Ode to Joy

Scripture: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! …And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord. Luke 1:42, 45

Observation: Mary is doubly blessed. First she is blessed because she gets to bear the Son of God. Second, she is blessed because she believed God would do what He said. She expected God’s word to come true.
Although Mary bore Christ in a unique, unrepeatable way, all believers in Christ also bear him wherever they go. They bear him at home, at work, in the gym, at Starbucks. We are Christ bearers, carriers of the Christ where we live, work, and play. And so we are blessed. But we are doubly blessed if we also believe God’s word and expect him to fulfill all he has said to us.

Application: There is great joy found in Mary’s Magnificat, her ode to joy over God’s grace and gift. But I can also know the joy of God’s blessing. I can bear Christ today to those around me. I can expect God to fulfill His word to me. These things get me excited and fill me with song just like Mary. While Mary’s role is unique, I am so thankful God so freely shares his blessings with me.

Prayer: God, today as I study Acts for the message Sunday on sharing your truth with others, help me to hear from you correctly, that I might help our people know the truth and enjoy the blessing of bearing Christ where they live, work, and play.