Luke 1:39-56
Eager to share the wonderful message with the one about whom the angel has just been talking to her, Mary goes to visit her relative, Elisabeth. What a conversation must have taken place between those two women! It is an illustration of Malachi 3:16 : "Then they that feared the LORD, spake often one to another . . .". What occupies them is the glory of God, the accomplishment of His promises, and the blessings granted to faith. Do we have such subjects of conversation when we meet other children of God?
"Blessed is she that believed . . ." Elisabeth exclaims, and Mary replies, "My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour . . ." (v. 47). Here is sufficient proof that Mary was not saved in any other way than by faith. A sinner, like all the rest of mankind, she needed the Saviour who was going to be born of her. She adds, "He hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden." (v. 48). Despite the exceptional honour God was bestowing on her, Mary remains in her true place before Him. What would she then think about the idolatry of which she has become the object in Christendom today?
"The rich he hath sent empty away . . .". God only sends away empty those who are full of themselves. Notice too the similarity of Mary’s beautiful song to Hannah’s in 1 Samuel 2:1-36.