Third Presbyterian Sunday Morning Bible Study - December 5, 2021

Below is the Bible Study written by Jim Rudiger for his Sunday School Class which meets at Third Presbyterian Church, Norfolk, Virginia. It's based on Luke 1:46-56.

What romantic songs helped you out on dates? There were so many romantic songs when I was dating Jackie, like “Tennessee Waltz”, “I’d Like to Get You on a Slow Boat to China” and “Moon River.” Guys could always depend on a romantic song to soften up his date. I can’t imagine warming a gal up now a days with a rap song like, “I’m Gonna Git Ya, Sucka.” We had Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Andy Williams and Patti Page setting romantic moods for us. What were your favorite love songs?

Of course, I couldn’t allow Andy Williams set the tone for a romantic evening with Jackie alone. I had to serenade Jackie myself. I would tell her to close her eyes and I’d sing with all the passion and tenderness I could muster. Her eyes didn't remain closed very long when I began to warble:

Oh what a time I had with Minnie the Mermaid,

Down at the bottom of the sea.

Now I found out that Minnie

Was so very skinny

Every time she sat upon my knee.

And every night when the star fish came out

I’d hug her and kiss her and gosh, Oh, gee, Oh

Oh what a time I had with Minnie the Mermaid

Down in our seaweed bungalow- Oh - Oh - Oh

Down at the bottom of the sea.

I’ll tell you guys, after that song, she was putty in my hands. Unfortunately, kissing putty wasn’t the same as kissing Jackie. Did you know that love songs even occur in the Bible? The most famous is Solomon’s love song. In today’s study, Mary composes a love song to God. But before we get to that, let's review what happened last week.

Mary was all by herself, maybe, running an errand for her mom. A twelve-year-old girl hurrying to Food Lion to pick up a loaf of bread, when all of the sudden a stranger stops her and calls her by name, “Mary”. He tells her that he is the angel Gabriel, and she has won favor with God and that she will have a special little boy child. Isn't that a lot for a twelve-year-old to deal with?

“Who me? You’ve got the wrong girl”, said Mary. Gabriel shook his head. “This is Nazareth in Galilee, isn't it? You are Mary who's going to marry Joseph the carpenteraren't you?” Mary is shocked that Gabriel knows so much about her. She looks down watching her toes cut lines in the dusty ground as she answers, “Yes. That’s who I am.” Gabriel puffs up a bit and says, “Then you are the one God has chosen.”

Mary looks Gabriel in the eye, “And when is this supposed to happen? Let me think. The wedding is set for spring. That means that I won’t have a baby at the least nine months after Joseph and I get married. You’re saying that it will be sometime, maybe, next winter?”

“No, Mary. Not next winter. Very soon you will feel different because there will be a baby growing in your body. Before anybody expects, that baby will be born.”

“And you say this baby will be special, more than my sister’s little Abe who is cute as a button, and we all love so much? You're saying I’m going to have a special boy like little Abe?” Gabriel shakes his head and answers, “Look, Mary. Every baby is special, but your son will be known as the Son of God.” Mary shakes her head, “How can that be? I'm so young and I've never known a man.” Gabriel counters with the showstopper, “Nothing is impossible with God.” Mary put her hands on her hips and tells Gabriel, “OK. I don’t understand; but if God wants me to have this miracle baby, then I’m ready.”

After that Mary went to visit Elizabeth, her cousin, who Gabriel had said was going to have a special little boy herself. When Mary walked into Elizabeth’s house, Elizabeth’s baby jumped in her womb, and she declared that Mary was pregnant. That’s where we left off last week.

Scripture doesn’t tell us what happened next, but I would imagine that Elizabeth wanted Mary to tell her everything. As soon as Zachariah got home from the temple, they would sit down and hear Mary’s story. When Zachariah got home, Mary noticed that he was awfully quiet. Only Elizabeth was asking the questions. Like, what did the angel look like? Did he have a name? Why did he come to you, Mary? After telling her story, Mary must have asked why Zachariah was so silent. Had they had an argument or something? Then Elizabeth told Mary what had happened to them.

