 62So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. 66All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, What, then, will this child be? For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. Start for FREE. p. [1:33] Dn 2:44; 7:14; Mi 4:7; Mt 28:18. t. [1:42] 11:2728; Jgs 5:24; Jdt 13:18; Dt 28:4. y. (B) 42In a loud voice she exclaimed: Blessed are you among women,(C) and blessed is the child you will bear! * With these things already known (albeit by the Holy Spirits illumination of the Scriptures), the Spirit of God informed Elizabeth, perhaps at that very moment, that Mary was the one through whom Messiah would be born. She may have been rehearsing what she would say to Elizabeth when she first saw her. New International Version (NIV). In His ministry the Lord Jesus would expand on he social themes of Marys Magnificat: And turning His gaze on His disciples, He began to say, Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. The Bible requires that men live a life which is miraculous, a life that is humanly impossible (cf. Several observations concerning Elizabeths response to the arrival of Mary will help us to grasp the magnificence of this woman, as I believe Luke intended us to do. 32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. While this may not refer only to the saving work which Messiah will come to accomplish, surely it includes it. 2:11-21). 39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 63 The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, 'His name is John.' 67Then Zechariah his father, filled with the holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: 68* Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and brought redemption to his people.k, 69* He has raised up a horn for our salvation. 56 Mary stayed with her some three months and then went home. * [1:76] You will go before the Lord: here the Lord is most likely a reference to Jesus (contrast Lk 1:1517 where Yahweh is meant) and John is presented as the precursor of Jesus. 70even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old: 71salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,m, 73and of the oath he swore to Abraham our father,p. We but need to believe and to accept Gods work, but we must leave the working to Him, and not to ourselves. John is great in the sight of the Lord (Lk 1:15); Jesus will be Great (a LXX attribute, used absolutely, of God) (Lk 1:32). Mary may have wondered how Elizabeth would respond to the news she had to share. If It Is During The Millennium How Will There Not Be Pain And Tears When The Devil Is Released To Deceive The Nations? If Catholic Online has given you $5.00 worth of knowledge this year, take a minute to donate. The first to speak, Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cries out in a loud voice and utters words which we could only consider prophetic: "Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb" (Lk 1 : 42). She viewed history in the light of this plan. For less than $5/mo. 9according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense.e This is the episode enshrined in western art and iconography as "the visitation," when Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth, and is the occasion for Mary delivering the speech that has come to be known as "the Magnificat.". Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, . 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. Because of this, the practices of our church stand out, and are considered very offensive to many women, and some men. 3 I in my turn, after carefully going over the whole story from the beginning, have decided to write an ordered account for you, Theophilus. 56Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. Mary understood that the good news of Messiahs coming would result in great social reversals. It seems to me that this is a very significant fact. Second, the praise of Elizabeth and Mary provide us with a model for our own worship and praise. She must have been very devastated upon seeing Jesus died but she understood the truth. Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More, Getting Spiritually Fit 1 ( Corinthians 9:24-27), Steps to Biblical Reconciliation (Luke 17:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:15-21). If Luke was writing to Gentiles, the name of this village would not have had any meaning, and thus was omitted as non-essential to his purpose. (6) Marys praise does not focus on the child she will bear, but on Father who is sending His Messiah. 24-25). 2just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us,b We are studying Luke 1:39-56 for Sunday, December 22. 3 He said to them, 'Take nothing for the journey: neither staff, nor haversack, nor bread, nor money; and do not have a spare tunic. 79to shine on those who sit in darkness and deaths shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace., 80The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.u. The scribes and Pharisees, however, seemed only to grasp a few of the particulars, but missed the plan. When one thinks of the women of the ancient world, our first emotional response is usually pity. but has lifted up the humble. The scribes and Pharisees seemed as though they could only think and talk in terms of the Law of Moses. The account presents parallel scenes (diptychs) of angelic announcements of the birth of John the Baptist and of Jesus, and of the birth, circumcision, and presentation of John and Jesus. 64Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.j 8Once when he was serving as priest in his divisions turn before God, * [1:32] Son of the Most High: cf. Chapter 23 . Revelation 21 Seems To Be After The Millennium Where It Says There Will Be No Pain Or Tears. 10Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, The very moment she entered the house and gave a customary greeting, Elizabeth blessed Mary as the mother of her Lord. 'No,' she said, 'he is to be called John. Thus, Elizabeths praise served as further confirmation of Gabriels words. The Wonder Of Christmas. (4) Elizabeths words served primarily as an encouragement to Mary. The Nutcracker - Four Realms / Four Reminders. Mary is a model disciple. There were now two witnesses. This is evident in the blessing pronounced by Elizabeth, which subtly contrasts the belief of Mary with the unbelief of Zacharias: And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord (Luke 1:45). ', 61 They said to her, 'But no one in your family has that name,'. Geldenhuys responds, In discussing this hymn of praise, some critics have asked whether Mary had her Old Testament open before her when she uttered the song. 3 Then Satan entered into Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve. Granted, the worship of these two women is not public, but private. She would, by the miraculous action of the Holy Spirit, become pregnant, and her holy child would be called the Son of God (v. 35). That which she speaks far surpasses what we are told Gabriel said to Zacharias. This is clearly seen to be in blatant disregard for the teaching of our text. The gospel in Luke 1:39-56 is the manifestation of the feast of the assumption. There is a also distinct parallel with the praise of Hannah in 1 Samuel chapter 2. 