Mary consented to be a ‘virgin mother’ despite threat to life and reputation and Hannah’s leaving child Samuel to serve the LORD represent true Christmas spirit of surrender to His will.
Mary’s Magnificat : My Soul Magnifies The Lord
Invariably after receiving something extraordinary
from someone we rejoice by giving effusive thanks to the provider. Mary also
received a message of great blessings for not only her people, the Israelites,
but for the whole world about the coming of the Messiah through her womb. Her
song of rejoicing and praising God for choosing her to be the vessel for His
grace and mercy for the world is an exceptional response by a woman destined to
be an unwed mother. But this song is also a lamp for the feet of all who step
forward to walk in God’s ways.
Status of women during Mary’s time – God
brought all animals and birds before Adam and he ‘gave names to all cattle, the
birds of the air, and to every beast of the field’. Later the LORD God made the
woman, ‘and He brought her to the man’ (Genesis 2:19-22). Adam was given
dominion over all the animals and birds that he had named and he was to
exercise control over them. The woman was formed as a ‘help meet’ an Ezer
kenegdo’ for man, one who creates a protective layer around man to protect,
guide and lead him. Role of a woman has already been discussed in and earlier
program in detail. And Adam named his wife as Eve after commission of the act
of disobedience of God by them both (Genesis 3:20).
Three factors have been used to undermine the actual God given role of a woman.
That God brought her to Adam; and that she gave him the fruit to eat leading to
sin and her being named by Adam are taken for centuries to imply that God gave
authority over her to Adam. This has led to domination of a woman by man while
holding her guilty for the sin. Inability of a woman to bear a child was and is
deemed as a curse for the woman though the weakness may be in the man. God
commanded mankind that ‘You shall not commit adultery (Exodus 20:14). And then
the punishment for this sin was defined, ‘The man who commits adultery
with another man’s wife, he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the
adulterer and the adulteress, shall surely be put to death’ (Leviticus
20:10). The Scripture lays down the same rule for a married woman as well
as for a virgin betrothed to a husband (Deuteronomy 22:22-23).
Virgin Mary was betrothed to Joseph to be married to him and she was
liable to attract the death penalty and suffer condemnation and humiliation for
herself and her family for consenting for being the mother of the Messiah. In
addition was the threat of cancellation of her marriage resulting in life long
suffering. Her question to angel Gabriel is not about doubting the
message from God but a genuine query. The reply from angel Gabriel, ‘For with
God nothing will be impossible’ and the blessed power of the Holy Spirit doing
this, resulted in her reply to the angel, ‘Let it be to me according to your
word’. This statement of acceptance of God’s deed in her life and her journey
of about 70 miles or about 100 km to meet and help an aged Elizabeth indicates
her love for others, grit and determination ((Luke 1:27-39).
The scribes and the Pharisees brought to Lord Jesus a woman allegedly ‘caught
in adultery for they were seeking to test Him whether He would agree to their
demand of stoning her’. This act clearly reveals the state of a woman during
those times for the man had been let off and she alone was brought for trial
(John 8:3-11). In light of the knowledge of the then prevailing social
conditions concerning women, the act of Mary to accept and then rejoice for
being chosen by God reveals her great love and commitment for God.
Similarities
of Mary’s Magnificat and Hannah’s song – Hanna meaning ‘favor by
grace or petition’ prayed in ‘bitterness of soul’ asking for a male child and
making a vow to dedicate him to the LORD and to make him a Nazrite. After her
prayer she told Eli the Priest, ‘let your maidservant find favor in your sight’
and her face was no longer sad for she had msde her petition before the LORD
and an answer was received in faith. In fulfillment of her vow the child was
weaned and brought to God’s house and offered for service (1 Samuel 1:10 -25).
