Posted on 12/19/2014 5:42:34 AM PST by Gamecock
Well, we’ve finally come to the end of our sermon series in the book of Genesis. This Sunday, December 21st, we will be looking at a passage from the first chapter of Luke as we consider the meaning of the incarnation and birth of the Son of God. At our Christmas Eve candlelight service, we will look at a couple of verses from Luke 3 and the significance of Jesus’ baptism (yes, you read that right – just come, you’ll see).
Mary’s Song
As I’ve been preparing for the sermon this coming Sunday from Luke 1:39-55, I’ve been thinking a lot about Mary. Unfortunately, we Protestants don’t think a lot about Mary as a person. She may seem to us to be a very flat character – just sort of there, not really knowing what was going on. Perhaps this is a reaction to the Roman Catholic Church’s erroneous teaching on Mary’s role in salvation. [For instance, at Vatican II in 1964, the Roman Catholic Church affirmed “the union of the Mother with the Son in the work of salvation” by her “freely cooperating in the work of human salvation through faith and obedience” (Second Vatican Council,Lumen Gentium, chapter 8, paragraphs 56-57).]
Of course, we Protestants affirm that Mary was a person like us, born in sin and in need of a Savior (the Savior who was born to her!) – just like all those who are descended from Adam by ordinary generation (WCF 6:3). But, as I said, this week I’ve been thinking a lot about Mary. While she was no co-redemtrix, Mary has a lot to teach us. Consider her song of praise which we will be looking at this coming Sunday:
46 And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48“For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. 49 “For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. 50 “AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM. 51 “He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who wereproud in the thoughts of their heart. 52 “He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble. 53 “HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS; And sent away the rich empty-handed. 54 “He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy, 55 As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever.” (Luke 1:46-55)
Mary recognized her humble state and the unmerited blessing of God in being chosen to be the one who would give birth to the Savior (vv 46-50). What’s more, Mary had a keen understanding of the promises of God in the old covenant and how these promises were being fulfilled through the child that she carried in her womb (vv 51-55). Mary was not sinless, but she was no dummy either!
Mary, did you know?
Around this time of year, you might hear the song Mary, Did You Know? by Mark Lowry. The lyrics of the song give expression to the Person and work of Jesus Christ as Lord of creation and Redeemer of mankind:
Mary did you know that your baby boy will some day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you’ve delivered, will soon deliver you.Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when your kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.Oh Mary did you know
The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lambMary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you’re holding is the great I am
It’s a beautiful song in my opinion, but the question in the title which is repeated throughout (“Mary, did you know?”) – is unfortunate, I think. You can’t help but read the words of Mary’s song in Luke 1 and not arrive at the conclusion: Yes, Mary knew!
She understood the significance of the Christ-child that she bore in her womb. She understood, unlike many others to whom Jesus preached, that her son was the great ‘I am’ (John 8:56-59). She understood that her baby was the Lord making good on the promises that He had made to Abraham and his descendants.
The question is: Do you know?
INDEED, that is the question! And what a beautiful conclusion to the lesson. Thank you for sharing it.
Isn’t that a wonderful line!
It's a lot more dramatic and much simpler for us.
The impression I always got from our liturgy and general belief is that Mary is a near queen-like Deity, herself since she's the mother of Christ. And she's the ultimate, eternal lesson and expression of the Deity of all motherhood.
The meeting of humanity and God, always.
I don't agree with this. I have taught a series of Sunday school classes on Prayer several times and for an example of prayers of praise to God I always review the Magnificat - one of the great prayers in the bible. Mary shows us an awesome example of how to praise God. Also, Mary's last recorded words in the bible are the greatest advice one could ever receive: "Do whatever he (Jesus) says". Those are words to live your life by.
The author needs to study up on the definition of co-redemptrix.
http://www.voxpopuli.org/response_to_7_common_objections_part1.php
AMEN.
Your last posting words I am in whole hearted support coming from this Catholic.
Thank you for this post. It is a good meditation piece.
I always took the Magnificat as a song of praise to God more so than a prayer, but then songs of praise may be prayers as well. In any event, thanks be to God for the miracle and gift of Christ!
The Magnificat
My soul magnifies the Lord
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid;
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;
Because He who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His name;
And His mercy is from generation to generation
on those who fear Him.
He has shown might with His arm,
He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent away empty.
He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of His mercy
Even as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever.
Thanks, a dozen thanks, these are very good thoughts, based on such excellent Scriptures, excellent Saints!
That’s great! Thanks!
"The ‘great things' are no other than this: she became the Mother of God. In this reality so many gifts and such great goods are dispensed that no one can grasp them.
Hence come all the honor, all the beatitude that she receives, as well as the singular place she holds in all generations, because no one else has received a child from the heavenly Father, and a child such as this Child.
She herself cannot find a name worthy of his immense greatness, and can only let her love overflow, for these things are so great that we cannot express or measure them. So, with one word, by calling her "Mother of God," we understand all her honor; we cannot tell her or speak of her saying anything greater, even if we could speak as many languages as there are leaves and blades of grass, stars in the heavens and grains of sand in the sea. Therefore the heart must ponder on what signifies to be "Mother of God."
(Commentary on the Magnificat)
So why do Papists keep insisting Prods hold Luther out as infallible?
I've never heard nor read that before regarding Luther.
I have heard and read that concerning Calvin.
Truth is, on this side of the Atlantic Lutheranism is very much a minority. The Zwinglians and Calvinists have the most adherents, placing Lutherans in a very defensive position.
On one hand, they are accused as being "Papist" or "almost Catholic" by the Zwinglian Baptists, on the other hand they are sometimes accused of being the followers of a schismatic and father of heretics by Catholics.
you didn't really use Luther and infallible in the same sentence did you?????????
Only as the Papist understanding of such.
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