Sermons
The Next Three Months
Series: Studies in Luke2 Studies in Luke
The Next Three Months
Lk. 1:39-80
Introduction:
1. In our previous study we considered the first six months of Luke’s account of the story “of all that Jesus began to do and teach” (1:1-38).
2. Luke states his objective in 1:1-4, to write out in an orderly way the truth about Jesus.
3. This section (1-38) hinges upon two major prophetic announcements given by Gabriel.
a. The first, is to Zacharias (8-20).
b. The second, is to Mary (26-28).
4. The section we will address in this lesson (39-80) involves the next three months and two more prophetic announcements.
a. One by Mary (46-55).
b. One by Zacharias (67-79).
5. These two statements are sandwiched between brief historical recollections of the events in the lives Mary, Elizabeth, and Zacharias.
6. After Gabriel spoke to Mary, she traveled to the hill country of Judea to visit Elizabeth. We pick up the account in verse 39.
Discussion:
I. Mary visits Elizabeth (1:39-45).
A. This visit is prompted by what Gabriel had said to Mary in 1:36-37.
1. It was a statement designed to give evidence of God’s power to grant her a
child even though she was a virgin.
2. God had granted a child to Elizabeth in her old age.
3. All of this is evidence that “nothing is impossible with God.”
B. Upon being greeted by Mary, Elizabeth is “filled with the Holy Spirit.”
1. Luke seems to assume his readers will understand what that means.
2. It seems to be connected to what she said. “Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that
the mother of my Lord would come to me?”
3. How did she know that Mary was the mother of her Lord? Was this a
conclusion drawn from something that Zacharias had said?
Was it something that had been communicated by Mary prior to her arrival?
Was it a revelation made in the moment by the Holy Spirit?
4. It is a prophetic statement.
5. Elizabeth relates it to the baby leaping in her womb for joy.
C. Elizabeth pronounces a blessing on Mary for believing in the fulfillment of what
had been spoken to her by the Lord. She knows something of what has been
spoken to Mary. The text does not say how she knows that.
II. Mary responds with a poetic and prophetic statement that may be a song (46-55).
A. It is certainly a statement of praise to God.
1. The traditional title is “The Magnificat,” which is Latin for “magnifies.” The
Greek term “megalúnō” is used by Luke. It means to magnify, to praise, to
exalt, to glorify.
2. If “putting someone down” is the opposite of this then the idea here is “to put
God up,” to speak well of Him. It is what all of us should do. It is the essence
of worship. We sometimes us the idea when we say something like, “That
man’s wife worships him.” Or “That man worships his wife.” He has only
good and praiseworthy things to say about her.
3. In the parallelism used here, Mary associates this praise with her spirit
rejoicing.
B. She proceeds to identify why she is rejoicing and praising God (48ff).
1. He has regarded her humble state; and has exalted her (48).
2. She identifies Him as the Mighty One who has done great things for her. She
praises Him: “Holy is His name.” Cf. “Hallowed be your name” (Matt. 6:9).
Terms in the Greek are from the same word family.
C. Twice she quotes from Psalms.
1. Verse 50. Psa. 103:17. God’s mercy is the focus. In the Heb. “hesed”
translated in Greek with “éleos” (mercy or compassion). Cf. Lk. 1:78.
2. Verse 53. Psa. 107:9. This passage reflects thoughts about God
humbling those who are exalted and exalting those who are humble (51-53).
D. She ties together the manifestation of God’s mercy generally to His
manifestation of mercy toward Israel (54). And this with the promise made to
Abraham (55). Cf. Gen. 12:1-3.
III. Time stamp: “Mary stayed about three months and returned home.” Did she leave before the birth of John or after??
IV. Luke returns to recounting the history associated with John and his parents (57-80). He will not return to the addressing the history of Jesus until chapter 2.
A. What was happening with Elizabeth was not a matter that was kept under wraps
(57-58). It resulted in others rejoicing with her. Her neighbors and relatives.
The natural web through which word travels.
B. As was traditional and required by the law they circumcised the child on the 8th
day (Gen. 17:12; Lev. 12:3).
1. It was common to name the child at this time.
2. The name Zacharias was recommended.
3. Elizabeth said, “No, John.” They objected.
4. Zacharias wrote, “His name is John.”
5. His mouth was opened and he began to speak praising God.
6. The people recognized the intervention of God, and the word spread that the
hand of the Lord was with John.
V. Zacharias prophesies (67-79).
A. We have raised the question of what Zacharias prayed for in the temple. We
now have evidence of God’s response in Zacharias’s own words. This gives
insight into what he prayed for. He prayed for God’s intervention in their history.
B. He praises God for “visiting us and accomplishing redemption for His people”
(68).
C. He connects this with the household of David (69, cf. 2 Sam. 7:12ff).
D. He quotes from Psa. 106:10 a passage referring to God’s deliverance of Israel
particularly at the Red Sea. He makes application to the current circumstance
that God is delivering them from their enemies, remembering His covenant with
Abraham (cf. Gen. 12:1-3). God’s purpose is that they might serve Him without
fear (of enemies).
E. He quotes Mal. 3:1 (76) of John who is to be the prophet of the Most High to give
knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of sins. That is an interesting
statement. Were they expecting deliverance from Rome? If so, they will be
disappointed. He is coming to bring deliverance from sins.
F. He quotes Isa. 9:2; 59:8 about the tender mercy of God bringing the Sunrise to
shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. I am reminded of
Psa. 23. “Even though I walk through the shadow of death you are with me.” He
will guide our feet into the way of peace (harmony, tranquility, “eirénēs in Greek,
equivalent to Heb. “shaloam” in Isa. 59:8).
G. It is occurring because of God’s tender mercy (merciful compassion, Cf. 1:50).
Conclusion:
1. When we understand God’s intervention in our lives, His merciful compassion, His mighty deeds, His Sunrise upon us, His plan as revealed through Abraham and David and the prophets of old, what should our response be?
2. “My soul magnifies the Lord,” said Mary.
3. “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,” said Zacharias.
4. Shall our praise be any less?
