MY SPIRIT REJOICES

Luke 1:39-66 / Keywords 1:46-47

And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

 

Mary Visits Elizabeth

1:39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Mary’s Song

46 And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord

47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48 for he has been mindful

    of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

49     for the Mighty One has done great things for me—

    holy is his name.

50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,

    from generation to generation.

51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones

    but has lifted up the humble.

53 He has filled the hungry with good things

    but has sent the rich away empty.

54 He has helped his servant Israel,

    remembering to be merciful

55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,

    just as he promised our ancestors.”

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

The Birth of John the Baptist

57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”

61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”

62 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.

1. Upon hearing the angel’s words, Mary rushed to Elizabeth. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, saw Mary as the mother of her Lord. Even the baby in her womb leaped for joy.

 

2. Then Mary sang a song of praise. She deeply accepted the Lord’s salvation work promised, saying, “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Her joy is the revelation of God. He is eternal and mighty, yet full of mercy for the humble. He is the God of history, especially Israel’s history, and he is eternally faithful to his promises. He is joy for our spirits because he is our Savior.

 

3. Elizabeth gave birth, and everyone shared her joy. When it came time to name the baby, Zechariah was obedient to the Lord’s command through the angel. He insisted on naming him John. He believed the Lord, and now his mouth was opened to praise God and bring others to praise him as well.

 

Prayer Lord, you are my source of joy. Use me to proclaim your saving grace and be a source of joy for others.

One Word Rejoice in God our Savior