“But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” – Luke 2:19
Scripture reading: Ephesians 3:14-21
Luke briefly leaves the exuberant shepherds, and puts the spotlight on Jesus’ mother Mary. Mary and Joseph have had a lot to process over the past nine months, as they grapple with who this baby is and will be. Tonight’s events have astonished them afresh and left them with even more to ponder. No doubt, the sudden appearance of the shepherds, and their dramatic testimony prompted fresh reflection.
Thus, “Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” “Treasure up” means to file something important in your mind and pull it out periodically to study it. “Ponder” means to think deeply about something and discuss it within yourself.
Luke 1:26-38 reveals Mary as a young woman of faith. Even though the miracle of the Virgin Birth astonished her, she humbly offered herself to God’s service and received God’s Son in her womb.
From that moment on, Mary’s understanding of her son had to grow along with Him. As Christ revealed His glory in His ministry, death and resurrection, His mother had to ponder anew His person and work. Revelation, pondered by faith, enlarged her view of Him, along with her trust, love and allegiance for Him.
May this be true of us as Christ enlarges our view of Him, nourishes our faith in Him, and deepens our love for Him. May you grow to “know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19).
Suggestions for prayer
Praise God that He reveals Christ to us in His Word. Pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to enlarge your view of Christ, along with your trust, love and allegiance for Him.
Rev. Richard Zekveld is the pastor of Covenant Fellowship Church (PCA) in South Holland, Illinois, a Chicagoland suburb. Rev. Zekveld, his wife Nancy, and their five children have lived in the community of South Holland for seventeen years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.
