Luke 1:39-56 All verses are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.

A Visit From Mary

Luke 1:39-56

All verses are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted

“into the hill country with haste” (v. 39)

Why is Mary going with haste to the hill country? Because of what she just learned (1:26-38)

Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth (26) God recognizes the cities men create and the names

given to them God’s choices are not always esteemed by man (Jn.

1:45, 46; 1 Cor. 1:27-29) To a virgin betrothed to a man (27)

God knows what people are (i.e., a virgin) and recognizes their status and relationship to others (i.e., betrothed)

He knows the purity of His people…no fooling God “The virgin’s name was Mary”

“Mary” is of Hebrew origin “Miriam”

“into the hill country with haste” (v. 39)

Gabriel’s message to Mary (28-37) Favored one…blessed are you among women (v.

28) Not blessed because of her social status, wealth, locality,

relatives, etc. but because…

“the Lord is with you” (28) “have found favor with God” (v. 30) will “bring forth a Son” (31)

“He will be great” (32) “Will be called the Son of the Highest” (32; cf. 37, note

contrast of Gen. 6:1ff) Will be given “the throne of His father David” (32) “He will reign forever” (33) “His kingdom there will be no end” (33)

Elizabeth, your relative also conceived a son (v. 36) This is why she left with haste to visit Elizabeth!

“HOW CAN THIS BE?” Mary’s response (34)

Though blessed and favored, she still became confused

God’s ways can be “past finding out” “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom

and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Rom. 11:33)

What is impossible with us is very possible with God

"For with God nothing will be impossible" (v. 37)

ELIZABETH

“and entered the house” (v. 40)

Who are Zacharias and Elizabeth? Lived during the days of Herod the Great (5) Zacharias was a priest of the division of Abijah (5)

“David divided the priests into twenty-four bodies or courses, each course serving in rotation one week in the temple (1Ch 24:3-19). Of these courses that of Abijah was the eighth” (J. W. McGarvey, Fourfold Gospel, p. 9)

Aaron’s wife was Elizabeth’s ancestress (5) Named after, “Elisheba” (Hebrew) “Aaron took to himself Elisheba, daughter of

Amminadab, sister of Nahshon, as wife; and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar” (Ex. 6:23)

From Levi PRIESTLY

From Judah ROYAL(Num. 1:7; 2:3; Mat. 1:4)

Zacharias & Elizabeth They were both righteous before God (6)

By walking in all the commandments of God Childless (v. 7)

Elizabeth was barren “The births of Isaac, (Ge 17:17 21:2)

Samson, (Jud 13:2,24) Samuel (1Sa 1:2,5,20) and the Baptist were all contrary to nature, and were faint foreshadowings of the greater miracle which took place in the birth of our Lord” (J. W. McGarvey, Fourfold Gospel, p. 9)

Well advanced in age (v. 7)

Zacharias & Elizabeth Became the parents of John (the Baptist, 8-17), as

announced by Gabriel* (*an angel who’s name means, hero, warrior of God. Of

Hebrew origin which emphasizes God-like strength and great “ability to fight”)

Zacharias became mute because of disbelief of what this great messenger spoke (18-20)

What about us? Elizabeth felt compelled to hide for five months (24,

25) “Probably through mingled feelings of modesty, humility,

devotion, and joy” (ibid. p. 13, 14). “till the event was put beyond doubt and became

apparent” (JFB) Mary visits her in the sixth month when she spoke with

Gabriel

When Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary (41-45)

1. The “babe” leaped in the womb (41) While “in the womb”, John was “a babe” Same classification as born infants

note Gk., brefov (brephos)cf. Lk. 2:12, 16; 18:15; 2 Tim. 3:15

newborn babes (1 Pet. 2:2) unborn babes (Lk. 1:41)

whether newborn or unborn they are all still babes whether newborn or unborn they are fully human even before formed in the womb God knows

(cf. Jer. 1:5)

When Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary (41-45)

2. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit (41) probably given the ability to know and

utter prophecy blessed are you among women… (42)

similar to what Gabriel said to Mary(28) blessed is the fruit of your womb (42) its an honor to be a mother

highest honor to be the mother of the long awaited Messiah

Elizabeth’s Sermon

For Us

ELIZABETH REJOICED… even though she was old and

Mary was young even though she suffered with

the reproach of barrenness and Mary did not

even though she had to wait until her old age to have a son and Mary did not

even though her son was only a sign and forerunner to Mary’s son

even though her son’s glory would be far surpassed by Mary’s son

only when we fully exalt Christ as “My Lord” and are liberated from selfishness and envy can we truly rejoice with those who rejoice – even when others are seemingly blessed more and perhaps suffer less than we do

1. “No Comparison; No Envy”

2. “Know Jealousy; No Happiness”

3. “No Jealously; Know Happiness”

DON’T DESPISE

YOUR PART IN GOD’S

PROVIDENCE!

