Text: Luke 1:46-55
Title: “The Praise of Mary”

Introduction: In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, with John the Baptist, the angel appears to Mary. She is told she will bring forth a Son, born of the Holy Spirit, and shall call His name Jesus. Mary yields to the will of God for her life, though she must have known the reproach and shame that would follow. Joseph soon discovers her condition, and while he mediates on the right thing to do, Mary leaves to go see her cousin Elizabeth in the hill country. As Mary enters her cousin's house, and they are exchanging greetings, Elizabeth's child leaps in her womb and she is filled with the Holy Spirit! Then Elizabeth's testimony that confirms all that Mary had heard the angel say, dispelling any doubt that she might have had. The effect of Elizabeth's pronounce­ment is immediate! Mary now begins to pour out the inner most thoughts of her soul (as we see by the first sentence).

What Mary Said About Herself

v46   1. My soul magnifies (enlarges) the Lord
            a. Our inner personality
            b. The response of a Christian whether in joy or sorrow

v47   2. My spirit rejoices in God
            a. Our inner spirit renewed by the Holy Spirit
            b. The response of a Christian whether in joy or sorrow
            c. God is Saviour and Jesus is Saviour, for Jesus is God

v48   3. Low estate regarded by God
            a. Though royally descended, she only occupied a humble position
            b. It was regarded because she was His handmaiden (v38)
         4. Because of her obedience to God all generations shall call her blessed

v49   5. Great things done TO her!
            a. A useable vessel (2 Tim 2:21)

 What Mary Said About God

 v49   1. Holy is His name
Ps 99:9 “Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy."
             a. A God that cannot allow sin in His presence! 

v50   2. His mercy comes because of the fear of God
             a. Fear (respect) should be passed down through the generations
             b. Mercy is only extended to the guilty!
Ps 103:17 “But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children's children!” 

v51   3. His arm is strong
             a. The "arm" of God is used throughout Scripture to picture His strength and reach (Ps 139:7-10)
             b. And it does not matter where the unrighteous might hide; behind liquor, under dope, among money, beneath lies, in "religion,” or wherever, they will not escape God!
        4. The proud are already scattered
a. Because the Devil and his crowd do not know they are de­feated does not change the picture!

What Mary Said That God Would Do

 Note: Here Mary speaks of the future as if it had already happen, and we know it will! Look at the contrasts.

v52   5. The mighty are put down
            a. From THEIR seats
            b. Men think they are in charge, but they do not even know their own slippery situation!
        6. The lowly are exalted
            a. Though the Jew has been in bondage for centuries, he shall be released (1 Cor 1:26-29)

v53   7. The hungry are filled
            a. With good things
                1) The good things (spiritual things) of God
         8. The rich are sent away empty
Matt 19:24 “And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." 

Note: In Matt 5 we see the same sermon preached by her unborn Son. 

v54   9. He has succored (nursed, provided for) Israel
            a. Not because they desire it
               1) But by His mercy  
               2) By His promise
                   a) To the fathers
                        (1) Isaac, Jacob
                  b) To Abraham
                  c) To his seed
Gal 1:16 “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made...." 

Conclusion: Mary's new found position as the Mother of Christ has become public.  And though her circumstances are ordained of God, she still must face those that know not God's plan for her. Even in this time of soul searching and trial her thoughts are stayed on God. This is a good lesson for each of us, to become more like Mary, in this passage, thereby becoming more like Christ, in this life.