Dec 15, 2013 ... From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One ... 51 He
has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered ...
Mary’s Song – “A Song of Transformation” (Luke 1:46-55) 3rd in a series entitled: Songs of Christmas December 15th, 2013
Barclay calls this a “social revolution.” This moral revolution of God transforms us to see others as God sees them. 3. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands.
Something to think about: Barclay calls this an “economic revolution.” As we talk about transformation today, we come today to Mary’s Song, or what in Latin is known as “The Magnificat.” This comes just after Elizabeth’s song of blessing that we discussed last week. Immediately following Elizabeth’s song… Luke 1:46-55 (NIV) 46
And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."
Now, William Barclay mentions that within Mary’s song, there are three distinct “revolutions of God”, or what some would consider transformations of God. In order to understand Mary’s song of transformation better, let’s look at what these are. Mary says that… 1. He scatters the proud and haughty ones. Barclay calls this a “moral revolution.” Mary proclaimed that the precious gift of God now residing in her womb is the God who humbles the proud and haughty; He is the Mighty One who helps us to see ourselves as we really are. 2. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble.
The economic revolution that occurs here is spurred by giving that is motivated by a heart that has been transformed by God. And this type of giving isn’t a drudgery, but rather becomes a natural outflow of one who has been changed by the power of the Almighty God. Something to take home: In Mary’s song there is tremendous beauty and poetry, but there is also a revolution of the heart, mind, and soul of persons who have accepted Christ into their lives. From this revolution of the soul comes a revolution of the world within which each of us lives. Have you allowed God to transform you into a person who is not only had a revolution of the heart, but who is also revolutionizing the world in which you live? Like Mary, do you consider yourself blessed because God has also chosen you to play a part in the great story of salvation? You see, I believe that nothing makes us more ineffective than sitting on the sidelines of life watching the world pass us by, when we’ve been called by God to be active participants within His grand story. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NIV) 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
