Welcome to Beautiful Jesus, a new newsletter from the Friendly Neighbors that offers devotional thoughts on the life of Christ. As we begin, we’ll be moving through the Gospel of Luke.
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What is the meaning of Jesus’ ministry? If you’re like me, you come from a church background that focuses almost exclusively on personal salvation. In this scheme, Jesus came to forgive sinners so they might be made right with God and go to heaven instead of hell. That’s right to a point (though the ways we think of heaven and hell are often derived more from folk theology than scripture - but, that’s a post for another day). Jesus did indeed come to save sinners, and his work has a most definite personal dimension.
Now, let’s ask Mary the same question.
Her answer comes in the form of a song often referred to as the Magnificat, a name derived from the Latin translation of Luke 1:46-55. In these verses, the mother of Jesus offers something of a commentary on her own understanding of what God will do through Christ. For Mary, the world will be turned upside down.
The theme of great reversal is seen first in verses 46-49. Here, it takes place on a personal level for Mary herself. God has passed over the rich and important in choosing Mary to bear the Christ. Now she, a humble young woman from a humble, backwoods town, will be remembered by all generations as blessed.
Then, having acknowledged the reversal in her own life, Mary’s vision lifts to the world at large. God has scattered the proud, brought down rulers from their thrones, and sent the rich away empty. Conversely, he has lifted up the humble and filled the hungry with good things. For Mary, Jesus’ coming means a righting of society in such a way that oppression is toppled and poverty overcome. Hers is a vision of final judgment when the world is brought in line with the goodness of God. She is so sure of this mighty work that she speaks as if it is already done.
For many of us, the social nature of Mary’s song can seem a bit disconcerting. We haven’t seen the gospel in this way, and we’ve even been told that interest in “social justice” issues is a wrong turn for Christians. If nothing else, Mary’s song should prepare us to expand our understanding of God’s work in Christ. Luke especially will challenge our assumptions by emphasizing Jesus’ ministry to the poor and humble.
Now, we must wait to see how Jesus will fulfill these themes. By any stretch of the imagination, his way will be surprising. For, he simply won’t fit into the boxes we make for him. That was true in his day, and it is still true in our own.
O God, Give us eyes to see and ears to hear Jesus in all of his fullness. By your Spirit, help us put down our preconceptions that we may behold him in all of his beautiful and challenging glory.
Photo by Shashank Sahay on Unsplash
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