Day 1 - Lord's Day - Sunday - The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2022-2023 - Logos

 December 25

Lesson 4 (KJV)

Mary Rejoices

Devotional Reading: Isaiah 9:1–7

Background Scripture: Luke 1:46–55

Luke 1:46–55

46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: behold, from henceforth, all generations shall call me blessed.

49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

51 He hath shewed strength with his arm and scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he sent empty away.

54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

Key Text

Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.—Luke 1:46–47

From Darkness to Light

Unit 1: God’s Preparation

Lessons 1–4

Lesson Aims

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

1. List key reasons for Mary’s rejoicing and praise.

2. Compare and contrast Mary’s Song with Zacharias’s Song (Luke 1:67–79; see lesson 2).

3. Compose two to four lines of a song of personal praise, using Mary’s Song as a model.

Lesson Outline

Introduction

A. Boasting or Celebrating?

B. Lesson Context

I. Worshipping the Almighty (Luke 1:46–50)

A. Virgin Rejoices (vv. 46–49)

Spontaneous Song

B. Generations Receive Mercy (v. 50)

Faithful Generations

II. The Work of the Almighty (Luke 1:51–55)

A. Exalting the Lowly (vv. 51–53)

B. Remembering His Servant (vv. 54–55)

Conclusion

A. Self-Exaltation or Salvation?

B. Prayer

C. Thought to Remember

How to Say It

Advent	Ad-vent.
anthropomorphic	an-thruh-puh-mawr-fik.
Asaph	Ay-staff.
Barak	Bair-UK.
Habakkuk	Huh-back-kuk.
Magnificat	Mag-nif-ih-cot.
Miriam	Meer-ee-um.
patriarchs	pay-tree-arks.
Simeon	Sim-ee-un.

What Do You Think? What do you need to take up or give up to better practice humility? Digging Deeper What connection exists between living with humility and being attentive to God’s call?

What Do You Think? How do you follow God so that His mercy will be displayed through you to future generations? Digging Deeper How have previous generations of believers provided an example for you in the same regard?

What Do You Think? How can believers avoid pride in their thoughts, words, and deeds? Digging Deeper Who would you recruit to serve as an accountability partner in this regard?

What Do You Think? How would you answer someone who says that Luke 1:53 argues that God does not want people to be rich? Digging Deeper How do Proverbs 22:2; Luke 6:24; 16:8–14; 1 Timothy 6:9–10, 17–19; and James 5:1–6 inform your answer?

 B. Remembering His Servant (vv. 54–55)

54. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy.

Throughout the Old Testament, Israel was identified as the servant of the Lord (Psalm 136:22; Isaiah 41:8–9; 44:21). As such, the people of Israel had a special role in God’s plan of salvation: they would be “a light to the Gentiles” (49:6). Out of them the light of God’s salvation would shine for the world (see Luke 2:32; John 1:9).

Mary was confident that the prophetic implications of her song would be fulfilled because of God’s history of remembering His promises (see Exodus 2:24; 1 Chronicles 16:15; Psalm 105:42; Micah 7:20). God’s plan was not to forget Abraham’s descendants. Instead, His plan was to reveal the way of salvation through them.

Mary’s Song reflects the heart of the psalmist: God “hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God” (Psalm 98:3). God showed help toward (he hath holpen) His people in the advent of Christ Jesus. Though the people had disregarded God and His commands, God still showed them mercy. He provided a way for their salvation as well as for the salvation of the world.

55. As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

Mary’s Song makes an appeal to the patriarchs, the fathers, of Israel. The promises that God spake … to Abraham would be fulfilled by way of Mary’s child. God promised Abraham that his family would be a blessing to all the earth (Genesis 12:1–3). Through Mary’s child and Abraham’s descendant, the promise of blessing had arrived (see Galatians 3:16–19, 29). This was not a new work of salvation by God, but a continuation of the promise that He had made (see Genesis 22:18).

The mention of Abraham introduces a common theme in Luke’s Gospel and the book of Acts. Both texts connect God’s promises to Abraham with the expansion of the people of God to include both Jew and Gentile. Not all people who claimed to be descendants to Abraham would receive God’s blessing (see Luke 3:8–9; 13:28; 16:19–30; Acts 3:25). Instead, as the apostle Paul would write, faith in Jesus as the Savior would define God’s people (Romans 4:16–17; 9:7–8; Galatians 3:7).

The song’s conclusion invites its audience to imagine the scope of God’s work of salvation and the resulting blessing. Though Mary was considered lowly in the world’s regard, God would use her to give birth to the Christ, the actual seed through whom salvation came. Mary recognized her blessedness in this regard. She envisioned the fulfillment of God’s salvation. This would be a world where the downtrodden would be lifted up and where God’s mercy would extend to generations of people.

What Do You Think? How is Mary’s Song different from and similar to popular contemporary praise and worship songs? Digging Deeper Would Mary’s Song be appropriate for congregational worship?

Conclusion

A. Self-Exaltation or Salvation?

On special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays, we may take a moment to consider our blessings and achievements. However, this practice runs the risk of becoming an opportunity for self-exaltation; we might make God’s gifts sound like something we achieved by our own strength and power.

Today’s Scripture reminds us of the futility of self-exaltation. God will choose whom He wants to work through, regardless of the world’s perception of that person. Further, today’s Scripture also warns of what can happen when people are driven by pride and selfish desires. God will inevitably humble people who exalt themselves. If we seek salvation through our power, wealth, or acclaim, God will remove us from those positions.

Self-exaltation will not lead to salvation. In fact, it will lead a person to emptiness and an existence without God’s salvation. We have a choice.

B. Prayer

Mighty God, just as You worked in Your people throughout history, we ask that You do a mighty work in us. Show us how we might better proclaim Your salvation. Fill us with humility so that we can be attentive to You. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

C. Thought to Remember

God’s salvation lifts the lowest to the highest.

 Weatherly, Jon, et al. “Mary Rejoices.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2022–2023. Ed. Jane Ann Kenney, Ronald L. Nickelson, and Taylor Z. Stamps. Vol. 70. Colorado Springs, CO: Standard Publishing, 2022–2023. 150–151. Print. The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary.