Luke 1b Commentary
Being afraid is humanity’s reaction when divinity shows up. The angel’s first statement is to calm down the situation: “Do not be afraid”. Mary is addressed by name. The LORD God knows you by your given name. Let not your name be Mr. Trouble or Ms. Vanity. The angel may never visit!
As in the case of Elizabeth’s baby, Mary’s baby is named by the LORD. He would be called Jesus; he would also be called the Son of the Most High. The LORD would give him the throne of his father David. His kingdom will never end.
The LORD never travels light. His messages are always fully loaded. Look at the statements: “Son of the Most High” and “his father David”. We shall live with this kind of multiplicity throughout Luke’s volume. If we applied science to the scriptures, then the Most High would equal David. It never works this way!
Zechariah’s song should be about his son John. But interestingly, he voices his praises about “a horn of salvation in the house of his servant David”. This can only be a prophecy. This amount of confusion isn’t human! He is fortunate because Elizabeth is godly! What has John to with all this “house of David” talk? Women can be mean!
Jesus has a way to occupy every human space in the heart of the saint. We forgive Zechariah. He has however some space for his own son John and it comes towards the end of his prophecy. Again and only because it connects and interacts with Jesus. John would be the prophet of the Most High. His life’s purpose is to “prepare the way for him”.
Compare Mary’s song and Zechariah’s song. Let men know the difference. Zechariah’s song is a prophecy, verse 67, while Mary’s song is simply a song, verse 46. The quality of Mary’s song is up there at the top of “how stuff is supposed to be done”. Let it be God-centered and let it flow from a soul bent on glorifying the LORD.
Tomorrow we shall look at the details surrounding the birth of Jesus – exclusive news. You would guess the historian Luke has sat down with Mary for a drive into memory lane. Luke always gives you this special feel.
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