Mary must have known that Zachariah was a direct descendant of Aaron the first priest and being a direct descendant, he was automatically a priest. All priests had to marry only 100% pure Jewish women. Not only was his wife, Elizabeth 100% Jewish, but she was also a descendant of Aaron, too.

At that time there were about 20,000 priests in Judea. So, for most ordinary things, there was a glut of priests. What they did was to divide all of the priests up into 24 groups each group having 850 priests. This meant that one group would serve for a week twice a year. The group would be responsible for the sacrifices for that week. There wasn’t any need for 850 priests filling the temple every day, so what they did was to draw lots for which ones of the 850 priests were to serve that week. It was believed that God influenced the lots so that God got the priests he wanted. Before the morning and evening sacrifices, incense would be burned so that the sacrifice that would be made, would rise up to God wrapped in a sweet-smelling cloud.

After the sacrifice a priest would go in and offer to God the prayers of the people. People would flock around the priest going in, asking for their prayers to be given to God. When the priest came out, he would declare a blessing and tell the people that God had heard all of their prayers. It may be that a priest would serve in the temple only once in a lifetime. So when he had the winning lottery ticket it would be the greatest thing that would ever happen to him.

On this particular day, Zachariah was the lottery winner. Zachariah had not had the most stellar priestly career. His wife, Elizabeth, was getting past the time for having children and they remained childless. I’m sure Zachariah felt the whispers behind his back as his fellow priests shook their heads and discussed that Zachariah must have really messed up to displease God so much he withheld children for Zachariah. On the greatest day of his life, Zachariah must have wondered why God had directed the lottery to pick him when he fell so far short of meeting the requirements for being a good priest.

He was dressed in his priestly robes as he carried the incense through the crowd. They moved aside and bowed their heads in respect as Zachariah approached the curtain dividing the Court of the Priests from the outer court. Only a priest chosen for the sacrifice duty could enter the Court of the Priests. Zachariah was nervous as he pushed the curtain aside and stepped inside. It was dark as he made his way to the Table of Incense. The smoke and sweet odor of the incense filled the room. Zachariah had waited a long time to have this opportunity. He was going to make the most of it and do everything just right. Now, the Court of the Priests is outside of the Holy of Holies, the place where God dwelt. Zachariah must have thought that just on the other side of that sheer curtain was the mighty God of Israel. With his hands shaking, he placed the incense in the bowl.

Suddenly he became aware that he wasn’t alone. Have you ever sensed that there was someone watching you? He looked back at the entrance to the Court to see if another priest had entered possibly to yank him out as being unfit to perform such an important job. But there is nobody there. The curtain is still pulled shut. When he looked back, there standing to the right of the table of incense was a man. He wasn’t dressed as a priest. "What’s a civilian doing in here? Only priests are permitted in here," Zachariah was thinking. But there was something special about this man. All around him there seemed to be a glow, a glow that lit even the darkest corners of the room. Zachariah was getting really scared now.

This was no ordinary man. "Oh, no" exclaimed Zachariah," Is it God? Did I do something so wrong that God came out of the Holy of Holies to fuss with me? Remember, Jews believed that anyone who saw God would be struck dead right on the spot. The man saw how afraid Zachariah was and spoke in a quiet calm voice telling him not to be afraid. That might be easier said than done. I think being afraid is exactly where I would have been right then. He tells Zachariah that his prayer had been heard and that he will be a father. That tells us a little bit more about Zachariah. When he entered the Court of the Priests with all the prayers that the people had given him, he also had a prayer of his own. He probably thought that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to ask God to give him the thing he wanted most of all, a son. Now the man goes on to tell him that he will not only have a son but that this will be a special son. He will do great things and will prepare the world for the Lord.

