Saturday, March 25, 2017

The Magnificat 531-1 - 1 - 4

Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel, God’s messenger. Luke 1:31, “And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.” It took a little convincing by Gabriel as Mary was a virgin, however, Luke 1:38, “And Mary said, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” 
God in Genesis foretold the virgin birth 3:15, “and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Mary was of the house of David through Nathan, the son of King David thus circumventing the blood curse of Jeconiah.
Gabriel also told Mary her cousin Elizabeth was pregnant, miraculous as Elizabeth was barren and “well stricken in years.” Mary visited Elizabeth and Luke 1:44, “For behold, when the voice of thy salutation came into mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.” 
Mary's Song of Praise, often called The Magnificat
Luke 1:46-47, “46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour (G4990).”
Saviour, G4990, a deliverer, that is, God or Christ. Mary made no claim of being a co-creator. Most meaningful to me as, like Mary, I'm humbly in need of a deliverer.
Luke 1:48, “For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.”
Mary would be called blessed not that she would bestow blessings. 
Luke 1:49-50, “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.”
Mary is in a passive role but recognized fear of God is rewarded with mercy.
Luke 1:51-53, “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.”
Romans 2:11, “For there is no respect of persons with God.”
Luke 1:54-55, “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 forever.”
Mary speaks with gratitude for the eternal faithfulness God has for His chosen people.
In 2 John refers to the “elect lady and her children.” Mary, the elect lady, who John is warning to be on guard against those who will come in her name with false teachings to lead her children, the Church, astray. 

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