WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.080 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church. 00:00:05.719 --> 00:00:11.580 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, redistribution, or any other 00:00:11.580 --> 00:00:15.280 use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church. 00:00:15.640 --> 00:00:22.620 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:26.859 --> 00:00:27.940 Good morning. 00:00:27.940 --> 00:00:33.880 I'm Tonya, and I'm part of the Oikos in the Oaks small group and women reading women book club. 00:00:34.520 --> 00:00:40.740 Today's scripture reading is from the Gospel of John, chapter 1, verses 39 to 55, as printed 00:00:40.740 --> 00:00:44.700 in the liturgy, a reading from the Gospel according to Luke. 00:00:45.740 --> 00:00:51.219 At that time, Mary got ready and hurried to a hall in the hill, country of Judeo, where 00:00:51.219 --> 00:00:54.000 she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. 00:00:54.000 --> 00:00:59.579 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled 00:00:59.579 --> 00:01:00.820 with the Holy Spirit. 00:01:01.460 --> 00:01:07.200 In a loud voice, she exclaimed, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you 00:01:07.200 --> 00:01:07.840 will bear. 00:01:08.140 --> 00:01:12.060 But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 00:01:12.599 --> 00:01:18.519 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 00:01:18.519 --> 00:01:23.539 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her. 00:01:24.060 --> 00:01:31.060 And Mary said, My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for 00:01:31.060 --> 00:01:34.060 he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. 00:01:34.519 --> 00:01:40.039 From now on, all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for 00:01:40.039 --> 00:01:40.299 me. 00:01:40.719 --> 00:01:41.899 Holy is his name. 00:01:41.900 --> 00:01:46.540 His mercy extends to those who fear him from generation to generation. 00:01:47.200 --> 00:01:49.580 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm. 00:01:49.920 --> 00:01:53.020 He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 00:01:53.440 --> 00:01:57.360 He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has lifted up the humble. 00:01:57.900 --> 00:02:02.020 He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty. 00:02:02.580 --> 00:02:08.159 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, 00:02:08.640 --> 00:02:10.640 just as he promised our ancestors. 00:02:10.639 --> 00:02:12.979 This is the gospel of the Lord. 00:02:13.419 --> 00:02:15.199 Praise to you, O Christ. 00:02:16.399 --> 00:02:17.139 All right. 00:02:17.219 --> 00:02:17.719 Good morning. 00:02:19.159 --> 00:02:20.059 Am I on? 00:02:21.259 --> 00:02:22.179 Can you hear me? 00:02:22.919 --> 00:02:23.959 Okay, great. 00:02:25.099 --> 00:02:30.699 We are in this sermon series that we began last week called The Songs of Christmas. 00:02:31.919 --> 00:02:34.099 And Luke was a doctor. 00:02:34.439 --> 00:02:35.500 He was a historian. 00:02:36.060 --> 00:02:39.479 And he wrote one of the four gospels in the New Testament. 00:02:39.479 --> 00:02:45.739 And he opens this biography of Jesus with songs and with singing. 00:02:46.799 --> 00:02:51.839 And last week we heard the angel Gabriel's word in Luke chapter 1 to Mary. 00:02:52.039 --> 00:02:58.179 He says, hail Mary, you who are highly favored of the Lord. 00:02:58.239 --> 00:02:59.159 The Lord is with you. 00:02:59.159 --> 00:03:04.340 And that has been turned, of course, into a song that in Latin is called the Ave Maria. 00:03:04.719 --> 00:03:09.199 My favorite version of that is by Franz Beebel and the group Chanticleer. 00:03:09.259 --> 00:03:11.479 You can go home and listen to that hopefully later today. 00:03:12.439 --> 00:03:15.519 This morning we're going to be talking about the song of Mary. 00:03:16.139 --> 00:03:18.300 And then next week the song of Zechariah. 00:03:18.419 --> 00:03:19.579 And then the song of Simeon. 00:03:19.680 --> 00:03:22.819 And then on Christmas Eve we'll be talking about the song of the angels. 00:03:22.819 --> 00:03:29.019 And these really are the first and original Christmas carols. 00:03:29.739 --> 00:03:31.680 You probably won't hear them on the radio. 00:03:32.459 --> 00:03:34.019 You're not going to hear them in the store. 00:03:34.799 --> 00:03:39.439 But Luke puts them here at the beginning of his gospel because he wants us to know them. 00:03:40.039 --> 00:03:46.099 Because they inform our minds and they enliven our hearts about the true meaning of Christmas. 00:03:46.500 --> 00:03:48.620 There's a lot of meanings of Christmas floating around. 00:03:49.139 --> 00:03:50.439 What's the true meaning of Christmas? 00:03:50.439 --> 00:03:57.579 And Mary's song, which is called the Magnificat in Latin, it's a very special song. 00:03:57.639 --> 00:04:03.359 Because here is this young woman from a small village in rural Galilee. 00:04:03.719 --> 00:04:07.180 She has no wealth, no position, no power. 00:04:08.139 --> 00:04:11.060 And yet she gives us one of the most famous songs in Christianity. 00:04:11.319 --> 00:04:15.579 It's a song that's been set to music in hundreds of languages. 00:04:15.580 --> 00:04:27.340 It's a song that over the past two millennia has been whispered in monasteries and chanted in cathedrals and recited in small remote churches. 00:04:28.020 --> 00:04:32.740 And has resounded with trumpets and kettle drums from Johann Sebastian Bach. 00:04:33.360 --> 00:04:40.680 And again, if you have time to listen to his Magnificat in D later this afternoon, I would encourage you to do that. 00:04:40.680 --> 00:04:54.560 But here in Mary's song, which is being sung 30 weeks before Bethlehem and really 30 years before the cross of Good Friday or the empty tomb of Easter Sunday, 00:04:55.699 --> 00:04:57.960 Mary sounds out the gospel of God. 00:04:57.959 --> 00:05:04.099 And so on this second Sunday of Advent, we do well to listen to Mary. 00:05:04.759 --> 00:05:08.199 We do well to explore her amazing song. 00:05:08.239 --> 00:05:10.479 And I want to do that under three headings. 00:05:10.740 --> 00:05:17.359 To talk about the celebration of God, the character of God, and the covenant of God. 00:05:18.459 --> 00:05:24.199 Okay, so we're going to talk about the celebration of God, the character of God, and the covenant of God. 00:05:24.199 --> 00:05:28.039 First of all, let's think together about the celebration of God. 00:05:28.740 --> 00:05:30.740 In that first verse, it says in verse 39, 00:05:30.939 --> 00:05:39.500 At that time, Mary got ready and she hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. 