Now this is exactly what Zachariah had been praying for. In fact he was going to have a son better than he had ever hoped for. A miracle chid. Not so much that he will be born when Zachariah and Elizabeth are old, but, a son who was destined for great things. Based on the fact that Zachariah entered the Court of the Priests praying over and over, “Let Elizabeth get pregnant” how does he react when the angel tells him that his prayers will come to pass? “How do I know that you’re telling me the truth?”

The angel must have looked at Zachariah with disbelief in his eyes. Here is Zachariah who has been bending God’s ear for years about having a son and when I tell him God is answering his prayers, he wants proof. Well if Zachariah wants proof then he’ll get it. The angel identifies himself. Who do you think it was? Gabriel. He isn’t a bottom of the ladder angel. He is the head angel and being a priest, Zachariah should know all about how important Gabriel is. But that still isn’t proof enough for Zachariah. Any old angel could claim to be the boss. Gabriel says, “All right you asked for it. As proof, Zachariah, you will be struck dumb right here on the spot. You won’t be able to speak until your son is born.” Why couldn’t Zachariah apologize or make an excuse? He couldn’t talk.

The people standing around the entrance to the Court of the Priests were beginning to wonder what was going on in there. It sure was taking Zachariah a long time to get the incense going. Then all of the sudden the curtain parts and a shaking pale Zachariah staggers out. He held up his hand and the people quieted down waiting for the customary blessing. But Zachariah just stood there waving his arms. His lips were a moving, but nothing was coming out. Kind of like a politician. Then from in the midst of the crowd, someone shouted out that Zachariah had seen a vision. They turned to a trembling Zachariah and asked him if this is what had happened to him in there. He slowly nodded his head as he moved through the crowd and out of the Temple complex.

Zachariah was moving as quickly as his priestly robes allowed as he nearly ran home. He had to tell Elizabeth what had happened. What the angel said about having a son. Wait a minute. So much to tell Elizabeth and he can’t utter a word. Can you imagine the scene as he lunged into the room, wild eyed, arms flailing about? His mouth was moving up a storm, but nothing was coming out. How do you think Elizabeth would react? “Oh my gosh. Zachariah is having a fit. I haven’t seen anything like this since Tucker Carlson was on Dancing with the Stars.” Zachariah must have motioned to Elizabeth to bring him a board and a piece of charcoal. Excitedly, he wrote in big letters, “You are going to be a mom.” Now, Elizabeth was sure that Zachariah was as nutty as a fruit cake. By the end of the month, though, what Zachariah had written on the board was confirmed.

Mary sat and listened intently to Elizabeth’s story. When it was over Mary went to be by herself to put all of this together into something that made sense to her. After she reflected on what Gabriel had told Zachariah and then her, it hit her how God was going to use she and Elizabeth and how grateful she was at being picked. She collected all of these thoughts and put them in the song we are studying today.

These verses form the greatest hymn found in the Bible sometimes called the Song of Mary but is probably best known as the Magnificat. The title Magnificat comes from the first word in the Latin translation of this song. Elizabeth recognized the blessedness of Mary and told her so. In response, Mary sang this song.

Mary is comfortable with this thing that is going to happen to her. She is sure that God knows exactly what he is doing. One of the key issues in this song is that God is going to turn the world upside down with this baby. As we go through the song, three changes will occur in the world - three revolutions: a moral revolution; a social revolution and an economic revolution. As we read this song, imagine that twelve- year-old girl is standing in front of you sharing the song with you alone.

Luke 1: 46 And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

Mary appears to look back to the Prophet Samuel. In Samuel is the story of the two wives of a man named Elkanah. One wife named Peninnah had children, but the second wife named Hannah did not. Hannah prayed that God would give her a son and if God did, she would dedicate him to the Lord. God gave her a son and as soon as he was weaned, Hannah took him to the temple and gave him to God. She wasn’t depressed because she lost having her son grow up in her house. Instead, she wrote a song to God praising and worshiping the Lord. The son she dedicated to the service of God was Samuel. Hannah’s song and Mary’s song both begin with praise. Hannah starts her song with “My heart rejoices in the Lord. No one is holy like the Lord.”

