Imagine what our society would look like if it were flipped on its head; ie., if all the things we took as normal or inevitable (the rich have power, the poor do not; celebrities are all beautiful; sex sells, etc...) were reversed? What would that look like in the DTES of Vancouver? In other neighbourhoods?
In Luke 1:39-56, this type of reversal is prophesied. A newly pregnant Mary visits with her cousin, Elisabeth, also pregnant with a miracle baby, in the hills of Judea. Even before Elizabeth can respond to her cousin’s greeting, her unborn baby (who the angel announced would be filled by the Spirit of God even from the womb) has realised who it is that Mary is carrying.
Baby John the Baptist jumping in the womb is the beginning of John’s witness to Jesus. And it is a witness infused with joy, as is Mary’s song (called The Magnificat). The birth of the Messiah is seen as the culmination of God’s action and purpose within Israel. Mary’s song is not just thanking the Lord for his mercy towards her, but towards all of Israel. This act is the promised deliverance and redemption for the people of God, the long-awaited vindication of the poor and needy, and the judgement on the rich, proud oppressors.
In Mary’s song she praises the LORD and declares that He is Saviour. She is in awe that the LORD took notice of her even though she was a lowly servant. But that is what the LORD is like all throughout Scripture - God’s love and attention is searching, it is comprehensive, and it is focused most especially on the poor, the meek, the lowly. Mary sings that the LORD has shown mercy to generations, and has filled the hungry, sent the rich away, exalted the humble and scattered the proud. This song is an announcement of the overturning of humanity’s disordering of creation. The power of God as judge of his enemies, of those who have disobeyed and gained power off the backs of the poor and innocent, is invoked in this song as well. Israel’s salvation was always pictured in terms of release from slavery or return from exile – that is, the overthrow of those powers that were crushing her. The implication is that the same God who brought about the Exodus has also brought about the baby in Mary’s womb. Luke shows a special concern in his gospel for the poor and the oppressed, and is pointing out here that the coming of God’s salvation through Jesus will and should result in a different way of being with one another, in particular giving a new hope to the poor.
Mary’s song declares what the Lord has done for her and for her people. It is an impressive list, and one can imagine being inspired to praise as a result of remembering such a good and merciful God. What has the Lord done for you and your people? What are you still longing for God to do? Write out a list this week, or if you can, a song or poem, that lists out what the Lord has done for you and the reversals that you are praying for. Keep it somewhere you will see it daily to remind yourself of who God is and the mighty acts he has done and will do.
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