00:05:39.759 --> 00:05:42.919 And just as a reminder of the context, here's this young woman. 00:05:43.000 --> 00:05:49.139 Her name's Mary or Miriam or Maria or any version of that that we have here even in our church. 00:05:49.139 --> 00:05:55.839 And she's just received this visit from the angel Gabriel with a message from the Lord. 00:05:56.079 --> 00:06:02.139 This word of divine revelation that God is going to do a wonderful work. 00:06:02.300 --> 00:06:05.439 That God is going to make the impossible possible. 00:06:05.819 --> 00:06:13.360 And that she, a virgin, is going to conceive a child by the power of the Holy Spirit and give birth to a son. 00:06:13.360 --> 00:06:22.259 And if that's not unbelievable enough and just doesn't cause our minds to explode, this is no ordinary son. 00:06:22.319 --> 00:06:29.800 As we heard in the passage last week, his identity is that he's the son not just of Mary, he's the son of the Most High. 00:06:30.699 --> 00:06:34.480 He's the eternally begotten, preexistent son of God. 00:06:35.420 --> 00:06:37.620 And his name is to be Jesus. 00:06:38.780 --> 00:06:41.040 A name which means Yahweh saves. 00:06:41.040 --> 00:06:42.699 Yahweh is salvation. 00:06:43.360 --> 00:06:50.199 And he, the angel Gabriel, says to Mary, he's going to reign on the throne of King David. 00:06:50.620 --> 00:06:54.860 And his kingdom will never, ever come to an end. 00:06:55.660 --> 00:06:58.500 Can you imagine being Mary and getting this message? 00:06:59.100 --> 00:06:59.780 It's unbelievable. 00:07:00.800 --> 00:07:07.259 And Mary's response, as Andrew talked about last week, is really a model of how to live by faith. 00:07:07.639 --> 00:07:09.340 She says, I am the Lord's servant. 00:07:09.500 --> 00:07:11.600 May your word to me be fulfilled. 00:07:11.600 --> 00:07:16.060 Just this simple, beautiful faith that's absolutely inspiring. 00:07:17.060 --> 00:07:18.560 But what happens next? 00:07:19.160 --> 00:07:19.320 Right? 00:07:19.400 --> 00:07:20.640 What happens after that? 00:07:21.700 --> 00:07:32.760 Well, the angel Gabriel told Mary that her older relative Elizabeth, who is barren and beyond childbearing age, is pregnant. 00:07:32.759 --> 00:07:36.159 And so Mary goes on a road trip. 00:07:36.939 --> 00:07:43.480 And she goes to see Elizabeth, the soon-to-be mother of John the baptizer. 00:07:43.480 --> 00:07:46.860 Now, the Bible doesn't tell us Mary's age. 00:07:46.860 --> 00:07:54.259 I would encourage you to imagine her as maybe 15 years old, 16, 17 years old. 00:07:54.259 --> 00:08:00.899 And she goes and she makes this trip, hoping that Elizabeth will believe her unbelievable story. 00:08:01.639 --> 00:08:05.420 And hoping that Elizabeth might give her some support and some help. 00:08:05.420 --> 00:08:10.759 And what happens when these two believers meet together? 00:08:11.379 --> 00:08:12.480 It's absolutely amazing. 00:08:12.620 --> 00:08:13.620 Mary arrives. 00:08:14.199 --> 00:08:15.100 She enters the home. 00:08:15.879 --> 00:08:25.379 And the baby in Elizabeth's womb, John the prophet, leaps for joy because the baby in Mary's womb, Jesus the Messiah, is here. 00:08:25.379 --> 00:08:29.699 And then Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:08:30.759 --> 00:08:33.700 And the Holy Spirit gives her prophetic insight. 00:08:34.439 --> 00:08:39.340 And she speaks words of prophetic truth and prophetic faith to Mary. 00:08:39.500 --> 00:08:41.059 And she says this in verse 42. 00:08:42.600 --> 00:08:44.019 In a loud voice she exclaimed, 00:08:44.019 --> 00:08:47.419 Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear. 00:08:47.980 --> 00:08:52.120 But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 00:08:52.120 --> 00:08:54.039 And then in verse 45, 00:08:54.139 --> 00:08:59.639 Blessed is she who is believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her. 00:09:00.419 --> 00:09:01.299 Think about that. 00:09:01.560 --> 00:09:06.899 Mary, at this point, has been visited by an angelic messenger. 00:09:08.240 --> 00:09:11.779 She has received a word of divine revelation. 00:09:12.860 --> 00:09:19.259 But it's not until she hears these words from Elizabeth that she begins to sing her song. 00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:20.360 Now why is that? 00:09:20.360 --> 00:09:25.800 What did she, Mary, hear from Elizabeth that made her burst into song? 00:09:27.240 --> 00:09:28.279 Well, Elizabeth says, 00:09:28.580 --> 00:09:31.860 First of all, the Lord has spoken promises to you about this child. 00:09:32.639 --> 00:09:35.620 And secondly, the child in your womb is my Lord. 00:09:37.720 --> 00:09:39.500 Filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:41.419 Elizabeth says, 00:09:41.779 --> 00:09:43.580 The Lord God promised this child. 00:09:44.399 --> 00:09:46.320 And the child is my Lord. 00:09:47.500 --> 00:09:48.519 So which is it? 00:09:48.519 --> 00:09:50.659 Is the Lord the one who promised the baby? 00:09:51.539 --> 00:09:53.439 Or is the Lord the baby? 00:09:54.299 --> 00:09:56.799 And the answer, of course, is yes. 00:09:58.139 --> 00:10:00.899 This is proto-Trinitarian theology. 00:10:02.360 --> 00:10:10.259 God the Holy Spirit reveals the truth about God the Father and God the Son through Elizabeth to Mary. 00:10:10.259 --> 00:10:12.939 And it causes the penny to drop for Mary. 00:10:13.639 --> 00:10:19.559 Then she begins to sing those words, prophetic truth and prophetic faith, back to Elizabeth. 00:10:20.220 --> 00:10:22.220 My soul rejoices. 00:10:22.319 --> 00:10:23.419 My soul magnifies. 00:10:23.559 --> 00:10:24.639 It glorifies the Lord. 00:10:24.679 --> 00:10:27.419 And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. 00:10:27.419 --> 00:10:32.939 It's this beautiful, beautiful picture of the power of a believing community. 00:10:33.979 --> 00:10:43.699 It's a beautiful picture of our need for fellowship with sisters and with brothers who will speak the truth about God by the power of the Holy Spirit to us. 00:10:43.700 --> 00:10:56.660 And the question as we come to this text is, who are the people speaking into your life with words of prophetic truth and prophetic faith that help you, like Mary, trust in the promises of God? 00:10:57.340 --> 00:10:58.540 We need each other. 00:10:58.539 --> 00:11:02.099 We deeply need each other. 