Key Scriptures: Luke 1:46-55
And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
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The coming of Jesus pulls us out of our own prideful imaginations and into the freedom of not being our own god.
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Lesson one: God will exalt the humble in heart.
• Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness
Luke 1:50, 52b, 53a, 54-55, His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm…he has lifted up the humble…he has filled the hungry with good things…he has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.
Matthew 5:6, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.
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Lesson Two: God will humble the proud in heart.
• Pride is when sinful humans aspire the position and status of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependence on him
Luke 1:51b, 52a, 53b, he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones…he has sent the rich away empty.
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Lesson Three: Humility leads to rejoicing.
• To embrace our smallness and the grandeur of God—is to lead a life of expressed joy in God
Luke 1:46-48, And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.