Mary, Did Your Know?
“My spirit rejoices in God my Savior." Luke 1:46 (NIV)
In our last Bible Bits we traced three of the "good news, great joy" events found in Luke chapter 1: the two angelic birth announcements of John the Baptist and Jesus and the joyous encounter of the babies while in their mothers' wombs. Today our "good news, great joy' focus is on Mary's joy found in Luke 1: 46-55.
One of my favorite contemporary Christian Christmas songs is Mark Lowery’s beautifully written “Mary did you know?” In one stanza, Lowery asks Mary a haunting question: “Mary did you know that the child that you delivered would soon deliver you?” It's a question well worth considering. How much DID Mary know about what was happening to her? After all, she was an unwed teenage virgin who has just been told she would bear the Son of God. Mary could have focused on all of the social fallout associated with an unplanned teenage pregnancy: the not-so-hushed whispers, judgmental glances, and cultural shuns. The Jews in Mary's day were still living under the Mosaic law which mandated death by stoning as the appropriate punishment for adultery. Mary's betrothal to Joseph was different than our current cultural engagements. In first century Jewish culture, there were four stages involved in a marriage covenant: commitment, consent, ceremony, and consummation. Mary and Joseph had fulfilled two of those four stages: commitment and consent. Any breaking of the betrothal would necessitate a divorce, not just a return of an engagement ring.
Mary's first thoughts after her initial "How can this be since I am a virgin?" (Luke 1:34) could have been "What about Joseph? How will I tell him? What will he think?" or perhaps "How will I explain this to my family?" or how about "What about all of my own plans, hopes or dreams?" Most biblical scholars estimate Mary's age to be around 15 years old at this point. All of these questions (and many more) would have certainly been valid. Yet Mary's first words after hearing her cousin Elizabeth's words, "Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" (Luke 1:45), were those of joyous worship:
“My soul glorifies the Lord 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 merciful55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
Mary's focus is not on her son, but on her Savior. With eyes of faith and taking God at His word, Mary looks up and sees Who God is and What He has done. Mary sees:
God’s glory
God’s might, mercy, sovereignty, & provision
Salvation & deliverance
Her own blessing
Fulfillment of the Covenant- a promise made and kept
After reading Luke’s account, we can answer unequivocally, “Yes! Mary knew and once she knew, she worshipped." She may not have known that her Son would one day walk on water, heal the blind, or raise the dead, but Mary absolutely knew that her Son would indeed be her Savior. The child that she delivers will one day deliver not just Mary, but all who put their faith and trust in Christ.
So what about us? Are our eyes up? Are they focused on our Savior or are they focused on ourselves, our circumstances, or our social media?
"This is the season of the year when, whether we wish it or not, we are compelled to think of the birth of Christ." (Charles Spurgeon at the start of his sermon on December 23, 1855)
Mary's joy can be ours this Christmas season as we consider Who God is, What He has done, and take God at His Word.
"Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" (Luke 1:45)
Good news, great joy! Eyes UP!