Why God Often Starts With The Poor (Luke 1:39-80)
Have you ever wondered why God often starts his most outstanding work with people of humble means? David, Ruth, and Esther are just a few of the many examples in the Old Testament.
Luke 1:39-80
Today's Scripture Passage
A Few Thoughts to Consider
Have you ever wondered why God often starts his most outstanding work with people of humble means?
David, Ruth, and Esther are just a few of the many examples in the Old Testament. But with the start of the New Testament, we arrive at the story of Mary—a young Jewish girl likely raised in peasant conditions. Luke 1:39-80 describes Mary's visit to her relative Elizabeth, where Elizabeth's unborn baby leaps in her womb upon hearing Mary's greeting, and Elizabeth blesses Mary. As Darrell Bock writes, “The meeting between the childbearers recalls Genesis 25:22–26, although this passage contrasts significantly with the earlier one. Whereas Jacob and Esau battled for supremacy within a single womb, John rejoices at the superior role Jesus possesses by leaping in Elizabeth’s womb (Luke 1:41, 44).”[1]
Mary responds with a song of praise, known as the Magnificat. This song echoes the song of Hannah recorded in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. “Just as Hannah’s humility and faith bring her greater blessing than the aged priest Eli in 1 Samuel 1, Mary’s humility and faith bring greater blessing than Zechariah’s in Luke 1:11–38 (though Zechariah is a less disobedient character than Eli).”[2] The words of Mary’s Magnificat are powerful. She says:
46 My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 because he has looked with favor
on the humble condition of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations
will call me blessed,
49 because the Mighty One
has done great things for me,
and his name is holy.
50 His mercy is from generation to generation
on those who fear him.
51 He has done a mighty deed with his arm;
he has scattered the proud
because of the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has toppled the mighty from their thrones
and exalted the lowly.
53 He has satisfied the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering his mercy
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he spoke to our ancestors.
N.T. Wright notes this song is “one of the most famous songs in Christianity. It’s been whispered in monasteries, chanted in cathedrals, recited in small remote churches by evening candlelight, and set to music with trumpets and kettledrums by Johann Sebastian Bach.”[3] What makes these words especially meaningful is the position from which they’re written. By society’s standards, Mary has nothing and is nothing. Perhaps this is why so many have resonated with her message. Darrell Bock writes,
As Mary’s hymn moves from her situation to how God treats certain groups in general, her message becomes not just her own, but that of millions of others. They can enter into her praise, for they know what rejection by the world is, what being humble before God is, and maybe even what being poor is….Often it is the poor who are most sensitive to God and recognize their need for him. Mary’s song reveals God’s character and attributes not as abstract expressions of holiness, mercy, and saving power, but in concrete relationship to people and in the detailed working of their lives. God’s attributes are meant not only to be understood and worshiped, but they are to be experienced as well, seen in the everyday affairs of life. So those who appear to be powerful in the world are often impotent before God, while those who seem to be hopeless and helpless are under God’s watchful eye.[4]
A Meditation to PRAY
Praise | Lord, like Mary, I worship you, for you have done great things for me. My soul magnifies you, and my spirit rejoices in you, my Savior. Your mercy extends to those who fear you from generation to generation.
Release | I release my fears and doubts into your loving hands, trusting in your strength and faithfulness. I let go of my pride and embrace humility, recognizing your power at work in my life. I surrender my plans, allowing your will to guide my path.
Ask | I ask for your continued mercy and guidance in my life, Lord. Give me the strength to live out your calling and to serve others with a joyful heart. Fill me with your Holy Spirit so I may proclaim your greatness to the world.
Yield | I yield to your divine plan, knowing that you lift up the humble and fill the hungry with good things. I submit to your wisdom, trusting that you know what is best for me. I give you my life, Lord, for you are mighty and holy, and your love endures forever.