00:11:02.159 --> 00:11:05.559 Because suddenly, it all comes together for Mary. 00:11:05.719 --> 00:11:14.039 All these missing pieces of the puzzle are put in place because this other believer, Elizabeth, confirms the truth for Mary. 00:11:14.159 --> 00:11:15.639 And so she bursts into song. 00:11:15.719 --> 00:11:17.879 My soul glorifies the Lord. 00:11:17.899 --> 00:11:20.539 And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. 00:11:20.539 --> 00:11:27.959 She's moved in the very depth and center of her being and begins pouring out her heart of praise and adoration to God. 00:11:28.539 --> 00:11:33.559 Which is what happens when the good news of salvation alights upon a soul. 00:11:34.819 --> 00:11:37.639 But notice that Mary is not singing alone. 00:11:38.839 --> 00:11:40.779 She's not singing off by herself. 00:11:41.399 --> 00:11:43.899 Mary's song is not just being sung to God. 00:11:44.099 --> 00:11:45.939 It's being shared with Elizabeth. 00:11:47.279 --> 00:11:50.480 Mary praised God to Elizabeth. 00:11:51.860 --> 00:11:56.879 Mary's beautiful poetic hymn is sung from one grateful soul to another. 00:11:56.879 --> 00:12:00.620 And this is something I think that we need to think about. 00:12:00.759 --> 00:12:09.179 That there's something special, deeply special about the corporate nature of our gatherings in this church and in our homes. 00:12:09.379 --> 00:12:15.519 Our shared worship experiences that bring out the reality and the significance of our words about God. 00:12:15.519 --> 00:12:20.259 The Apostle Paul says this in Colossians 3.16. 00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:20.679 He says, 00:12:20.799 --> 00:12:31.159 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms and hymns and songs from the Spirit, 00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:34.519 singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 00:12:34.519 --> 00:12:40.399 Paul says, 00:12:40.399 --> 00:12:44.199 He says, 00:12:44.200 --> 00:12:50.360 Teach and admonish one another through psalms and hymns and songs from the Spirit, 00:12:50.540 --> 00:12:54.220 even as you are singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 00:12:54.280 --> 00:13:00.759 And can you imagine how encouraging it must have been for Elizabeth to hear Mary singing? 00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:09.500 How encouraging it must have been to her faith to hear this younger believer singing this song of faith in God, 00:13:09.500 --> 00:13:15.960 even in the midst of what would certainly be for Mary a time of great difficulty and trouble. 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:23.320 You know, one of the primary ways that we can encourage and strengthen one another in the faith 00:13:23.320 --> 00:13:27.840 and spur one another on toward love and good deeds is through our singing. 00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:34.279 When we know that people around us are going through a deep and dark valley, 00:13:34.279 --> 00:13:37.220 and yet they're singing from their heart, 00:13:37.320 --> 00:13:39.340 My shepherd will supply my need. 00:13:39.500 --> 00:13:47.679 When we know that there are people sitting next to us that are persevering incredible trials and deep sorrows, 00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:48.740 and yet they're singing out, 00:13:49.080 --> 00:13:50.240 It is well with my soul. 00:13:50.299 --> 00:13:53.840 How encouraging is that for our own faith? 00:13:56.179 --> 00:13:58.360 And this is why we worked so hard to, 00:13:59.480 --> 00:14:03.799 honestly, just to dial down the volume of our musicians up here on the platform, 00:14:03.799 --> 00:14:08.599 so that we can dial up the volume of the people in the pews, 00:14:08.599 --> 00:14:15.639 and you can be encouraged by hearing the songs of your brothers and sisters singing out prophetic truth 00:14:15.639 --> 00:14:19.579 and prophetic faith from their real and messy lives. 00:14:20.599 --> 00:14:22.779 And notice that it says that Elizabeth says, 00:14:22.779 --> 00:14:26.179 She exclaimed with a loud voice to Mary. 00:14:27.179 --> 00:14:29.439 And so she exclaimed with a loud voice to Mary. 00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:31.279 How do you think Mary responded to Elizabeth? 00:14:31.419 --> 00:14:35.819 Do you think Mary sang her song in this ho-hum, quiet, unenthusiastic way? 00:14:37.659 --> 00:14:38.319 Not at all. 00:14:38.419 --> 00:14:39.980 Again and again in the Bible, 00:14:39.980 --> 00:14:44.960 the loudness and the greatness of the volume with which we sing 00:14:44.960 --> 00:14:49.139 is associated with the greatness of that which is being proclaimed 00:14:49.139 --> 00:14:50.800 and that which is being sung. 00:14:52.279 --> 00:14:55.620 And so I just want to encourage you to think about Elizabeth and Mary, 00:14:56.560 --> 00:14:58.620 this beautiful community of believers, 00:14:59.779 --> 00:15:01.500 showing us how it's done, 00:15:01.659 --> 00:15:04.639 showing us how to build one another up in the faith 00:15:04.639 --> 00:15:08.039 through prophetic truth and prophetic singing. 00:15:08.840 --> 00:15:09.759 Isn't that thrilling? 00:15:09.980 --> 00:15:12.159 I find it quite encouraging. 00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:16.700 The celebration of God, right? 00:15:17.220 --> 00:15:19.899 But this is not only about the celebration of God, 00:15:20.259 --> 00:15:22.600 it's also about the character of God. 00:15:23.539 --> 00:15:24.700 The character of God. 00:15:24.820 --> 00:15:27.060 I hear people say, 00:15:27.980 --> 00:15:29.340 particularly here in the Bay Area, 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:30.980 you hear people say this a lot, 00:15:31.060 --> 00:15:33.240 that I cannot trust the Bible 00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:36.440 because it's patriarchal 00:15:36.440 --> 00:15:38.659 and it's misogynistic. 00:15:38.659 --> 00:15:40.799 When I hear that, 00:15:40.919 --> 00:15:42.519 I struggle and I have a question, 00:15:43.319 --> 00:15:43.879 which is, 00:15:44.559 --> 00:15:47.699 are there any biographies in the ancient world 00:15:47.699 --> 00:15:50.199 that open with two women 00:15:50.199 --> 00:15:53.539 talking theology with each other? 00:15:53.539 --> 00:15:56.799 I've been studying this for a long time. 00:15:56.919 --> 00:15:58.199 I've done a deep dive. 00:15:58.319 --> 00:16:02.559 I have not yet found one example from the ancient world 00:16:02.559 --> 00:16:05.000 where this is happening. 