The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Luke 46-56, “And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord,

47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

48 “For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will

count me blessed.

49 “For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name.

50 “And His mercy is upon generation after generation Toward those who fear Him.

51 “He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.

52 “He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble.

53 “He has filled the hungry with good things; And sent away the rich empty-handed.

54 “He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy,

55 As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his offspring forever.”

56 And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home.”

Good news seems always to elicit singing. Music is often an indication of inward peace and joy. At the same time, it is a means of healing when anxiety floods our lives. Mary was excited beyond measure! While her external rejoicing filled the home of Elizabeth, her soul (psuche) and her spirit (pneuma) exploded with thanksgiving! She openly acknowledged her humility and pledged her allegiance to the LORD. Her praise focuses solely on the LORD, and she rejoices as she praises His Name.

Thomas and Gundry offer this brief statement from their Harmony of the Gospels: “This ‘vocal meditation’ of Mary recalls the type of literature found in the Old Testament Psalms. Mary describes God’s actions with seven past tense (Greek aorist tense) verbs (1:51-54). From the nature of the circumstances, however, it is obvious that these are anticipations of what God was going to do in the future through the Child in her womb. Hence, these are anticipations of ‘prophetic aorists’ after the analogy of the Hebrew ‘prophetic perfect.’”

Mary demonstrates her humility when she calls herself a bondslave. By contrast, she speaks of the LORD’s mercy

toward those “who fear Him.” The fear (phobos) of which she speaks is not “a mere ‘fear’ of His power and righteous retribution, but a wholesome dread of displeasing Him, a ‘fear’ which banishes the terror that shrinks from His presence” (Vine). The LORD controls all aspects of humanity. He exalts those whom He pleases to exalt, and brings down those whom He pleases to bring down. But He fills the spiritually hungry with good and satisfying things.

Where do you stand with respect to the LORD? Do you belong to Him? Is your life praising Him? Are you pleasing Him with how you live your life? Joy does not come from material possessions; it comes from the dedication of our lives to Jesus Christ. Do you know Him? Have you been spiritually born again? Ask Him to forgive your sins and take control of your life. You will then begin to sing joyfully as Mary did; and He will become your Joy!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom