Our Response To The Light (1 Samuel 2:1-10, Luke 1:39-56)
Rev. William L. Barron, December 26, 2021Part of the Morning Worship at North Greenville Church series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Mary and Elizabeth were distant cousins. Both received a visitation from the angel Gabriel, announcing that they were to bear children. This was remarkable, because Elizabeth was barren, and Mary did not yet have a husband. Mary went to visit Elizabeth shortly after, and the baby in Elizabeth's womb leaped for joy. He was named John, and Mary's baby would be Jesus, the Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth, knowing this, was blessed by Mary's presence. She was not jealous and expressed pure joy. In our time, we should likewise express pure joy at Jesus' coming because of who He is. We should reject the way the culture scorns the truth of the Incarnation. Elizabeth praised Mary for trusting in God, withstanding the scorn and condemnation of her community for her premarital pregnancy. Elizabeth rejoices in a greater miracle than her own. Mary had responded to the angel visitation with trust and submission, and then with worship. Submission to God always leads to worship. In this, we see God's majesty and also our low estate. We see our humble place and then worship Him for His blessings bestowed upon us. Prayer is submission, and His Word is direction. Mary saw it as an honor to be chosen to serve Jesus; it should be the same for us. God sends us blessings; they are not only for us, but also for the good of the church. Mary focused on God, who is mercy and strength, and not on herself. She praised God for what He was going to do. Mary understood the workings of God in the Incarnation. As with Mary, God often turns our lives upside down. Yet, God exalts the humble and humbles the proud. We must count our blessings and give thanks to God for His grace and mercy.
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « We Are The Light To The World | None | Christ Or Judgment » |
1 Samuel 2:1–10 (Listen)
2:1 And Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the LORD;
my horn is exalted in the LORD.
My mouth derides my enemies,
because I rejoice in your salvation.
2 “There is none holy like the LORD:
for there is none besides you;
there is no rock like our God.
3 Talk no more so very proudly,
let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the LORD is a God of knowledge,
and by him actions are weighed.
4 The bows of the mighty are broken,
but the feeble bind on strength.
5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.
The barren has borne seven,
but she who has many children is forlorn.
6 The LORD kills and brings to life;
he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
7 The LORD makes poor and makes rich;
he brings low and he exalts.
8 He raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s,
and on them he has set the world.
9 “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness,
for not by might shall a man prevail.
10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces;
against them he will thunder in heaven.
The LORD will judge the ends of the earth;
he will give strength to his king
and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
(ESV)
Luke 1:39–56 (Listen)
39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
(ESV)