Week 1, Day 2

Today’s Reading:  Luke 3-4

Some Thoughts From Yesterday’s Reading…

As you probably noticed, the reading from yesterday was quite lengthy.  There was a  lot of good things in there, and that makes it a bit difficult to decide on a particular section to write about this morning.

One thing that stood out to me was the “Song of Mary” (Chapter 1:46-55).  In this section, Mary praises God for all that He has done, and all that He was going to do.  She realized just how blessed she was, and it seems the importance of her position.  Verse 48 says:

For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

Mary knew that what was about to happen to her was something special.  She was a virgin, yet she was going to have a child.  Earlier, she had been told that this Child would be called the “Son of God,” and that He would be conceived by the Holy Spirit.  I cannot imagine the feelings that must have been welling up inside of Mary during this time!  Imagine how she must have been terrified on one hand, having to deal with something that no one else would ever have to deal with.  On the other hand, she must have been full of joy.  I beleive it is her joy that is evident in the song of praise that is expressed in this chapter.  Mary addresses some of the characteristics of God in this song of praise as well.

Mighty. Mary calls God “the Mighty One”, and then goes on to speak of the mighty deeds that God had done.  He had done “great things” for Mary, which probably included far more than just allowing her to be t he mother of the Messiah, though that was certainly the greatest act that she had seen thus far.  She went on to speak about how He had done mighty things with His arm, scattering those who were proud, and bringing down rulers, and exhalting those who were humble.  God was in control, and He could do whatever He wanted to do!  There is great comfort in coming to the understanding that God is indeed in control!

Merciful. God is merciful to those who are obedient to Him.  Mary quotes from Psalm 103:17 in verse 50 of chapter 1.  God’s mercy is ever present.  It was especially present in the Child that was about to be born unto her.  The bringing of the Messiah was a sign of the mercy that God had, and was showing to Israel.  He had not forgotten His people, and was coming to them, remembering the promises He had made going back to at least the time of Abraham:

He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.”
–Luke 1:54-55

Mary was chosen to be the mother of the son of God because she had all the characteristics that were necessary for that difficult task.  She exhibits these characteristics in this short song.  She is certainly a great example to us, in that she put her full confidence and trust in God.  Her praise rings out as a statement of her faith, even when she had to be unsure of what the future held for her in a lot of ways.

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