Luke 1: 48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me.

What is Mary saying here? She was a nobody from the lowest strata of society. Even though she had nothing going for her, God elevated her status so that forever she will recognized as somebody special. Is she right? Do we see Mary as somebody special? The choice of Mary turned the world upside down. A girl from the lowest rung of the social ladder is elevated to the top rung. What kind of revolution is that? A social revolution.

Luke 1: 50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

God does what? Shows mercy to everyone. What is mercy anyway? Mercy comes from a Greek word which was the name of a Greek god who showed pity. The word was usually used to describe compassion. But “mercy” means more than just compassion. Compassion doesn’t require much of us - not as much as mercy does. Mercy is compassion which leads to forgiveness. You can’t feel mercy for someone who you have not forgiven first. What is the basis for God showing compassion and forgiveness? Those who fear God - fear in the since of honor - those who honor God.. And how do we honor God? By keeping His commandments and obeying Him. That’s the covenant we make when we accept Christ.

Luke 1: 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 powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly;

When we speak of strength, what we are talking about is power. A man flexes the muscles in his arm to show his power. Mary is pointing out the power of God. With that power, God has done what? Scattered the arrogant and the proud. Pulled down the powerful from their thrones. Lifted up the lowly. How did God show this power? The Saturday night bath for the Egyptian army in the Red Sea. How were the Egyptians arrogant and proud? They thought that they were so powerful that they could break their word to God. No one thought they were more important on Facebook than the Pharaoh and his household. They had millions of friends. And nobody was lower than the Israelites who couldn’t afford to buy a computer. The proud and arrogant will be brought down. A lowly little girl like Mary will be raised up. Which revolution is this? A moral revolution. Christianity is the death to pride. Why? When a person puts his life beside the life of Christ, there is no way he can be proud of what he has done. Have you ever had something happen to you, that changed you forever? Having a baby does that. Accepting Christ does that. Recognizing that the most important people in the world - a man like Billy Graham - will die and the world will carry on. It’s humbling to know that when you pull your hand out of a bucket of water, the hole is quickly filled.

Luke 1: 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty

What does God do for the hungry? Fills them with good things. That means filling them with tasty things like butter pecan ice cream and chicken and dumplings. What happens to the rich? Sent away with an empty lunch pail. What kind of revolution is this? An economic revolution. The hungry are fed and the rich are sent away with nothing. Christian society is one where no one dares to want more while other brothers and sisters are in need of common necessities.

Luke 1: 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and his descendants forever." 56 And Mary remained with her abut three months and then returned to her home.

Mary reminds us that God was there to bail out Israel when times got bad. God did this because he had called Abraham and his descendants to save the world. God promised that he would make them a great nation and bless them. They in turn would bless the world. And God doesn’t welch on His promises. Now Mary sees that the world will be blessed through this Israelite baby boy she will deliver.

How much longer does Mary stay with Elizabeth? Three months. When Mary arrived, Elizabeth was six months pregnant, which means? Mary stayed until John was born.

The Magnificat is Mary’s beautiful response to a loving God. But for all of it’s loveliness, it is as powerful as the H bomb. It sets out that Christianity will bring a revolution in each of our lives and in the world in which we live.

Yep, “Moon River” and “Minnie the Mermaid” convinced Jackie that I was worth the gamble. Songs can do that. But, it was Mary’s song of praise for being the vehicle to bring the One who does away with life’s gamble that gives us all hope. This song guarantees believers, you and I, that God has stacked the deck in our favor. We just need to deal the cards.

Prayer: Father, thank you for standing with us in all of our suffering and pain. Help us to find and welcome that revolution in our lives that will bring us encouragement and strength through our faith. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.