Luke 1:39-56
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.
Reflection
Mary’s joy overflows as she considers God’s grace for those who are humble (Luke 1:46–53). Not only has God given this meek young woman the privilege of bearing the Son of God, but the child she carries will confront and conquer the proud and exalted powers of this world and provide eternal mercy to those who are lowly in heart.
Mary also rejoices because she realizes that this child is an act of God’s faithfulness to Israel and the promises made to Abraham (vv. 54–55). God has not forgotten his people or his word. Jesus is the fulfillment of everything God has worked toward throughout history.
The work of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ leaves no room for human pride. Like Mary, the only appropriate response to God’s gift of Jesus is to rejoice in God our Savior (v. 47).
Galatians 6:1-5
6: Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.
Reflection
Paul’s letter began with a stern scolding (Gal. 1:6; 3:1), but he now assumes a warmer tone and addresses the Galatians as his “brothers” (6:1). He wants the Christian family to take care of one another, and in this section we see the importance of being involved in one another’s lives (v. 1). Just because we have received the generous grace of God doesn’t mean our character has already been perfected. We each have plenty of room to grow, and God has given us one another to help the progress. Sometimes this requires humble and loving confrontation when we see others self-destructing in sin (v. 1). At other times we will need to bear each other’s burdens (v. 2), checking ourselves for pride (v. 3), knowing that we will each answer for the way we lived our lives (vv. 4–5).
Psalm 149:4
4 For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.
Mary’s exemplary humility is another opportunity for us to check our lives for the destructive presence of pride. Confess any hint of self-dependence or selfexaltation that you are aware of and keep asking God to help you walk in humility before him.