Luke 1:39–56 “Joy in the Promise”

 

December 14, 2025

Advent Week 3 — Joy

Luke 1:39–56

“Joy in the Promise”

 

Service Overview: Joy isn’t rooted in circumstances, but in the promises of God. Mary’s song echoes the deep joy that comes when the lowly are lifted and the hungry are filled. In Advent, we join her praise, celebrating that God sees us, chooses us, and is fulfilling His Word. Our joy flows from the God who keeps His promises.

 

Memory Verse for the Week:

Luke 2:10 (NIV) – “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’”

 

Background & Technical Insights:

• A hundred fairy tales begin with the words, “A long time ago in a faraway country lived a beautiful maiden.” It was a long time ago, and in a far country, that a beautiful maiden gave birth to a wondrous Child; but Luke takes pains to show that God entered into the truly historical, truly human situation in Jesus Christ. He has no concern for make-believe stories nor symbolic fables. He has intense care for the facts of history and for the work of God within them. (Reuben Welch, Beacon Bible Expositions, Volume 3: Luke, 33)
• The journey from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea may have taken three to five days, depending on the precise location of Elizabeth’s home. In view of bandits on the roads, young Mary’s journey was courageous, although she probably found others, perhaps a caravan, with which to travel; otherwise her family may not have allowed her to go. (Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament 290)
• Elizabeth and Zechariah lived in a town in the hill country, which probably referred to the hilly region surrounding Jerusalem. As Mary arrived, Elizabeth’s baby leaped in her womb for joy, and Elizabeth was riled with the Holy Spirit. Zechariah also was later filled with the Holy Spirit (v. 67). Prior to the day of Pentecost, believers were filled with the Holy Spirit for specific tasks. (John A. Martin, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty 206)
• Mary’s poetic reply is known as the ‘Magnificat’ (the Latin verb for ‘glorifies’). It uses the form and language of a Jewish psalm and is saturated with echoes of OT praise to God. Inspiration for the words came from 1 Sa. 2:1-10, the song of Hannah after God had given her a child. (D. A. Carson, New Bible Commentary, 983)
• This song, commonly known as the Magnificat, has several striking features. First, it is saturated with OT concepts and phrases. Plummer (pp. 30-31) cites twelve different OT passages it reflects line by line, in addition to Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1-10, on which the song seems to have been modeled (Walter L. Liefeld, The Expositor’s Bible commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke, 835)

 

Where does true and lasting joy come from according to Mary’s song?

1. From the God who works His power through the weak and unexpected.

(vv. 48–49 cf. Ex 3:11–12; Judg 6:14–16; 1 Sam 16:7; Ps 8:2; 138:6; Isa 40:29–31; Matt 11:25; 1 Cor 1:26–29; 2 Cor 12:9–10; Eph 3:20)

Mary, despite her young age, sharing with the rest of humanity the imago Dei, had immense spiritual capacity. Though she was illiterate, she understood deep theological realities, as her Magnificat would soon attest. Though Mary was so young, the world sings of her amazing obedience. The church must never make the mistake of minimizing or patronizing its youth. (R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word: Luke, 43)

 

2. From the God who lifts the lowly and brings down the proud.

(vv. 51–53 cf. Ps 18:27; 51:17; 1 Sam 2:1–10; Prov 3:34; Isa 2:11–12; 57:15; Matt 5:3; James 4:6; 1 Pet 5:5–6)

Mary saw the Lord turning everything upside down: the weak dethrone the mighty, the humble scatter the proud, the nobodies are exalted, the hungry are filled, and the rich end up poor! The grace of God works contrary to the thoughts and ways of this world system (1 Cor. 1:26–28). (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 141)

The necessity of humility is a common thread in the nativity accounts and in much of Scripture elsewhere, for Christ comes to the lowly. He does not come to major department stores’ Christmas mechanized windows. He does not appear on televised Christmas specials, or sit on the lead float of the Rose Parade, or ride in stretch limos with the rich and famous. He was born to an ordinary young woman in a peasant town in an obscure country. (R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word: Luke, 55)

 

3. From the God who remembers, and mercifully fulfills, His covenant.

(vv. 54–55 cf. Gen 12:1–3; 17:7; Ex 34:6; Deut 7:9; Ps 105:8; Isa 54:10; Mic 7:18–20; Luke 1:72–73; Rom 15:8–9; 2 Cor 1:20)

Mary’s Song is not a revolutionary call to human action but a celebration of God’s action. (Joel B. Green, The New International Commentary on the New Testament: Luke, 186)

In spite of Israel’s destitute condition, the nation was still God’s servant, and He would help the people fulfill His purposes. God was on Israel’s side! He would remember His mercy and keep His promises (Ps. 98:1–3; see also Gen. 12:1–3; 17:19; 22:18; 26:4; 28:14). Were it not for Israel, Jesus Christ could not have been born into the world. (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 141)

 

Conclusion: How do these truths invite us to live with joy in our everyday lives?