In the Scripture there is none else with the name Hanna except Anna, an 84
years old widow, who ‘served God with fasting and prayer night and day’ and who
recognized the child Messiah and gave thanks to God (Luke 2:36). Hannah and
Mary were both committed to God’s work and Hannah’s prayer was for a son to
bring salvation to the rest of Israel and reverse their spiritual decline while
Mary was to be the mother of the Messiah. Both Hannah and Mary sang their
respective hymns at the onset of their pain of obedience. Hannah rejoiced when
she left child Samuel, about 3 years old, with Eli, surrounded by corruption
all around while (1 Samuel 1:28) and Mary sang after meeting Elisabeth after
onset of her pregnancy.
Samuel as a child was surrounded by corruption, by wrong doctrine, by wrong
practices during worship presided over by Eli and his sons but despite
this ‘the child Samuel grew before the LORD’ (1 Samuel 2:21). Lord Jesus’ deity
was recognized by Simeon and Anna in the Temple and they glorified God while
Mary heard the prophesy of Simeon, ‘a sword shall pierce through your heart’.
And ‘the Child grew and became strong in spirit; filled with wisdom; and the
grace of God was upon Him’ (Luke 2:35-40).
Mary’s Magnificat is so named after the Latin text ‘Magnificat anima mea
Dominum’ translated as ‘My soul magnifies the LORD and my spirit rejoices in
God my Savior’. This shows the humility and devotion of Mary who after giving
her consent to the angel Gabriel, ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord! Let it be
done to me according to your word’, goes off ‘in haste’ to be with the aged
Elisabeth and help her (in Luke 1:38- 39). She is focused on helping others and
glorifies the Lord in this. Catholic Archbishop Fulton referred to Mary
as ‘a magnifying glass that intensifies our love for her Son’ and her joyful
claim that ‘all generations shall call me blessed is not arrogance or pride but
humility. In the same vein Apostle Paul says, ‘whoever boasts, should boast in
the Lord’ in God’s work done through him (2 Corinthians 10:17).
Magnificat is more than a prayer of praise but a reminder of humility and
holiness. Mary declares as God has ‘regarded the lowliness of His
handmaid’ and has done great things for choosing her to be the mother of His
Son, and that ‘He has put down the mighty from their thrones and has exalted
the lowly’ (Luke 1:46-55). Mary refers to herself as LORD’s handmaid, His
servant and her Son our Savior also stressed ‘Whoever exalts himself shall be
humbled and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted’ (Matthew 23:12). Likewise
her statement, ‘He has filled the hungry with good things’ (Luke 1:53) is
repeated by the Savior in the Sermon on the Mount, ‘Blessed are they who hunger
and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled’ (Matthew 5:6-7). This
is a reminder for us to ‘stay hungry’ for God’s graces in prayer and in reading
and meditating upon His Word.
The words, ‘the rich He has sent empty’ is about those whose god is
wealth and power for they desire to be gods themselves rather than being God’s
and since they are so full of themselves, they shall return spiritually empty
from before the LORD. Am I hungry and thirsty for God’s righteousness or filled
with self, conceit and arrogance magnifying self rather than God? Like Mary am
I surrendering to God ‘to let it be done according to God’s Word’; am I helping
others in their spiritual growth; do others see in my life Lord Jesus’ love and
goodness in my life’ by letting God do His will in and through me?
Mary’s Magnificat is that beam of strong light that leads us to God’s Son in
humility and self surrender and in the Old Testament times Hannah’s song
revealed similar feelings of the created for the Creator for His love and
mercy.
Teachings of the two songs of praise of God –
Both songs are about gratefulness towards God for His love towards human beings
and there are many ways that we are blessed by these hymns of praise of
God. First, taking our problems to the LORD, Hannah
knew where to go to seek relief for her barrenness (1 Samuel 1:10). Mary along
with all Israelites had been waiting for the coming of the Messiah and God
answered their prayers. Second, seeking miracles – In her
brokenness and pain of suffering taunts from, Penninah the second wife of
Elkanah, Hannah fasted and ‘in bitterness of soul, prayed to the LORD’. She
‘spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard’ for it
was about laying bare one’s heart before God to receive a miracle filled
blessing for her barrenness (1 Samuel 1:11-13). Mary saw the angel Gabriel and
‘she was troubled at his saying’, there was no surprise or fear but only
anxiety about his greeting. Both Mary and Hannah knew their God, believed and
earnestly expected miraculous works.
