Mary's Magnificat in Luke 1:46-56 is more than a song of praise—it is a powerful declaration of God's justice. As we examine this ancient hymn, we are challenged to align our hearts with God's passion for setting right what is wrong in our world.
The Unlikely Vessel
Mary was an improbable choice to bear the Messiah:
Yet God chose her, demonstrating his pattern of using the unlikely to accomplish his purposes. Mary's song magnifies God for working through her despite societal barriers and injustice.
- She was a Jew under Roman oppression.
- She was from the despised town of Nazareth in Galilee.
- She was poor and of low social status.
- She was an unmarried woman in a patriarchal society.
God's Justice Declared
Mary praises God for three specific acts of justice:
This language is revolutionary. It speaks of God actively opposing systems of oppression and inequality. Mary foreshadows Jesus' own declaration of his mission to bring good news to the poor, freedom for prisoners, and to set the oppressed free (Luke 4:18-19).
- Scattering the proud
- Bringing down rulers and lifting the humble
- Filling the hungry and sending the rich away empty
Justice: The Character of God
Scripture repeatedly affirms that justice is core to God's nature:
God's justice is not an abstract concept, but a passionate concern for the vulnerable. He consistently calls out injustice against widows, orphans, immigrants, and the poor. Jesus continues this focus, ministering to society's outcasts.
- He is the God of justice (Isaiah 30:18)
- He loves justice (Isaiah 61:8)
- He requires his people to "act justly, love mercy and walk humbly" (Micah 6:8)
God's justice is not an abstract concept, but a passionate concern for the vulnerable. He consistently calls out injustice against widows, orphans, immigrants, and the poor. Jesus continues this focus, ministering to society's outcasts.
Praying for Justice
How then should we pray in light of God's heart for justice?
We must be cautious that our pursuit of justice is always anchored in prayer. Without the foundation of communion with God, our efforts can become misguided or ineffective. Prayer keeps our hearts aligned with God's purposes.
- Know who you are praying to - the God who loves justice
- Ask God to break your heart for what breaks his
- Pray for justice to come, both now and in God's future kingdom
- Allow prayer to lead to action
We must be cautious that our pursuit of justice is always anchored in prayer. Without the foundation of communion with God, our efforts can become misguided or ineffective. Prayer keeps our hearts aligned with God's purposes.
Living Out Justice
As we pray, God will open our eyes to injustice around us and show us how to act. This may involve:
Our goal should be to let "justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream" (Amos 5:24).
May our justice flow from hearts transformed by God's love. May it bring living water to the thirsty and lift up those who have been trampled. And may it always be anchored in humble dependence on the God who is making all things new.
- Speaking up against discrimination in our workplaces or communities
- Volunteering with ministries serving vulnerable populations
- Showing hospitality to immigrants and refugees
- Addressing "upstream" systemic issues, not just symptoms
Our goal should be to let "justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream" (Amos 5:24).
May our justice flow from hearts transformed by God's love. May it bring living water to the thirsty and lift up those who have been trampled. And may it always be anchored in humble dependence on the God who is making all things new.
Posted in Faith
Posted in justice, hospitality, volunteering, outreach, serving others, unlikely vessel
Posted in justice, hospitality, volunteering, outreach, serving others, unlikely vessel