“And Mary said: ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed…’” (Luke 1:46-48)
In 2014, the above-named highly popular Christmas song was released. I don’t believe the songwriter intended this to be a personal address to Mary. Rather, I think these lyrics paint a poet’s picture of what may have gone through Mary’s mind. So, let’s see what the authoritative Scripture actually records of Mary’s words – – (They are found in Luke 1:26-38, 46-55):
I. In the first place, she considered herself to be A MORTAL SINNER (1:47)
A. Obviously she was mortal because she died almost 2000 years ago.
B. Only sinners need the Savior, and she recognized herself to be a sinner!
C. The Bible says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
(Romans 3:23), thus the “all” would have to include Mary (and all of us as
well)!
II. In the second place, she considered herself to be A MERE SERVANT (1:48)
A. The Greek word for “maidservant” is doulos, which speaks of a servant or
slave (Luke 1:38, 48)!
B. Although she would be favored and blest (Luke 1:28, 30, 48), that in no
wise means she would be deified! She, being a mortal sinner and a mere
servant would never be God. (Although she gave birth to Jesus, she gave
birth to His human body, not to His being or beginning). The writer of
Hebrews 10:5 puts it this way: “Therefore when He (Jesus) came into
the world, He said: … a body You (God) have prepared for Me.” Jesus has
always been – – eternal (John 8:58)! He never began an existence. Thus,
Christmas speaks of His incarnation – – taking on a human body so He
could identify with sinful mankind; yet He Himself was without sin!
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