The Lord Is with You
Adult 1 Sunday School Class Luke 1:39-56 December 22, 2019
Theme: People often wonder if they truly deserve the praise that others give them. How can we be gracious about the honors we received? When Elisabeth called her blessed, Mary humbly praised God, confessing that all that had happened to her was in fulfillment of God’s great plan of redemption.
Please interpret the meaning of the following verses.
The interpretation of the verses is in bold print which follows the original verse in regular print.
* Luke 1:39 “And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah.”
The preceding verses (1-38) describe the revelation of God’s plan for the introduction of the Messiah into the world, first with the angel appearing to Zacharias to inform him that his barren wife would have a child. That child, would be John the Baptist, would foretell the coming of the Messiah. Zacharias’ wife is six months pregnant with John, when Mary his wife’s cousin, comes to visit. Mary’s visit was prompted by the angel who had told her how she would become the ”Mother of Jesus” and that Elisabeth too was pregnant.
*v.40 and 41. “And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41. And it came to pass, that when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:”
These two verses describe a miraculous event as God’s initial step unfolds for the salvation of the world. Mary will reside with Elisabeth for three months and leaves just before John’s birth.
*v.42. “And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.”
Elisabeth speaks out with great joy as the Holy Spirit reveals her and Mary’s part in these divine series of events. The “fruit of the womb” refers to the child, Jesus, that Mary is carrying. It establishes His humanity and the Holy Spirit the divinity of the Messiah, Jesus.
*v. 43. “And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
When Elisabeth, through the Holy Spirit, recognizes that Mary is the chosen one, she is humbled, and not jealous. She rejoices that Mary has honored her by her visit.
*v.44. “For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.”
The voice of Mary prompted a response from John in Elisabeth’s womb. Thus, the Holy Spirit in her, helped Elisabeth to recognize the Spirit of the Lord in Mary.
*v.45. “And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.”
Mary’s faith sustains her for what she and her child will experience according to God’s Word and will hold true to the fulfillment of OT prophesy in the coming of the Messiah. She understands the honor and the awesome responsibility that is forthcoming, and yet she remains faithful.
*v. 46 – 48. “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.”
Mary sings her praises to the Lord, known as the Magnificat or Song of Mary. It is one of 8 most ancient Christian Hymns. The text of the Hymn is taken directly from Luke 1:46-55. Verses 46-48 , Mary rejoices that she has the privilege of giving birth to the promised Messiah.
*v. 49 and 50. “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 glorifies God for His power, holiness, and mercy.
*v.51 – 53, “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.”
Mary looks forward to God transforming the world through the Messiah. The proud will be brought low, and the humble will be lifted up; the hungry will be fed, and the rich will go without.
*v.54 – 56, “He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; 55. As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever. 56. And Mary abode with her about three months and returned to her own house.”
Mary exalts God because He has been faithful to His promise to Abraham.