So, Why Is Mary So Happy?

11 February 2014

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. Luke 1:48-49

not ashamed

Why was Mary so happy that she just had to sing? Because God had blessed her beyond measure. She was not ashamed of the good news of God's sovereign majesty.

The Pharisees looked for the Messiah among the rich and popular in Jerusalem. They never would have considered looking in a poor farm town for the mother of the Messiah because they had forgotten their own history. God chose Israel, from the beginning, not because they were a great nation but because they were small. God has made it a regular pattern to use the lowly and poor to do great things. This is the best way to show that it is His power and might at work and not the abilities of men.

Mary’s soul is not breaking forth into magnificent joy because she is going to be popular and famous for the entire history of man. She is stating that the evidence of how great work God has done in her is that the world will never forget her name.  She is rejoicing, not in what she has done, but what God has done to her and for her! She sings of the greatness of God alone.

I believe that last part of this sentence is included to remind us that God’s name is holy because He only does pure and holy things. The action the Holy Spirit did to Mary was pure and Holy not like the fornication of the heathen mythical gods. He did not come upon her in an sexual way. She was a virgin when the angel spoke to her. She was a virgin after the Holy Spirit came upon her. And she remained a virgin until after Jesus was born. Or else the prophecy is untrue.

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. - Isaiah 7:14

The old saying goes, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.”  This is because others may disappoint us at times. But if we are honest with ourselves, we disappoint ourselves with our lack of faith, just like Zacharias, much more.  However, the gospel does not disappoint because the gospel does not talk about what God and we did together to save ourselves. The gospel is about the finished work of Christ. It is about how God did it all for us.

When we focus on the greatness and holiness of God, it brings joy into our heart and a song to our lips!

Bryce Lowrance

Elder Bryce Lowrance

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