CHRISTMAS GREETING CARD SERMON V: PONDER!
“But Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)
Once the angels had announced to the shepherds the good news of great JOY which shall be to all people, the Bible says they left and went back to heaven.
Once the shepherds had found the baby lying in a manger and bowed before the manger in adoration, praising God and spreading the good news, the Bible says they returned to the fields to watch their sheep.
Once the Wise Men, who had followed the star for miles and miles until it stopped over the place where the child was, and, had presented unto him their gifts, the Bible says they went back to their own country.
Once Mary the mother of Jesus had given birth to her son, cradled him in her arms and laid him in a manger, she witnessed all the commotion along with the excitement of those who came to worship her son, and, the Bible says, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Nine months before his birth, Mary had wondered how it could be that she a virgin became pregnant; and, during that period of time, she went to the hill country to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who revealed to her that she had been divinely chosen to give miraculous birth to the Son of God.
Now that Jesus had been born, Joseph her husband fulfilled his role as protector and provider of the mother and child. He did so by shielding her from public ridicule, and by making sure that Jesus was spared the rod of vengeance threatened by Herod the king.
In Joseph’s carpenter’s shop, Jesus was to learn the trade that made a living for their family during the years of this child’s growing in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.
Yes, it was Joseph his earthly father who instilled in Jesus discipline. Yes, it was Mary his mother who nurtured him. Yes, Jesus himself, until he reached the age of thirty – at which time he was to begin his ministry – most likely helped support his family by working in the carpenter’s shop.
During all of these years, though, it was Mary who pondered all these things in her heart.
She had been there when he was born . . . he was dedicated in the temple shortly after his birth . . . he went through school . . . he was found at the age of twelve talking with the priests in the temple . . . he said to her that he must be about his father’s business . . . he grew into manhood.
She had been there when he left home to begin his ministry - and three years later she would be there when he was crucified on a cross.
Mary had always been there – from the moment she received word that she would give birth to the Son of God, until the moment the Son of God, hanging on a cross, looked at his best friend John and said to him, “Behold your mother”- and then turned his eyes toward Mary and said to her “Behold your son” – meaning that his friend John was to become his mother Mary’s caregiver
All these things pondered in her heart must have staggered her mind!
Yet, please do not miss the wording John used when he wrote she pondered these things in her heart. In her heart!
When the Bible speaks of one’s “heart,” the reference has to do, not with the muscle that beats within our chest in order to pump life-sustaining blood throughout the body; it has to do with that invisible part of our spirit that enables us to “keep on keeping on” in spite of the setbacks and the disappointments in life. As a figure of speech, the heart is that spirit within us that sustains spiritual life.
Do you suppose Mary the mother of Jesus held within her heart the comforting words of the psalmist?
“Be of good courage, and the Lord shall strengthen your heart.”
“A broken heart, O Lord, You will not despise.”
“Search me, O God, and know my heart.”
“I cried with my whole heart, and the Lord heard me.”
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.”
Had this mother pondered these things in her mind, it was burdensome enough to drive her out of her mind. There is no way that anyone is strong enough mentally to cope with all Mary had to endure without suffering severe anxiety due to worry and fear.
Mary could remain at peace in her mind and, although very troubled by the human aspects of her son’s treatment by a cruel world, she was able to remain at peace in her heart – for one reason and one reason only: She knew before his birth that her son had been conceived in her by the Spirit of God, and that his mission for being born into this world was to be the Savior of the world.
Mary pondered the purpose of her son’s birth . . . baptism . . . life . . . ministry . . . death . . . burial . . . resurrection – and her awareness of the purpose of it all, along with God’s presence, gave her strength to endure.
If you and I will only be aware that we were born into this world for a purpose, that we have lived life for a purpose, and that our departure from this world will be for a purpose, we can face any situation in life, and every circumstance, with peace in our minds and hearts. I can say to you from the bottom of my heart that today I possess a sense of contentment that, no matter what tomorrow my bring, I am at peace with God - because God is my Father, Jesus Christ is my Savior, and my eternal destiny in his presence is sure.
It is that time of year when we say goodbye to the old year and hello to the New Year.
It’s only a calendar thing, of course, but as we turn the page from December 2007 to January 2008, it’s a good time for us to thank the Lord for his blessings of the past and to renew our commitment to worship and serve him today, tomorrow and throughout eternity.
None of us knows what the New Year will bring, but of one thing we can be sure: Christ the Lord is King!
In keeping with the welcoming of a New Year the founder of the Methodist Church Charles Wesley composed the words of a majestic hymn based on Philippians 4:4 . . .
Rejoice! The Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore!
Rejoice, give thanks, and sing, and triumph evermore.
The Lord, our Savior, reigns, the God of truth and love;
When He had purged our stains, He took His seat above;
His kingdom cannot fail, He rules o’er earth and heaven;
The keys of death and hell are to our Jesus given;
Rejoice in glorious hope! Our Lord the Judge shall come
And take His servants up to their eternal home;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
When Mary the mother of Jesus heard the angel announce to her that she had found favor with God, that she a virgin would give birth to a son, that she was to give him the name Jesus, that He would be great, and that His kingdom would never end, Mary bowed in submission to the angel of the Lord, saying, “May it be to me as you have said.”
Then Mary hurried to the hill country to visit Elizabeth who greeted Mary, saying, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear.” And Mary said, “My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!”
As the old year passes away and the New Year dawns, let us all say, “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior!”
Amen.