Third, both believed that God would fulfill His promise – After her prayer Hannah was not sad and later every year brought
a robe for Samuel and he ministered before the LORD (1 Samuel 2:18-20). Mary
did not doubt Gabriel’s word but expressed surprise for she was a virgin and
she accepted that God can do anything (Luke 1:34-37). Four, be prepared
to sacrifice – Mary willingly surrendered to God’s will despite threat
to life and prestige. Hannah was faithful and morally strong to uphold her end
of the vow to hand over the child to Eli the priest for God’s service (1 Samuel
1:24-28). Five, making and fulfilling vows – Hannah made two
vows during her prayer for the child, a dedication vow that she ‘will give him
to the LORD all the days of his life’ and secondly, the abstinence vow that ‘no
razor shall come upon his head’ that is to commit him as a Nazirite and she
fulfilled both vows. ‘Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her
heart’ is a statement made about her many times in the Scripture (Luke 2:19).
Sshe was well aware of the Divine status of her Son but never tried to lay
claim on Him for herself or her other children.
Six,
learn to give willingly – Hannah’s pain of leaving her three year old
son in the Temple (1 Samuel 1:28) and bringing worship clothes for him
every year and Mary’s frantic efforts to locate her twelve years old Son
reflect their deep love and commitment for their children. But finally Lord
Jesus’ shifting from Nazareth to Capernaum reflect their willingness to give
for LORD’s work. Seven, giving God the praise – Both praised
God that ‘He who is mighty has done great things for me’ and ‘has regarded the
lowly state of His maidservant’ and recognized their special blessed
status. Eight, raising righteous children – Hannah left Samuel
when he had just been weaned at age three or so, yet the child was well versed
in Temple practices. Mary’s other sons from Joseph initially did not believe in
Lord Jesus but after His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension James became
head of the Jerusalem Council and helped resolve the circumcision debate and
Jude became a learned teacher of the Word. Both mothers were instrumental in
the early spiritual upbringing of their children to serve the LORD God. Nine,
remaining free from jealousy – Elisabeth was filled with the Holy
Spirit and recognized her status but rejoiced saying, ‘Why is this granted to
me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? There was no feeling of
jealousy for Mary on her esteemed state (Luke 1:41-45). Hannah had
suffered endlessly the taunts of Penninah but there is no mention of her
behaving wrongly with her ever after.
Christmas
message – Christmas is about God’s love for mankind (John 3:16). King
David, the man with God’s heart’, lived his life filled with God’s love and
exclaimed ‘What is man that You are mindful of him, son of man that You care
for him?’ (Psalm 8:4). God’s love is again explained by Apostle Paul, ‘But God
demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us’ (Romans 5:8). Lord Jesus acceptance of crucifixion was not
in weakness but extreme power with more than 12 legions of angels (around 72,000
in number) at His command with one angel able to kill 1,85,000 warriors in one
night (Isaiah 37:36). In addition the power of His own word mulyiplied the
angels’ strength to unimaginable limits to kill and destroy the total
inhabitants on the earth in one go. Apostle John declares that we have seen
God’s love for us in His Son so now we should be ready to lay down our lives
for others and Great Commission is about this responsibility towards others (1
John 3:16). Our failure to take the message of Christmas to others is equal to
our rejection of His command and even His sacrifice on the cross. In truth this
is Christmas to uplift the lowly and bless the needy by meeting their need.
Mary and Hannah surrendered to the LORD God through prayer and received
miraculous blessings and their songs of praise reflect their deep and close
relationship with God. Are we also prepared to move out of our comfort zones to
be available to the LORD God without bothering about our own selves. This
complete surrender in imitation to the prayers of the Savior Lord in Gethsemane
Park ‘Your will not Mine be done” is what Christmas is for a believer!