1. By embracing humility before God and offering our weakness to His strength.

(Ps 25:9; 149:4; 73:26; Prov 22:4; Isa 41:10; 66:2; Matt 18:4; Luke 18:13–14; John 15:5; Acts 4:13; Rom 8:26; 12:3; 2 Cor 4:7; Phil 4:13; Col 3:12; James 3:13)

God comes into our world, not like a bomb, but like a baby; not to destroy, but to give new life. His coming is salvation, but it is also judgment upon our human self-sufficiency. (Reuben Welch, Beacon Bible Expositions, Volume 3: Luke, 34)

How tragic is the damning effect of self-sufficiency! The rich young ruler missed Christ altogether not just because he would not get rid of his things to follow Jesus, but simply because he was not hungry enough! Desire for the material had dulled a budding spiritual appetite—and the rich man was sent away empty! (R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word: Luke, 65)

 

2. By trusting God’s promises, even when we cannot see the outcome.

(Num 23:19; Ps 27:13–14; 119:89–90; Isa 40:8; 55:11; Hab 2:3; Rom 4:20–21; Heb 6:17–19; 10:23; 2 Pet 1:4)

Do not let your happiness depend on something you may lose. (C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves, 167)

Christianity is a divine project of replacing inferior joys in inferior objects with superior joys in God Himself. (John Piper, Why I Love the Apostle Paul, 162)

The purpose of rejoicing is not so we can feel better emotionally (though that will happen). The purpose of joy is to glorify God by demonstrating to an unbelieving world that our loving and faithful heavenly Father cares for us and provides for us all that we need. (Jerry Bridges, The Practice of Godliness, 115)

 

3. By choosing joy when circumstances might tempt us otherwise.

(Neh 8:10; Ps 16:11; 34:1; 42:5; Hab 3:17–18; John 16:33; Rom 5:3–4; 12:12; 2 Cor 6:10; Phil 4:4)

Joy persists in the face of weakness, pain, suffering, even death (cf. James 1:2). Biblical joy produces a deep confidence in the future that is based on trust in God’s purpose and power. It results in the absence of any ultimate fear, since the relationship with Christ is eternal and unshakable (cf. Ps. 16:11; John 16:22)… Biblical joy is more than happiness. It is an act of the will in choosing to obey God. The result is a supernaturally produced emotion, the fruit of walking in the Spirit (Rom. 14:17; Gal. 5:22). (John MacArthur, Philippians, 216)

 

Gospel Connection:

Because Christ fulfills God’s covenant and meets us in our weakness, our joy can stand secure in Him.

(Gen 22:18; Ex 34:6; Ps 73:26; Isa 40:29; Isa 53:4–5; Matt 11:28–30; Luke 1:72–73; Rom 5:6–8; 2 Cor 12:9; Heb 6:17–19)

If Christians do not rejoice it is not because they are Christians, but because they are not Christian enough. Joy is the rational state of the Christian in view of his spiritual position in Christ. (Alistair Begg, On Being a Pastor, 52)

 

Spiritual Challenge Questions…

Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.

• How does God working through the weak and unexpected challenge the way our culture measures significance?
• Where have you seen God use weakness (yours or someone else’s) to accomplish something meaningful?
• Mary celebrates that God lifts the lowly and brings down the proud. What does that reveal about God’s heart, and how does it confront attitudes we may hold?
• Which of God’s covenant promises gives you the most hope right now, and how might remembering it increase your joy?
• What does embracing humility look like in your everyday life, and why do you think humility and joy are so closely connected in Scripture?
• When you face situations where you cannot see what God is doing, what helps you continue trusting His promises?
• What practical steps can help you choose joy when circumstances tempt you toward frustration, discouragement, or fear?

 

HFM @ Home

Discipleship resources from the Free Methodist and Heidelberg Catechisms, offering historic, Scripture-based teaching to help us grow in our shared faith.

 

From The Heidelberg Catechism

Q26. What do you believe when you say, “I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth”?

1. That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything in them,¹who still upholds and rules them by his eternal counsel and providence,²is my God and Father because of Christ the Son.³

I trust God so much that I do not doubt he will provide whatever I need for body and soul,⁴ and will turn to my good whatever adversity he sends upon me in this sad world.⁵

God is able to do this because he is almighty God,⁶ and desires to do this because he is a faithful Father.⁷

¹ Gen. 1-2; Ex. 20:11; Ps. 33:6; Isa. 44:24; Acts 4:24; 14:15. ² Ps. 104; Matt. 6:30; 10:29; Eph. 1:11. ³ John 1:12-13; Rom. 8:15-16; Gal. 4:4-7; Eph. 1:5. ⁴ Ps. 55:22; Matt. 6:25-26; Luke 12:22-31. ⁵ Rom. 8:28. ⁶ Gen. 18:14; Rom. 8:31-39. ⁷ Matt. 7:9-11

 

From The FREE METHODIST Catechism

“Sin Entered the World Through One Man”⁷²

Adam and Eve broke God’s command when they ate of the forbidden fruit.⁷³ Through their disobedience they became sinners and subject to the righteous judgment of God.

As punishment for their sin they were expelled from the Garden of Eden and from fellowship with God.⁷⁴ But they also endured the punishment of death.⁷⁵ By disobeying God they brought sorrow, pain and ultimately death upon themselves. ⁷⁶

The sin of Adam and Eve also brought sorrow, pain and death upon all their descendants.⁷⁷ As a result, each person is born into a world that is full of the curse of sin. And each is born sinful and inclined to rebellion against God.⁷⁸

⁷² Romans 5:12. ⁷³ Genesis 3:1-7. ⁷⁴ Genesis 3:23-24. ⁷⁵ Genesis 2:17. ⁷⁶ Genesis 3:16-19. ⁷⁷ Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:22. ⁷⁸ Romans 5:12-21; Psalms 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9.