Luke 1:26-56

Luke 1:26. And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

It was by the temptation of an evil angel that man fell, and Paradise was lost, it was, therefore, most appropriate that good angels should be sent to announce the coming of the Restorer, through whom Paradise is regained: «Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth.» Christ's coming to earth must be announced in the lowliest of cities, and he must be born in the small Judaean town of Bethlehem; but it was also decreed that he must die at Jerusalem, in the metropolitan city. Mark the simplicity, and yet the sublimity, of the arrangement by which the meek and lowly Saviour was to be born in our nature. The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a virgin, whose name was Mary.

Luke 1:28. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

The best of news may sometimes cause the greatest perturbation of mind and heart. If you feel troubled when you receive a message from God do not be astonished, as though some strange thing had happened unto you. See how Mary, who was told that she was to receive the greatest honour and favor possible to a mortal being, was troubled by the angel's speech, perplexed by his extraordinary salutation.

Luke 1:30. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.

If we have found favor with God, there is no cause for us to fear. If God is gracious to us, we are raised above all reason for alarm. Some court the fickle favor of men; but, even if they gain it, they may well fear that they may shortly lose it, but the angel said, «Fear not, Mary; for thou hast found favor with God;» and having found that favor, she would never lose it.

Luke 1:31. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great,

How true is that prophecy; «He shall be great.» Christ is the greatest of all great ones. How great he is in our esteem! The tongues of men and of angels could not tell all his greatness. «He shall be great,»

Luke 1:32. And shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elizabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.

It seemed meet that the gospel dispensation should thus begin with two great wonders. The age of wonders has opened upon us now that the day of grace has dawned. Now shall the barren woman keep house, and be the joyful mother of children, according to the ancient prophecy.

Luke 1:38. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.

Oh, that we all had such a spirit of submission as she had, that we might be willing to place ourselves absolutely at God's disposal, for him to do with us as he pleased!

Luke 1:38. And the angel of the Lord departed from her.

His mission was accomplished, so he might go back to the glory from which he had come at God's command.

Luke 1:39. And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah; and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

The most gracious people are always the most humble people. This question of Elizabeth, «Whence is this to me?» has been one that we have often put concerning ourselves. She was the older woman of the two, but she felt herself highly honoured by this visit from her younger relative, whom the Lord had so wondrously favored. It is well when Christian people have a high regard for one another, and think less of themselves than they do of others whom God has especially favored. It is one of the traits in the character of God's true people, that they have this mind in them; while they who think themselves great prove that they are not the Lord's. If you think much of yourself, he thinks little of you.

Luke 1:44. For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed:

Not only Mary, who believed the angel's message, and was therefore blessed; but every one of us, who believes in God, may share in this benediction.

Luke 1:45. For there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. And Mary said,

This humble Jewish maiden was a woman of great natural ability. This song of hers is worthy to be sung throughout all ages. It is true that it is mainly taken from the song of Hannah, and other songs of devout persons in former ages; but this shows how Mary had studied the Word of God, and laid it up in her heart. The best preparation that you young people can have for the highest honour and service in your future life is to bathe frequently in the Word of God, and to perfume your whole life by a familiar and accurate acquaintance with Scripture truth. Nothing else can make you so pure, or so prepared for all service which God may yet have for you to perform.

Luke 1:46. My soul doth magnify the Lord,

That is a good beginning. Mary does not magnify herself in her Magnificat, she has nothing to say concerning her own dignity, though she was of a noble lineage; but she sang, «My soul doth magnify the Lord,»

Luke 1:47. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

She needed a Saviour as much as we do, for she was a sinner like ourselves; and though she was blessed among women, she here indicates that she owed all that blessedness to the grace of God, who had become a Saviour to her, as well as to us.

Luke 1:48. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden:

The family from which Mary sprang had become poor, and she dwelt in lowliness at Nazareth.

Luke 1:48. 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.

She was indeed a blessed woman to have such holy thoughts, such reverence for God, such a true idea of his might and majesty, and of the marvellous favor which he had shown to her.

Luke 1:50. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

Remember this, it was not mercy to Mary only; it was mercy to us, and mercy to all, who truly trust the Saviour in whom she trusted.

Luke 1:51. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

Sometimes, we read of God's «finger,» That refers to a part of his great power. At other times, we read of his «hand.» That is a more brilliant display of his power. But here, as elsewhere, we read of his «arm.» This is the majesty of his omnipotence. Pharaoh's magicians told the king that it was the finger of God that wrought the plagues of Egypt, but it was with his outstretched arm that he divided the Red Sea, and overthrew Pharaoh and his hosts: Mary felt that, in the work of salvation we see God's arm; not merely his finger, or his hand.

Luke 1:52. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

This is what God is constantly doing, casting down the high and mighty ones, and lifting up the meek and lowly.

Luke 1:53. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

They who are self-satisfied shall sooner or later be cast out; but those who look to God alone, and are hungry after him, shall be satisfied with his favor.

Luke 1:54. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy: As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. And Mary abode with her about three months and returned to her own house.