Luke 1:39-56:
39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” 46 And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth 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 on those who fear Him From generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. 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 seed forever.” 56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.
1. Why do you think Mary mentions both her soul and spirit in these verses? What is the difference between the two?
2. Some people believe that Mary was sinless. Does verse 47 point towards this of her being in need of a Savior like all of mankind?
3. Read Psalms 42:11. We see in both these passages that the soul is being directed on how to respond or act. Is there an area of your life where your soul need to magnify the Lord?
1. Why do you think Mary mentions both her soul and spirit in these verses? What is the difference between the two?My soul magnifies the Lord – her whole self glorifies God but her spirit has rejoiced in God her Savior. Mary needed a Savior, and she knew that she needed a Savior. She was brought up on the word of God in a good jewish home. She knew the messiah would come. Her spirit rejoicing a new birth in her and of herself too! Jesus the king being born inside her Wow such glory and honor cannot be contained.2. Some people believe that Mary was sinless. Does verse 47 point towards this of her being in need of a Savior like all of mankind? Mary was not sinless she needed a saviour! \”And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.\”God is faithful and true.3. Read Psalms 42:11. We see in both these passages that the soul is being directed on how to respond or act. Is there an area of your life where your soul need to magnify the Lord?Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.Many times I praise God for His Spirit in me but I think my soul can be sluggish to get to the point of praise and total surrender like dragging a bag full of stuff around. I need to let go of this bag as it does not bring me freedom it just slows everything down. I want to run with the spirit & sour like an eagle. The 2 seem to be connected at times and yet separated many times. I pray for clear discernment on these 2. God show me your way. Your ways are higher. Help me be free of my soulish tendancies and habits and be freed in your spirit.
1. Our spirit is the part of us that determines which kingdom we belong to- the Heavenly Kingdom of God or the earthly kingdom of the devil. It is the innermost part of us and should influence our soul. Our soul is our mind, will, and emotions. This is the part of us that influences what goes on with our body and what we present to the world. We can renew our mind (our soul) and make it line up with our new spirit or we can let our soul continue to be run by the influence of the world. Mary was indicating that her innermost being magnified the Lord, along with her mind, will and emotions. Her whole being was in agreement and worshiping the Lord.2. I don't believe that Mary was sinless. She was still human and had not been redeemed by her Savior yet. The Bible states in several places that Jesus was without sin. I am not aware of any verses that indicates that Mary was sinless, and this verse in 47 seems to indicate she understood her need for a Savior.