16 and he will bring back many of the Israelites to the Lord their God. Indeed, I believe that Luke is telling us that wives are not restricted to the level of spirituality of their mate. Do Those Who Commit Suicide Go To Hell? * [1:5] In the days of Herod, King of Judea: Luke relates the story of salvation history to events in contemporary world history. No doubt in the minds of some they were being punished by God for some sin. She did not have any social standing due to her parentage or class, nor even the dignity of Elizabeth and Zacharias age. In contrast to the psalm of Jonah in Jonah chapter 2, which we have recently considered,18 the psalm of Mary is a magnificent masterpiece. While bearing the Messiah was a distinct privilege for Mary, that for which she is most highly praised is her faith and her obedience. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. First, our text has much to teach us on the subject of women, their spirituality, and their worship. Q. These include the following: Whether or not Mary was yet pregnant. 60but his mother said in reply, No. To press the matter further, I doubt that Mary understood that the redemptive purpose of Christs first coming would be accomplished by His death on a cross, death at the hands of wicked men. While Christs coming meant more than saving men from their sins, this was the beginning, the prerequisite for all that He would accomplish. And they were all astonished. Our praise during this Christmas season should especially be patterned after that of Mary, who did not focus on the tiny baby that she would soon hold in her arms, but in the God who sent Messiah and in the goal of His coming earth. In His second coming, Messiah will come to set things straight, to bring justice to the earth and judgment to the wicked. We can see that the verbs in these verses are past perfect. The naming of the child John and Zechariahs recovery from his loss of speech should be understood as fulfilling the angels announcement to Zechariah in Lk 1:13, 20. This would even be true in the Jewish world of those days when our Lord added humanity to His deity and manifested Himself to men. The form of the proper noun is the same as that in "Bethlehem, of the land of Juda," in Matthew 2:6.The city may have been one of those assigned to the priests within the limits of the tribe of Judah, and if so, it is interesting to think of the Virgin as undertaking a journey which . 49The Mighty One has done great things for me, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.b, 52He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones. Mary seems immediately to respond to the praise of Elizabeth by offering her own praise to God. One cannot read the Magnificat of Mary without realizing that she has drawn deeply from the terminology and the theology of the Old Testament. An aged priest has less faith than a young peasant girl, and thus Elizabeths blessing of Mary for her faith in Gods promise contains a mild rebuke for her doubting husband, who did not believe Gabriels words. Mary and Elizabeths praise of God went much further than just gratitude for the gift of a child. We would expect Mary to be taken with the fact that she will have a baby, and that this baby will be the Son of God. 76 And you, little child, you shall be called Prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare a way for him. (8) Marys theology, as reflected in her Magnificat is vastly superior to that of the scribes and Pharisees, who would become the arch enemies of our Lord. 6 Both were upright in the sight of God and impeccably carried out all the commandments and observances of the Lord. She looks at the long range, not the short term. Mary was steeped in the poetical literature of her nation, and accordingly her hymn also bears the unmistakable signs of it.19. We will begin by focusing on Elizabeth, as Luke does, and on her response to the arrival of Mary, the mother-to-be of Messiah. The Birth of John. * [1:69] A horn for our salvation: the horn is a common Old Testament figure for strength (Ps 18:3; 75:56; 89:18; 112:9; 148:14). * [1:43] Even before his birth, Jesus is identified in Luke as the Lord. The angel had not commanded Mary to go to the house of Elizabeth, but had only stated that Elizabeth was pregnant in her old age, which showed that nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:36-37). Mary grasped the camels and the religious leaders only grasped at the gnats.. Zacharias faith wavered, and he consequently asked for some sign, some proof that the promise of the angel would be fulfilled. Salvation does not result from our efforts, which God miraculously blesses. Nevertheless, others have reacted to this error by failing to see this woman as a model disciple. Gabriel had informed Zacharias that the child would be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mothers womb (Luke 1:15). 78 because of the faithful love of our God in which the rising Sun has come from on high to visit us. 6Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. We have here an interview between the two happy mothers, Elisabeth and Mary: the angel, by intimating to Mary the favour bestowed on her cousin Elisabeth ( Luke 1:36 ), gave occasion for it; and sometimes it may prove a better piece of service that we think to bring good people together, to compare notes. (H)From now on all generations will call me blessed,(I)49for the Mighty One has done great things(J) for meholy is his name. 33and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.p Romans chapter 7). 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. Get the app {{#signedIn}} . Throughout the Old Testament, the miraculous ministries of Gods chosen instruments often began by a miraculous or unusual birth. All rights reserved worldwide. Marys role as believer in the infancy narrative should be seen in connection with the explicit mention of her presence among those who believed after the resurrection at the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1:14). (3) Elizabeths praise is not for her personal fulfillment and blessing in the bearing of a child, but in the blessing bestowed on her by the visit of Mary. The poor will be helped, but the rich will be sent away (v. 53). 45Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!, My soul glorifies the Lord(F)47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,(G)48for he has been mindfulof the humble state of his servant. At the beginning of his two-volume work Luke shows those who play crucial roles in the inauguration of Christianity to be wholly a part of the people of Israel. 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God, observing all the commandments and observances of the women of the ancient world, our.. May realize the certainty of the Old Testament prophets have wondered how would! To your word extends to those who fear him, and their worship in the. Son of the terminology and theology of the assumption 'he is to be.! # signedIn } } wondered how Elizabeth would respond to the praise of Hannah 1. 'But no one in your family has that name, ' said to her, no! Girls were married young in those days and traveled to the level of of... Yet the worship of these two women is such that they are models for all true of! Not have any social standing due to her home is sending his Messiah family has name! Question how a simple peasant-girl may have been very devastated upon seeing Jesus died but understood. The miraculous ministries of Gods chosen instruments often began by a miraculous or birth. The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, 'His name is John. Lord: it. 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