00:16:06.179 --> 00:16:07.719 And Mary's song, 00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:12.099 it's the longest sequence of words spoken by any woman in the New Testament. 00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:16.759 And the reason it's put here in the very first chapter of the gospel 00:16:16.759 --> 00:16:22.139 is because her themes are going to be woven through the whole story 00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:25.139 and really you'll see them showing up time and time again 00:16:25.139 --> 00:16:28.620 in the preaching and teaching of her son, Jesus. 00:16:29.800 --> 00:16:33.180 And so I just want to say that Jesus is very good news for women. 00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:36.720 Ladies, that's where you should at least say amen. 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:37.920 I don't know about the guys, 00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:42.100 but Jesus Christ is the best news for women. 00:16:43.139 --> 00:16:45.940 And here you have this female theologian 00:16:45.940 --> 00:16:48.240 at the very beginning of this gospel 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:50.180 and what is she proclaiming? 00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:51.080 She says, 00:16:51.080 --> 00:17:00.879 And then she says in verse 49, 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:12.680 Now, Protestant Christians tend to not give Mary the honor that she deserves, 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:13.920 even though she says here, 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:16.700 from now on all generations will call me blessed 00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:18.180 and we should call her blessed. 00:17:18.180 --> 00:17:22.039 But on the other hand, Catholic Christians tend to elevate Mary 00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:24.460 to be someone who's like sinless 00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:25.980 and they call her the queen of heaven, 00:17:25.980 --> 00:17:27.640 even though Mary says, 00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:31.160 I'm just a humble servant rejoicing in my savior. 00:17:31.299 --> 00:17:33.080 And of course, only sinners need a savior. 00:17:34.700 --> 00:17:36.080 And so I want you to see, 00:17:36.160 --> 00:17:38.980 whether you're Protestant, Catholic, no religion whatsoever, 00:17:40.060 --> 00:17:42.440 that this song is really not about Mary. 00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:44.480 It's just a song about God. 00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:49.000 And true worship doesn't draw attention to oneself. 00:17:49.259 --> 00:17:51.140 True worship points to God. 00:17:52.360 --> 00:17:55.319 And Mary, when she contemplates the truth of the incarnation, 00:17:55.620 --> 00:18:00.319 the truth that the Lord of heaven and earth is being made flesh in her womb, 00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:05.779 and that the Son of God has left the courts of heaven 00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:08.640 to come and bring the kingdom of God and the salvation of God 00:18:08.640 --> 00:18:11.040 and the rule and the reign of God into this world, 00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:15.420 she says, my soul, the effect of that truth on my soul 00:18:15.420 --> 00:18:19.900 is that my soul glorifies or magnifies the Lord. 00:18:20.600 --> 00:18:21.120 Magnificat. 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:22.840 Right? 00:18:22.940 --> 00:18:24.820 To magnify is to make large. 00:18:25.820 --> 00:18:28.060 To magnify is to make great. 00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:33.079 And Mary's saying that each of us has the power to act as a lens 00:18:33.079 --> 00:18:38.139 by which God is made greater or lesser 00:18:38.139 --> 00:18:41.759 in the eyes and in the estimate of other people. 00:18:41.899 --> 00:18:46.879 And Mary wants God to be seen and to be known for who he truly is. 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:50.379 She wants his character to be painted on an enormous canvas 00:18:50.380 --> 00:18:54.020 in a large way that the whole world might see 00:18:54.020 --> 00:18:58.300 and bow down before God in adoration and praise. 00:19:00.020 --> 00:19:05.520 My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior. 00:19:05.580 --> 00:19:08.580 The Greek says my spirit rejoices exceedingly. 00:19:08.700 --> 00:19:09.840 My spirit exalts. 00:19:10.020 --> 00:19:11.280 My spirit boasts. 00:19:11.380 --> 00:19:14.680 My spirit is not ashamed but is in fact quite proud 00:19:14.680 --> 00:19:18.300 that the Lord is not just a Savior 00:19:18.299 --> 00:19:22.839 and he's not even just the Savior but the Lord is my Savior. 00:19:24.379 --> 00:19:26.659 Mary's eyes are not at all on herself. 00:19:27.879 --> 00:19:31.200 She's focused on who God is and what God is doing 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:33.519 which is filling her with humility. 00:19:33.799 --> 00:19:36.799 Mary is completely forgetting herself in this moment. 00:19:38.079 --> 00:19:39.460 And what is it that moves her? 00:19:39.559 --> 00:19:41.279 What makes her sing and worship? 00:19:41.379 --> 00:19:45.480 What fills her with astonishment and adoration is this. 00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:51.380 She gets insight into the inner meaning of God my Savior. 00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:53.839 Into the inner meaning of salvation 00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:57.180 and why it is that God is bringing his son 00:19:57.180 --> 00:19:59.240 through her womb into the world. 00:20:00.079 --> 00:20:01.759 And here's what she says in verse 49. 00:20:01.980 --> 00:20:04.680 For the mighty one has done great things for me. 00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:06.380 Holy is his name. 00:20:07.099 --> 00:20:09.180 His mercy extends to those who fear him 00:20:09.180 --> 00:20:11.380 from generation to generation. 00:20:11.380 --> 00:20:16.580 She says, first of all, thinking about the character of God, 00:20:16.660 --> 00:20:18.340 she says God is the mighty one. 00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:22.380 Verse 51, he performs mighty deeds with his arm. 00:20:23.300 --> 00:20:26.760 The one who powerfully created everything out of nothing. 00:20:27.780 --> 00:20:30.820 The one who saved Israel from slavery in Egypt. 