The mother of my Lord… (43)

by inspiration she new that Mary would be a mother Mary would be the mother of her “Lord”

(similar to the prophetic utterance by David in Psalm 110:1 and hints at Christ’s deity cf. Matt. 22:41-45)

this was the only One in history where as yet, unborn, could be properly referred to as “my Lord”

Jesus was Lord even as a babe (2:11)

Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things…(45)

Mary had a question about such, but believed what was revealed to her (cf. 38) In contrast, Zacharias did not believe (18-

20) “But without faith it is impossible to

please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6)

THE MESSAGE FROM MARY

Luke 1:46-55

Message From Mary (46-55)

“The Magnificat” as per “magnificat” being the first word in the

Latin Version for “magnify” Content similar to what Hannah spoke (1 Sam.

2:1-10)


1. Speaks of the true spirit of worship “My soul magnifies the Lord And my spirit has

rejoiced in God my Savior” (46, 47) radiates from within, viz., “my soul” and “my spirit” has intensity; it magnifies and rejoices

Does Your Worship Magnify and Rejoice as Mary’s Did?

Magnifies (Gk. megaluno) to make great, enlarge,

esteem, celebrate “according to my earnest

expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death” (Phil. 1:20)

(cf. Acts 5:13; 10:46; 19:17)

Rejoices (Gk. agalliao) to be exceedingly glad “In that hour Jesus rejoiced

in the Spirit…” (Lk. 10:21) “Your father Abraham

rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad” (Jn. 8:56)

“whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Pet. 1:8)

Does Your Worship Magnify and Rejoice as Mary’s Did?

Not if I am bored at services Not if I rarely pray or listen to the prayers Not if I am not singing in the spirit

have I nothing to sing about? have I nothing to pray about? have I no reason to smile?

DEPENDS ON WHAT WORSHIP MEANS TO YOU!

The Fact That…

GOD SAVED US FROM HELL IS A REASON TO SING FROM THE SOUL!

GOD GAVE US HIS WORD IS A REASON TO PRAY FROM THE SOUL!

GOD’S EAR IN HEAVEN IS IN TUNE WITH OUR REQUESTS IS A REASON TO SMILE FROM THE SOUL!


2. Speaks of the true object of worship “My soul magnifies the Lord And my spirit has

rejoiced in God my Savior” (46, 47) is directed to the right One – God

if it is not directed towards God, it is in vain “… Worship God!...” (Rev. 19:10) “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the

true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him” (Jn. 4:23)


3. Speaks of the true nature of worship “My soul magnifies the Lord And my spirit has

rejoiced in God my Savior” (46, 47) is regular (ongoing)

Present Tense Aorist Tense

“The aorist tense is characterized by its emphasis on punctiliar action; that is, the concept of the verb is considered without regard for past, present, or future time. There is no direct or clear English equivalent for this tense, though it is generally rendered as a simple past tense in most translations” (Online Bible Greek Lexicon, 5777)

?


3. Speaks of the true nature of worship “My soul magnifies the Lord And my spirit has

rejoiced in God my Savior” (46, 47) is regular (ongoing)

Present Tense Aorist Tense

“My spirit finds its joy in God, my Savior” (GWV)


4. Speaks of her need to be saved “My soul magnifies the Lord And my spirit has

rejoiced in God my Savior” (46, 47)

Mary Needed Saved

Mary therefore had sin to be saved from!

Her Son was her SaviorHer Son Is Our Savior

Mary is not our Savior, but she had a tremendous role in our great salvation!

Lk. 2:25-35; Jn. 19:25-27; 2 Cor. 5:14, 15

Mary’s Reasons To Rejoice

Viewed God as her savior (47)

God regarded her lowly state (48)

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (Jas. 1:17)




“Mary was blessed in her motherhood, Abraham in his covenant and promises, Paul in his apostleship, etc., but none of these human beings are to be worshiped because of the blessings which they received. Rather should we bestow the more worship on God, from whom these their blessings flow”

(J. W. McGarvey, The Fourfold Gospel)




God did mighty things for her (49)

God’s name is holy (49)

God is merciful on those who fear Him (50)

God works with works of irony (51-53)“Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, And the hungry have ceased to hunger. Even the barren has borne seven, And she who has many children has become feeble” (1 Sam. 2:5)

“…hyperboles for the disappointment of the proud…” (J. W. McGarvey, The Fourfold Gospel)







God works with works of irony (51-53)“Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” (Jas. 2:5)







God works with works of irony (51-53)

God keeps His promises (54, 55)

“…Let it be to me according to your word” (Lk. 1:38)

“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mk. 16:16)

“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16)

“Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized” (Acts 9:18)

Will You Let It Be According To The Lord’s Word Today?

Luke 1:39-56 All verses are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.

Documents

Transcript of Luke 1:39-56 All verses are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.