Magnify the Lord

December 8, 2013

Lesson: Luke 1:46–56

Key Verse: Luke 1:47

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Mary Magnifies the Lord—Luke 1:46–55

Mary responded to Elizabeth’s confirmation and blessing of the Lord that she would be an instrument in the fulfillment of God’s promise of the coming of His Messiah, praising Him, saying, “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior!” It is the song of the Psalmist, and that of every redeemed soul who belongs to our heavenly Father: “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together” (Psa. 34:1–3). Let the redeemed of the Lord not be ashamed to praise the Lord, together, one with another. The shed blood of our Savior has ransomed our souls from the depths of destruction. We have this in common with Mary, this Christ who came to us through her womb, is both her Savior and ours.

Her praise also included the knowledge of God’s will in her life. She sang, “For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaid; for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.” The Lord had regarded her worthy to be His handmaiden. Therefore, in our generation, we shall call her “blessed!” This word, “blessed” (Makarizo), is used only of Mary and of the persecuted prophets: “Behold, we count them happy (blessed) who endure” (James 5:11). Mary is “blessed” in that she has been indwelt by the Spirit of God, and thus “fully satisfied.” May we know this blessedness, this inward happiness that comes from the truth that the will of the Lord is being done in our lives, as it is done in His heaven. The Scripture speaks of our Savior, saying, “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb. 5:9).

Mary praised the Lord, magnified God her Savior, by recalling His marvelous deeds. He had done “great things” to her, and “holy is his name.” He is the one who shows mercy upon those who fear him, displaying His marvelous grace “from generation to generation.” He has showed His strength, scattering “the proud in the imaginations of their heart.” Those who consider themselves mighty, will be brought down, and those of low degree exalted by Him. Those who consider themselves rich and in no need of Him, He will make empty, while He feeds the hungry with good things. He helps His Israel, His church, remembering His covenant of mercy. He fulfills His covenant with His people, keeping that which He promised to Abraham and his seed.

Discussion: What can we declare about our Lord that we may praise Him?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2013 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.