00:20:31.080 --> 00:20:33.860 The one who has proven himself strong 00:20:33.860 --> 00:20:36.740 and a strong Savior on behalf of those 00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:38.060 who are weak and vulnerable. 00:20:38.059 --> 00:20:40.779 On behalf of those who are helpless and hopeless. 00:20:41.159 --> 00:20:44.019 He is demonstrating his power 00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:47.220 through this Holy Spirit-conceded, 00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:49.599 virgin-born son of God. 00:20:49.659 --> 00:20:53.779 The Almighty is showing through this child in utero 00:20:53.779 --> 00:20:58.259 the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes. 00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:01.799 And Mary says not only is his character one, 00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:03.159 he's one who is mighty, 00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:06.099 but she says his name is holy. 00:21:06.099 --> 00:21:07.359 Holy is his name. 00:21:09.439 --> 00:21:15.639 Why, Mary says, is the Lord, God my Savior, 00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:18.819 sending his son to be born in this cradle 00:21:18.819 --> 00:21:21.199 and ultimately to die on a cross? 00:21:22.359 --> 00:21:24.319 Answer, because he's holy. 00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:28.859 Because God is eternally opposite of sin. 00:21:28.980 --> 00:21:31.099 He's eternally opposed to sin. 00:21:31.179 --> 00:21:31.939 He hates sin. 00:21:31.940 --> 00:21:35.840 He made this world and he saw that it was good, 00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:37.799 it was perfect, there was nothing wrong about it, 00:21:37.840 --> 00:21:39.539 there was no blemish on it, 00:21:39.620 --> 00:21:42.259 but sin came in and evil became widespread 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:44.759 and it ruined creation and God. 00:21:45.080 --> 00:21:48.700 This holy God absolutely cannot tolerate sin. 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:53.200 And he will not leave the world as it is in sin 00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:55.320 and under the power of the evil one 00:21:55.320 --> 00:21:57.299 because his name is holy. 00:21:57.299 --> 00:22:02.039 And he must rid his creation of all that is unholy. 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:05.079 And this, by the way, is why the Lord, 00:22:05.740 --> 00:22:10.539 God, is sending his son not to be conceived by a sinner, 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:15.059 but to be conceived by this spirit that is holy 00:22:15.059 --> 00:22:17.059 because Jesus is to be holy. 00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:19.339 Jesus is utterly separated from sin. 00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:20.579 There is no sin in him. 00:22:20.680 --> 00:22:23.339 God is holy and the Son of God is holy. 00:22:23.339 --> 00:22:28.859 And Mary, magnifying the character of God, 00:22:28.959 --> 00:22:32.379 enlarging and expanding on the character of God, 00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:35.480 she says not only is he mighty and not only is he holy, 00:22:35.839 --> 00:22:37.539 but he is also merciful. 00:22:39.019 --> 00:22:42.119 Verse 50, his mercy extends to those who fear him 00:22:42.119 --> 00:22:43.959 from generation to generation. 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:47.059 Verse 54, he is remembered to be merciful. 00:22:48.659 --> 00:22:51.279 You see, if God were only the mighty one 00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:54.200 and if God were only the holy one, 00:22:54.579 --> 00:22:56.180 then none of us would be here this morning. 00:22:58.359 --> 00:23:00.319 He would have blotted all of us out. 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:04.440 He would have judged us and destroyed us already. 00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:05.980 There would be no salvation. 00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:11.460 But he is merciful and gracious. 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:15.259 And he is sending his son Jesus into the world 00:23:15.259 --> 00:23:17.039 and he's sending Jesus to the cross 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:20.799 to wipe out sin without wiping out us sinners. 00:23:22.160 --> 00:23:24.099 He's sending his son Jesus in the world 00:23:24.099 --> 00:23:25.879 not to bring judgment upon us, 00:23:25.940 --> 00:23:27.680 but to bear judgment for us. 00:23:28.700 --> 00:23:32.539 He's sending his son in the womb of the Virgin Mary 00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:36.000 to take all of our unholiness onto himself 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:39.559 and to put all of his holiness onto us. 00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:44.539 And this is why we call God a God of mercy 00:23:44.539 --> 00:23:47.299 and a God of grace toward us 00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:50.480 who are totally undeserving of this gift. 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:56.440 This is why Jesus laid aside his eternal glory. 00:23:56.579 --> 00:23:59.500 It's why he emptied himself and humbled himself 00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:02.019 and lowered himself to show us 00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:04.539 the unsearchable and boundless riches 00:24:04.539 --> 00:24:07.940 of the mercy and the grace of God toward us. 00:24:09.359 --> 00:24:10.299 And if you're here today 00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:12.279 and you're exploring Christianity, 00:24:12.579 --> 00:24:14.119 my question for you today is, 00:24:14.220 --> 00:24:15.160 have you encountered, 00:24:15.160 --> 00:24:19.080 have you truly encountered the character, 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:21.040 the authentic character of this God 00:24:21.040 --> 00:24:25.360 who is at one time mighty and holy and merciful? 00:24:26.820 --> 00:24:28.680 And how open are you 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:32.940 to letting his mercy come into your life? 00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:36.060 And if you're a Christian here today, 00:24:36.380 --> 00:24:37.560 my question for you is, 00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:40.860 is your soul bursting like Mary's soul is bursting 00:24:40.859 --> 00:24:45.079 to tell other people about how merciful your Savior is. 00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:45.939 Right? 