Revolution

The other challenge from Mary's song is REVOLUTION.  That's how E. Stanley Jones called it - the most revolutionary document in the world.  Apparently Mark Lowry spent 7 years completing the words to the song: 'Mary did you know?  It's a good question...what did she know about the future work of her son? Well, not the details - she's in the unfolding story as a witness to those.  But here are the boldest broad brush strokes imaginable.  Couched in strong Old Testament language (echoing Hannah in 1 Sam. 2), its prophetic past tense assumes that it is good as done as she looks at the implications of her son's birth.

-v. 51. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm - Psalmists exult in God's 'arm' separating the sea in Exodus, but Jesus' greatest act is with his outstretched arms on Calvary. He has scattered the proud in their inmost thoughts - Pride is the ultimate sin and God overthrows those who magnifies themselves.

- v.52 he has brought down rulers from their thrones.  Of all the claims this seems the most absurd. Mary's baby is at the bottom of the social, wealth, political scale.  Yet his kingdom works quietly away and the ultimate story has all the big names, Herod the Great, Herod Antipas, Pilate, Annas, Caiaphas as footnotes in the kingdom of Jesus.  He has lifted up the humble - complementing his rejection of the proud,

- v,53 he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. The world has always believed that rich people will be OK.  Like healthy people.  You wouldn't be rich or healthy if God (should you believe in him) didn't favour you! But Jesus, born poor, lives among the poor and spends his life with them and the sick. These are the people who matter!

I mentioned a Christmas children's address I gave many years ago.  We had a large cardboard box for a guitar.  I wrapped it up and (after seeing the children's gifts) asked them what they thought was inside. Of course some said a guitar.  Others were wily.  A couple came to the front to unwrap it and opening it found nothing.  Groans were heard.  But I insisted it was not empty.  Looking hard they found an apple pip in the corner.  Sadly, I couldn't find a mustard seed which would have made the point clearer (Matt. 13;31). Because what Jesus begins is the gradual, often hidden, glorious new way of living called the Kingdom of God.

Finally, I invited my hearers to begin a fresh look at the Beatitudes of Matthew 5.  They are the obvious follow-up to Mary's song.  So, over a few weeks you will see me dipping into these!