The Mary Factor: Pondering Jesus

A. INTRODUCTION: LUKE 2:19, 51

1. Mary pondered after the Shepherd’s visit, outside influence.

"But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19).

2. Mary pondered after twelve year old Jesus taught in the temple, inside influence.

"His mother kept all these sayings in her heart" (Luke 2:51).

3. Definition of Ponder. "To weigh in the mind, to put one thing against another, to review mentally, i.e., to think about, to examine carefully." Webster

a. Remember.

b. Examine.

c. Compare one thing with another.

B. MARY PONDERS

1. The supernatural nature of Jesus. She was promised "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest" (Luke 1:32). Jesus was royalty, deity, yet born humbly in a stable.

2. The potential of Jesus. She was told that her son would be King. "The throne of his father David" (Luke 1:32). Yet was born to poor people who were uprooted from home.

3. Her responsiveness to God. "Let it be unto me according to thy word" (Luke 1:38 NIV).

4. The attention of heaven to her son. "All they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds" (Luke 2:18). Simeon and Ana in the temple. The wise men who followed the star to worship her son. "Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and are come to worship" (Matt. 2:2).

5. The outstanding wisdom of Jesus. Mary found twelve-year old Jesus in the Temple. "They found him in the temple sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers" (Luke 2:46,47).

C. CHARACTERISTICS OF THOSE WHO PONDER

1. They are yielded. "Let it be to me according to thy word" (Luke 1:28).

2. They gain humility. "For he (God) both regarded the low estate of his handmaiden" (Luke 1:48).

3. They gain understanding. Mary said, "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it" (John 2:5).

4. They acquire excellence. "Highly favoured . . blessed . . . among women" (Luke 1:28).

5. They are cleansed. "My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior," (Luke 1:47).

6. They are grateful. "He (God) that is mighty hath done to me great things . . . and His mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation" (Luke 1:49,50).

7. They are satisfied. "He (God) hath filled the hungry with good things . . ." (Luke 1:53).

D. THE HEART: PLACE OF PONDERING

1. Let your mind speak to you about Jesus. To ponder we must:

a. Observe. Jesus and His nature. "When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus" (Matt. 17:8).

b. Listen to what is said and seen. "When he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he said this to them; and they believed" (John 2:22).

c. Store away in memory, and retain "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your soul" (Matt.11:2a).

d. Recall. "Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said unto him" (Matt. 26:75).

e. Let our memory direct our life. "Remember all the ways the Lord led thee" (Deut. 8:2).

2. Let your emotions support your relationship to Jesus. To ponder we must:

a. Open up your heart. "Did not our hearts burn within us" (Luke 24:32).

b. Listen to your desire from God. "A man after God’s own heart" (I Sam.13:14).

c. Be sensitive to your feelings. "Man looketh on the outward appearance, but God looketh on the heart" (I Sam.16:7).

d. Let our feelings reinforce God’s will for us.

3. Let your enlightened will focus your obedience to Jesus. When you ponder, "Is thine heart as my heart?" (II Kings 10:15). Wesley said, "If thine heart is as my heart, then take my hand."

a. Bring information to the surface. "O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. O Lord, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing" (Jer.10:23,24).

b. Give reasons for actions and direction. "A reason for the hope that is within you" (I Peter 3:15).

c. Give direction to our life. "A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps" (Prov.16:9).

d. Give purpose for living. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and he delighteth in his way" (Ps. 37:23).

e. Let your life have meaning and a purpose for living. "In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths" (Prov. 3:6).