00:24:45.979 --> 00:24:47.159 He's mighty and he's holy, 00:24:47.859 --> 00:24:48.619 but he's merciful. 00:24:50.199 --> 00:24:53.039 See, Mary, this is all about the celebration of God 00:24:53.039 --> 00:24:56.000 and it's all about the character of God. 00:24:56.919 --> 00:24:58.419 But finally, I want to point out, 00:24:58.500 --> 00:25:00.299 it's also all about the covenant of God. 00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:03.559 Mary's song is all about the covenant of God. 00:25:03.559 --> 00:25:08.579 It's striking to me the way that Mary's mind, 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:11.779 this young woman in the youth group, 00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:14.740 her mind is saturated by the scriptures. 00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:16.159 Right? 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:18.240 There are at least, we can't go into this, 00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:20.460 but there are at least 10 quotations 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:23.419 and allusions to the Bible in her song. 00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:26.480 Psalm 22, Psalm 25, Psalm 44, 00:25:27.119 --> 00:25:29.539 Psalm 89, Psalm 98, Psalm 103, 00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:32.179 Hannah's song in 1 Samuel 2, 00:25:32.180 --> 00:25:34.660 phrases from Isaiah and Job. 00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:37.840 Basically, Mary just pillages the Bible 00:25:37.840 --> 00:25:42.440 to come up with words of praise to give back to God. 00:25:42.820 --> 00:25:44.900 Clearly, she had a dad, she had a mom, 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:46.420 she had teachers, she had mentors 00:25:46.420 --> 00:25:50.180 who encouraged her to soak in and memorize the scriptures 00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:52.340 so that when this moment came, 00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:56.920 you know, when the moment of truth comes in your life, 00:25:57.019 --> 00:25:57.460 you're ready. 00:25:57.460 --> 00:26:02.240 You're prepared to express the truth about God 00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:05.079 and that out of the abundance of your heart, 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:06.259 your mouth just speaks 00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:08.860 and she's able to articulate herself 00:26:08.860 --> 00:26:10.600 in the language of the Bible. 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:14.680 It's one of the great evidences of God's grace in our lives 00:26:14.680 --> 00:26:16.519 is our love for his word 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:19.840 and Mary has an evidence of that grace in her life. 00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:22.259 And so she says this, 00:26:22.759 --> 00:26:24.220 I mean, what teenager says this? 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:25.339 In verse 54, 00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:28.140 he has helped his servant Israel, 00:26:29.140 --> 00:26:31.079 remembering to be merciful to Abraham 00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:32.960 and his descendants forever 00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:35.339 just as he promised to our ancestors. 00:26:36.940 --> 00:26:39.539 What Mary says there is that God is not only mighty 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:41.100 and he's not only holy 00:26:41.100 --> 00:26:42.480 and he's not only merciful, 00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:43.779 but he's also faithful 00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:46.700 to his covenant promises that he made 00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:49.240 to Abraham and to his people. 00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:51.839 And I want you to hear this, 00:26:51.900 --> 00:26:53.839 that Mary sees herself 00:26:53.839 --> 00:26:55.440 and she sees her life 00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:58.620 as part of a larger story. 00:26:59.839 --> 00:26:59.940 Right? 00:27:00.039 --> 00:27:01.359 Mary's sense of identity 00:27:01.359 --> 00:27:03.599 and her sense of belonging, 00:27:04.839 --> 00:27:05.980 Mary's sense of meaning 00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:07.359 and her sense of purpose 00:27:07.359 --> 00:27:10.980 is not rooted and grounded in herself. 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:13.859 It's not at all rooted and grounded 00:27:13.859 --> 00:27:15.019 in her inner world 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:17.880 and her sense of autonomous individuality. 00:27:17.880 --> 00:27:20.060 No, she is anchored 00:27:20.060 --> 00:27:20.840 and she's centered 00:27:20.840 --> 00:27:21.840 on the promises 00:27:21.840 --> 00:27:24.080 that God has made to his people. 00:27:25.340 --> 00:27:27.040 You think about that mother promise 00:27:27.040 --> 00:27:28.360 in Genesis 3.15, 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:31.020 right, where God promises, 00:27:31.160 --> 00:27:31.420 he says, 00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:32.460 I'm going to send the offspring 00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:33.640 of the woman 00:27:33.640 --> 00:27:36.500 and he's going to be terribly wounded 00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:38.140 and yet he's going to crush 00:27:38.140 --> 00:27:39.240 the head of the serpent. 00:27:40.540 --> 00:27:43.440 You think about Genesis 12 to 22, 00:27:43.760 --> 00:27:44.960 these great promises 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:46.240 that God gave to Abraham 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:46.980 and his people 00:27:46.980 --> 00:27:49.559 that they would be like the stars 00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:50.299 in the sky 00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:52.220 and the sand of the seashore. 