The Humble Principle

Luke 1:46-55

Main Idea: The coming of Christ is the great reversal, putting the proud on notice and exalting the humble.

I. God is Mindful (1:46-48, 54-55)

Though the news from the Angel Gabriel to Mary would have been incredibly disruptive, she responds by searching (1:29; lit. ‘taking an audit’), then surrendering (1:38), and finally singing in praise (1:46ff). She responds in with humble gratitude and praise because:

1. Her eyes are focused on God (1:46-48)

Mary is able to “magnify” the Lord because she is caught up that the Lord of the universe is mindful of her (cf Ps. 8:1-4). Though she did not seek this out, and her circumstances will be difficult, she will be “blessed” because of what God is doing.

2. Her mind is filled with Scripture (1:54-55)

Nearly every line of Mary’s Magnificat is a Biblical quotation (most notably, Hannah’s song in 1 Sam. 2). While it would have been easy to believe that God had forgotten about his promises, he has “remembered” his word to Israel and Abraham (cf. 2 Pet. 1:8-9). His ‘mindfulness’ is seen supremely in the story of Christmas, as he moves toward those helpless and of humble estate in the incarnation of Christ.

II. God is Mighty (1:49-53)

Mary sings about the “mighty” works of God, and specifically, how he brings low those who are lofty in pride. She speaks in the past tense, echoing great stories of the OT where the might of God and his strong “arm” delivered his people. “[The gospel] is not only a complete reversal of everything that man has ever proposed, it condemns, it demolishes, it scatters everything in which man by nature trusts” ~ Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Magnify the Lord
Mary’s song identifies three specific areas of pride that will be overthrown by God:

The Pride of Intellect & Wisdom (1:51)
Through the cross of Christ, God has “made foolish” the wisdom of this world, “destroying the wisdom of the [so-called] “wise” (1 Cor. 1:18-25); God has hidden the truths of the gospel from the “wise and understanding” who are blinded in their pride, and “revealed them to little children” (Matt. 11:25).
The Pride of Position & Power (1:52)
As the One who has the ultimate throne and the heavenly seat of authority, God is the one who “removes kings and sets up kings” (Dan. 2:21). The seemingly powerful by the standards of this world will be brought down, while the humble will be exalted.
Matthew 5:5: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
The Pride of Wealth & Riches (1:53)
The coming of Christ creates a paradox: the “full” will leave empty and hungry, while the hungry and the empty will be filled. Riches and wealth can create an illusion of “fullness” that leaves no room for God; those who are already satisfied with their life, status, and financial standing have no need of help or salvation from God.
Matthew 5:6: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

Christmas and the Magnificat tell the story of the “great reversal,” as God works in ways we would not expect. The wise of this world will be made foolish, those who occupy thrones will be brought low, and the rich will be sent away empty, all because the omniscient One comes as a baby, the King of all kings is born in weakness and obscurity, and the Heir of the universe becomes poor.

“When the King of kings and the Lord of lords came into this world, he came into a stable. If you do not feel a sense of holy laughter within you, I do not see that you have a right to think that you are a Christian. Thank God, this is the gospel, this is salvation. God turning upside down, reversing everything we have ever thought, everything we have taken pride in. The mighty? Why, he will pull them down from their seats. He has been doing so. He is still doing so. Let any man arise and say he is going to govern, to be the god of the whole world; you need not be afraid—he will be put down. Every dictator has gone down; they all do. Finally, the devil and all that belong to him will go down to the lake of fire and will be destroyed forever. The Son of God has come into the world to do that.”
~ Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Magnify the Lord

III. God is Merciful (1:50, 54)

If God is only mindful and mighty, but not merciful, we are all in trouble. But Mary’s song reminds us: “his mercy is for those who fear him” and he has helped the humble “in remembrance of his mercy.” But it is only those who take up the “low place” in the fear of the Lord and receive the humble principle of grace (cf. Mark 2:17).

1 Peter 5:5b-6:Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,