Christ the Redeemer is Born

As we have seen this year, Christ is on display in every book of scripture?

This is far easier to see in the Gospels.

Here we have the famous account of Mary’s praise at the news of Christ’s birth.

She was deathly afraid of the news at first but became faithful to the Lord.

Why did she praise God? Aside from the great honor that God was giving her, Mary saw in this several things:

Christ is the Display of God’s Mercy.

In vs. 46-50, Mary rightly praises God for the good news of Jesus’ expected birth. In particular, she praises Him for the mercy that he shows to the people. She says, “And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. 50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation.” Here Mary praises God for at least two things:

1. Giving her the privilege of Carrying Jesus. This seems to be what Mary is getting at in vs. 49 when she says, “For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.” Mary was deeply honored and humbled to think that God had seen fit to use her in such a profound what. It seems that the reason he chose her, however, was because of her humility. And from this, we draw a lesson: God uses those who humble themselves before God. Therefore, we must be a people of humility as we seek to honor Christ in all things.
2. Showing Mercy to the Humble. The even greater cause for praise, however, came from the fact that God was showing mercy to her and all the humble. This seems to be what Mary means in vs. 48 when she says, “He has regarded the lowly state.” She then goes on to say, “And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation.” Once again, we see how humility plays into the situation. God shows mercy on those who humble themselves before Him.

Thus, throughout the whole first part of this passage, we see Mary exalting God for His mercy toward the humble. None of us are worthy of the grace of God, even if we are the most humble of all.

Nevertheless, God has seen fit to show mercy on those who humble themselves and then chooses to use them greatly for His Kingdom.

• James 4:8-10. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
• Proverbs 29:23. “A man's pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.”

Thus, we praise and magnify God for the Mercy He shows to us. By His mercy, we have been spared the judgment that we all deserve. By His mercy, we are granted purpose and honor.

Christ is the Display of God’s Justice.

In vs. 51-53, Mary goes on to express her praise toward God for the way that He exercises justice throughout the earth. She says, “He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.” Here Mary reflects on the way that God’s justice is shown. The humble receive honor and blessing, whereas the proud are scattered and left empty. In this life, we often wonder why it is that the wicked prosper. The Psalmist was so bothered by this, he said (Psalm 73:2-3): 

• “But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” 

We innately understand that there is something wrong with ungodliness that prospers. So, when we see it, we may be tempted to question the Justice of God. But, in Luke 1:51-53, Mary praises God for the way in which He brings justice on all people. What may appear to go unchecked now will ultimately be rectified with the judgment of God. Just as the humble are blessed by the coming of Christ, the wicked and prideful are judged. Thus, as the coming of Christ brings relief and blessing for the saved, it brings fear and judgment to the lost.

• John 3:18-21. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. "But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
• Psalm 23:5-6. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me, your rod and your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.”

Thus, there is praise with the coming of the messiah because we are reminded of the justice of God.

Christ is the Display of God’s Faithfulness.

In vs. 54-55, Mary praises God for His faithfulness. She says, “He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.” With this reference, Mary recalls the way that God promised the Messiah back with the covenant of Abraham. Centuries had come and gone, but the Messiah was still yet to come. But now, in Jesus Christ, the Messiah had come to earth as the fulfillment of God’s promise. Therefore, Mary praises God for His faithfulness. In Jesus Christ, the people of God receive help, blessing and victory.

• Exodus 2:23-24. “Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage. So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.”
• Galatians 4:3-5. “Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons”

Thus, we are reminded again of the faithfulness of God in Christ Jesus.

Conclusion:

How has God given you mercy?

Do you trust that God is Just?

Do you trust that God is faithful?