The Strength of the Arm of God (Luke 1:51)

“He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts (Luke 1:51).”

This verse is found in the middle of the song of Mary from Luke 1:46-56. Throughout the Old Testament, we find the strength of God being described by an arm or hand. In Psalm 89:13, Ethan the Ezrahite describes the LORD God of hosts as having a mighty arm and a strong hand. Elsewhere in the prophets, Isa. 52:10 mentions that the LORD had made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations. It is interesting to me that this same chapter of Isaiah has another reference to the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. You can see that reference in Isa. 52:7.

Perhaps one Old Testament event that Mary had in mind was the deliverance of the people of Israel against the Pharaoh of Egypt. This occurred when he and his army of chariot soldiers chased the Israelites through the Red Sea. It is said that as the Egyptians were following the Israelites the wheels of their chariots fell off, for the LORD was fighting against them (Ex. 14:25). After the victory against the Egyptians, we find what is referred to as the song of Moses in Exodus 15.

At Ex. 15:6 Moses declares that the right hand of the LORD is become glorious in power and dashed in pieces the enemy. Then after further mentioning that God is glorious in holiness, he says that the LORD had stretched out his right hand, and the earth swallowed them up (Ex. 15:11-12).

Mary was indeed right to praise God for the strength his arm. The LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save (Isa. 59:1).

The righteous must not despise sinners (Luke 18:9)

“And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:” (Luke 18:9)

Though growing in righteousness is a good thing, it is possible for us to become arrogant concerning our walk with Christ. This is something that must be fought at all costs. Even as we repent of our sins and no longer that activity, we need to remember that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). When we become convinced of our own righteousness, that is when we really need to be careful (1 Cor. 10:12; 1 Tim. 3:6).

If these problems are not nipped in the bud, it is possible for us to be ineffective in preaching the gospel to the lost. The reason for this is because we would despise the lost so much that we would never know them long enough to teach them the gospel. For instance, we are supposed to instruct people in a spirit of meekness (2 Tim. 2:25). Further, we need to remember that we may have been fornicators, thieves, or drunkards prior to becoming Christians (1 Cor. 6:9-11). As such, we need to remember that fact, and teach people with love, and not be high-minded in our own perceived righteousness.

Except ye repent, ye shall… perish (Luke 13:3, 5)

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3, 5)

Having heard the gospel, and believed it, you must then repent of your sins. In the direct context, Jesus was teaching the people that they should not think that people can suffer such terrible deaths because their sins were so much greater than those of others. Rather, all people who have sinned will perish just as those who were slain by the tower of Siloam. As such, we all need to repent of our sins.