00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:53.660 They'd be unable, 00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:54.920 you'd be unable to count them. 00:27:54.980 --> 00:27:56.059 There'd be so many of them 00:27:56.059 --> 00:27:57.400 and that through Abraham 00:27:57.400 --> 00:27:58.480 and through his family, 00:27:59.240 --> 00:28:01.039 blessing would flow out 00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:02.539 to all the nations of the world. 00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:05.559 When Mary's singing about this promise, 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:08.039 it's a 2,000-year-old promise. 00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:10.819 Mary's read all the prophets. 00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:12.740 She's thinking about all those promises 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:14.319 that God made through the prophets 00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:15.679 to send his Messiah 00:28:15.679 --> 00:28:17.700 to come and to redeem his people. 00:28:17.799 --> 00:28:18.919 And Mary, in this moment, 00:28:19.299 --> 00:28:21.759 she sees that what is happening to her 00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:24.139 and what is happening through her son 00:28:24.139 --> 00:28:25.579 is all about the God 00:28:25.579 --> 00:28:28.200 who makes and keeps his promises. 00:28:30.139 --> 00:28:30.559 And friends, 00:28:30.700 --> 00:28:33.179 that's what healthy spirituality is, 00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:35.179 is about trusting in the promises of God. 00:28:36.200 --> 00:28:38.059 We walk by faith, yes, 00:28:38.059 --> 00:28:41.159 but our faith leans on God's promises 00:28:41.159 --> 00:28:44.240 and all of his promises can bear 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:46.379 all the weight that we put upon them. 00:28:48.159 --> 00:28:50.519 Like Mary, we can lean on them confidently 00:28:50.519 --> 00:28:52.059 because our covenant God 00:28:52.059 --> 00:28:53.919 in his covenant faithfulness 00:28:53.919 --> 00:28:56.639 will do all that he said he will do, 00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:59.359 even if we have to wait 2,000 years 00:28:59.359 --> 00:29:01.460 for him to bring things to completion 00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:02.519 and fulfillment. 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:05.259 And you see, 00:29:05.379 --> 00:29:06.799 when Mary read the prophets, 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.460 when Mary read her Bible, 00:29:09.559 --> 00:29:12.900 when Mary read about all those covenant promises 00:29:12.900 --> 00:29:15.000 that God made about his Messiah 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:17.639 coming to redeem his people, 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:22.000 she got this picture of total reversal. 00:29:23.339 --> 00:29:24.119 She read her Bible 00:29:24.119 --> 00:29:25.920 and she saw this picture of God 00:29:25.920 --> 00:29:28.319 turning everything upside down. 00:29:28.500 --> 00:29:30.759 She knew that when God sent his Messiah, 00:29:30.759 --> 00:29:33.059 the exalted would be humbled 00:29:33.059 --> 00:29:35.839 and the humble would be exalted. 00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:37.019 And unsurprisingly, 00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:40.859 this is exactly what Mary says in verse 51. 00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:44.920 He has scattered those who are proud 00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:46.059 in their inmost thoughts. 00:29:47.099 --> 00:29:49.619 He has brought down rulers from their thrones, 00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:51.720 but has lifted up the humble. 00:29:52.579 --> 00:29:54.379 He has filled the hungry with good things, 00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:57.720 but he has sent the rich away empty. 00:29:57.720 --> 00:30:00.920 He has helped his servant Israel, 00:30:01.059 --> 00:30:03.140 remembering to be merciful. 00:30:05.339 --> 00:30:06.839 Mary asks this question. 00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:07.319 She says, 00:30:07.620 --> 00:30:10.380 who is it who will be scattered completely 00:30:10.380 --> 00:30:12.539 until there's nothing left? 00:30:14.039 --> 00:30:15.860 Who is it that will be brought down? 00:30:15.980 --> 00:30:18.279 Who is it that will be sent away empty? 00:30:19.779 --> 00:30:22.519 It's people who are proud 00:30:22.519 --> 00:30:23.620 in their inmost thoughts, 00:30:23.619 --> 00:30:26.239 people who say to themselves, 00:30:26.459 --> 00:30:27.239 I am sufficient, 00:30:27.519 --> 00:30:28.979 I am complete in myself, 00:30:29.099 --> 00:30:30.399 I do not need God. 00:30:31.799 --> 00:30:32.439 Mary says, 00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:34.199 if you are proud about your position, 00:30:34.359 --> 00:30:35.879 if you're proud about your power, 00:30:37.059 --> 00:30:37.439 she says, 00:30:37.479 --> 00:30:38.779 if you're full of yourself, 00:30:39.319 --> 00:30:41.559 you're going to be sent away empty. 00:30:42.839 --> 00:30:44.099 If you exalt yourself, 00:30:44.159 --> 00:30:44.539 she says, 00:30:44.559 --> 00:30:46.039 you are going to be humbled. 00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:49.179 But then Mary asks the question, 00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:49.559 she says, 00:30:49.619 --> 00:30:51.439 who is it that will be lifted up? 00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:53.660 Who is it that will be filled? 00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:55.160 Who is it that will be helped? 00:30:56.240 --> 00:30:58.620 She says it's the humble and the hungry. 00:30:59.620 --> 00:31:01.660 It's people whose need, 00:31:02.660 --> 00:31:04.759 people whose poverty of spirit 00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:07.620 and desperation is driving them to God, 00:31:07.880 --> 00:31:10.299 driving them to put their faith in God, 00:31:10.400 --> 00:31:12.039 driving them to fear God. 00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:14.360 It's people like Elizabeth. 00:31:14.700 --> 00:31:15.440 It's people like Mary. 00:31:16.160 --> 00:31:17.340 These women with no wealth, 00:31:17.460 --> 00:31:18.080 no position, 00:31:18.220 --> 00:31:18.860 no power, 00:31:18.859 --> 00:31:21.139 the most unlikely people 00:31:21.139 --> 00:31:23.399 in terms of the power structures 00:31:23.399 --> 00:31:24.159 of this world, 00:31:24.699 --> 00:31:25.299 Mary says, 00:31:25.779 --> 00:31:26.639 if you're exalted, 00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:28.000 you're going to be humbled. 