Ponder the Treasure

Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
 
ON the night of the Savior come, Mary paused for some time to look back and look ahead as we might do at significant moments in our lives and even as one year makes way for a new year. Mary certainly had much to treasure and ponder about the past and future on that night of Jesus’ miraculous birth. We can pictured Mary’s eyes gazing at her baby while pondering all the events that had led her to that historic moment. And would she have been thinking about Jesus’ future? Certainly she would have pondered hers and Joseph’s future, too, as ones to oversee this Messiah-child. Would she be thinking about her family’s future and her people’s future?
   As Luke used the word “treasure” it indicates to us that Mary was putting great value on what God had done in the past and what he would do in the future. Imagine, the Messiah! Would this manger-born baby rule in Jerusalem where the evil Herod sat? Would he son remove the Romans from the land? What kind of savior would he be?
   God had certainly surprised and shown her he would do very unexpected, humanly impossible things. To think she became pregnant while she was a virgin! Then to assure Mary of the miraculous promise, God guided her to the miracle of the aged, barren Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Next, the Lord led her betrothed husband Joseph to obey his commands and accept a pregnant wife and to treat her with love and restraint. God protected this couple from their culture’s stigmas. Surely it was God’s hand that had moved them to Bethlehem and to the manger that night.  
   Putting these events together, Mary most assuredly knew there would be more wonders to behold. She, of faith, would treasure God’s choosing her to live amid these world-changing, kingdom-building events.
   On this night, the Spirit was guiding Mary to prepare for a life that would witness the Savior of the world grow into manhood. Mary would come to know that in each moment as she gazed upon this child, she would celebrate what God had done. The in the next instant, she would have an uncertain hope in what he would do.
   As we close this year and begin to look ahead, open afresh your eyes, heart, mind and soul to ponder and treasure the miracles of the Savior come. Ponder and treasure your place in God’s kingdom. Be in awe he chooses you to live amid his world-changing, kingdom-building work. Keep your eyes on Jesus each moment of your life. Rejoice in the sure hope you have in Jesus, the Savior. Anticipate he will guide you through difficult times and challenges to your faith. Know he will draw you more closely to him as you ponder and treasure God’s Word.
 
Ponder & Treasure: James 4:7-8 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your amazing gift. Put my mind upon the Savior to treasure the wonders of your favor upon me. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.