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Revolution (Luke 1:39-55)
Dave Sunman, 3 December 2017
Part of the Advent 2017 series, Sunday Morning service
The story of Mary becoming pregnant and giving birth to Jesus is one of the best known stories in Christianity. Within the story, Mary sings a song, often used in the worship of more traditional denominations, and known as the Magnificat. This song seems to be a call for revolution, bringing down the powers that be and replacing them with ordinary people. It is a remark-able and dangerous song for a poor young girl from Nazareth to sing. The thoughts within it would be dangerous to sing anywhere in the world today. What was Mary trying to communicate through her song and dare we sing it too?
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « Remember & Renew the Covenant | Collecting Community | Everyone is Singing! » |
Luke 1:39–55 (Listen)
39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
(ESV)