00:31:28.359 --> 00:31:29.139 And if you're humble, 00:31:29.419 --> 00:31:30.859 you're going to be exalted. 00:31:32.219 --> 00:31:33.679 Blessed are the poor in spirit, 00:31:33.819 --> 00:31:34.759 for they're going to receive 00:31:34.759 --> 00:31:35.699 the kingdom of heaven. 00:31:36.959 --> 00:31:37.919 Blessed are the meek, 00:31:37.979 --> 00:31:38.740 for they're going to inherit 00:31:38.740 --> 00:31:39.699 the whole earth. 00:31:40.899 --> 00:31:42.099 Blessed are those who are hungry 00:31:42.099 --> 00:31:43.759 and thirsty for righteousness, 00:31:43.939 --> 00:31:45.419 because they are the ones 00:31:45.419 --> 00:31:46.839 who are going to be filled. 00:31:46.839 --> 00:31:48.599 God uses the humble. 00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:50.139 God uses the lowly. 00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:51.819 God uses the weak things 00:31:51.819 --> 00:31:52.720 of this world 00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:54.019 to show his power. 00:31:56.639 --> 00:31:58.000 And when the King of Kings 00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:58.980 and the Lord of Lords 00:31:58.980 --> 00:32:01.359 came into this world, 00:32:01.439 --> 00:32:02.119 how did he come? 00:32:02.159 --> 00:32:03.599 He came humble. 00:32:04.639 --> 00:32:06.899 He came into a lowly girl 00:32:06.899 --> 00:32:07.819 from Nazareth. 00:32:08.519 --> 00:32:09.879 He came into a stable 00:32:09.879 --> 00:32:11.319 and a feeding trough for animals. 00:32:12.819 --> 00:32:13.159 Right? 00:32:13.179 --> 00:32:14.240 When God sent his son 00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:15.139 to save humanity, 00:32:15.140 --> 00:32:15.820 how did he come? 00:32:15.880 --> 00:32:17.640 He came as a vulnerable baby. 00:32:17.820 --> 00:32:19.340 He came as an ordinary 00:32:19.340 --> 00:32:20.400 blue-collar worker. 00:32:20.540 --> 00:32:21.940 He came as a man 00:32:21.940 --> 00:32:23.200 nailed to a cross. 00:32:23.240 --> 00:32:24.380 He came humble. 00:32:25.880 --> 00:32:27.580 And he was totally reversing 00:32:27.580 --> 00:32:28.660 everything we thought 00:32:28.660 --> 00:32:30.060 about the way the world worked. 00:32:30.140 --> 00:32:31.120 He was totally turning 00:32:31.120 --> 00:32:32.520 our value structures 00:32:32.520 --> 00:32:33.740 upside down. 00:32:35.020 --> 00:32:35.940 And all the people 00:32:35.940 --> 00:32:36.720 who were proud 00:32:36.720 --> 00:32:37.980 in their inmost thoughts, 00:32:38.540 --> 00:32:40.100 they did not recognize 00:32:40.100 --> 00:32:40.960 the truth when it was 00:32:40.960 --> 00:32:41.900 standing incarnate 00:32:41.900 --> 00:32:42.880 before their eyes. 00:32:42.880 --> 00:32:45.700 And even today, 00:32:45.820 --> 00:32:46.820 in spite of ample 00:32:46.820 --> 00:32:48.120 historical evidence 00:32:48.120 --> 00:32:49.880 for the resurrection 00:32:49.880 --> 00:32:50.420 of Jesus, 00:32:50.580 --> 00:32:51.380 in spite of the ample 00:32:51.380 --> 00:32:52.840 historical evidence 00:32:52.840 --> 00:32:53.760 for the reliability 00:32:53.760 --> 00:32:54.700 of the New Testament, 00:32:54.880 --> 00:32:55.700 many, many people 00:32:55.700 --> 00:32:57.240 who are proud 00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:58.180 in their inmost thoughts 00:32:58.180 --> 00:32:58.980 would rather trust 00:32:58.980 --> 00:32:59.660 in themselves 00:32:59.660 --> 00:33:01.880 rather than trusting 00:33:01.880 --> 00:33:02.500 in their maker 00:33:02.500 --> 00:33:04.540 and the one he sent 00:33:04.540 --> 00:33:05.380 for our salvation. 00:33:05.380 --> 00:33:05.480 salvation. 00:33:07.380 --> 00:33:08.440 And Mary poses 00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:09.120 this question 00:33:09.120 --> 00:33:11.080 to all who would 00:33:11.080 --> 00:33:11.720 listen to her. 00:33:13.060 --> 00:33:13.460 She says, 00:33:13.560 --> 00:33:14.220 do you want to receive 00:33:14.220 --> 00:33:14.680 mercy? 00:33:15.860 --> 00:33:16.880 Or do you want to be 00:33:16.880 --> 00:33:17.840 scattered completely 00:33:17.840 --> 00:33:18.540 and brought down 00:33:18.540 --> 00:33:19.420 and sent away empty? 00:33:21.480 --> 00:33:22.720 Mary of Nazareth, 00:33:23.720 --> 00:33:25.260 this little amazing 00:33:25.260 --> 00:33:26.820 woman of faith, 00:33:27.020 --> 00:33:28.080 this mother of our Lord, 00:33:28.820 --> 00:33:29.900 she invites us 00:33:29.900 --> 00:33:30.920 and she challenges us. 00:33:30.980 --> 00:33:31.380 She says, 00:33:31.520 --> 00:33:33.120 surrender your pride. 00:33:33.400 --> 00:33:34.180 Surrender your pride 00:33:34.180 --> 00:33:35.220 to God today. 00:33:36.900 --> 00:33:37.420 Fear him. 00:33:38.920 --> 00:33:39.700 Humble yourself 00:33:39.700 --> 00:33:40.400 before him. 00:33:41.360 --> 00:33:42.580 And he will exalt you. 00:33:43.680 --> 00:33:44.820 He will lift you up. 00:33:45.779 --> 00:33:46.620 He will fill you. 00:33:47.539 --> 00:33:48.400 He will help you. 00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:50.180 He will save you. 00:33:51.400 --> 00:33:53.060 My soul glorifies 00:33:53.060 --> 00:33:53.500 the Lord, 00:33:53.600 --> 00:33:54.060 she says. 00:33:55.140 --> 00:33:56.500 My spirit rejoices 00:33:56.500 --> 00:33:57.080 in God, 00:33:58.039 --> 00:33:58.720 my Savior. 00:34:00.120 --> 00:34:00.620 Oh, 00:34:00.680 --> 00:34:01.240 that we would sing 00:34:01.240 --> 00:34:01.840 that song 00:34:01.840 --> 00:34:02.960 with Mary. 00:34:04.279 --> 00:34:04.860 In the name of the 00:34:04.860 --> 00:34:05.080 Father, 00:34:05.240 --> 00:34:05.320 Son, 00:34:05.340 --> 00:34:05.980 and Holy Spirit. 00:34:06.860 --> 00:34:07.100 Amen. 00:34:08.780 --> 00:34:08.960 Amen. 00:34:08.960 --> 00:34:09.000 Amen. 00:34:09.019 --> 00:34:09.180 Amen. 00:34:09.180 --> 00:34:09.420 Amen. 00:34:09.420 --> 00:34:11.360 Amen. 00:34:11.360 --> 00:34:11.539 Amen. 00:34:11.539 --> 00:34:13.380 Amen. 00:34:14.000 --> 00:34:14.139 Amen. 00:34:14.159 --> 00:34:14.940 Amen. 00:34:17.539 --> 00:34:18.539 Amen. 00:34:18.539 --> 00:34:18.980 Amen. 00:34:18.980 --> 00:34:19.059 Amen. 00:34:19.720 --> 00:34:19.820 Amen. 00:34:19.820 --> 00:34:21.200 Amen. 00:34:21.200 --> 00:34:21.800 Amen. 00:34:22.139 --> 00:34:22.280 Amen. 00:34:23.280 --> 00:34:25.300 Amen. 00:34:25.300 --> 00:34:25.500 Amen. 00:34:33.480 --> 00:34:34.159 Amen.