Ponder

Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Dear Friend:

I have been reading a novel written about the birth of Mary till Jesus’ death on the cross. The story caused me to ponder things in my heart just as Mary did

Ponder= think over, wonder about, deliberate.
Mary learned scripture in those days from listening to her Father recite the words of the Torah.
When Mary said “yes” to the plan of Jesus, did she know what the Torah said in detail about the death of Jesus? Did she watch Him grow up knowing that He would be despised and led to the slaughter like a lamb? Did she each year look for the redemption of her suffering? What did she suffer? Her reputation was questioned because of the pregnancy and the limited understanding the family and neighbors had about who was the Father of the baby. Every Passover, did she want Jesus to get up and say “I am the Messiah, the one you are waiting to come?” Did she think everyone would understand and except her Son? Even her other children may have cared more about their right standing with the “Temple” more than knowing and accepting Jesus.

Why did Jesus allow his earthly Father, Joseph, to die? Jesus could have healed Joseph and allowed him to be there with Him at His death. After all Jesus walked with his father on earth each day and Mary could have used the comfort of a husband at the cross. Possibly Joseph understood the scriptures all too well and knew Jesus ending would be a painful one. Did Jesus spare Him of that? Jesus died at 33 years old, surely His Father could have lived that long.

Here is the truth. Jesus was all knowing, because He was God Himself and the plan of redemption was perfect. Each day Jesus did not concern Himself with the earthly matters. He concerned Himself to be in the will of the Father. To walk in the truth and be so highly concerned with the work of the Father that He prayed for the strength to please His Father. Jesus rested in knowing His Father and went about the preparation so He can fulfill what His name means “the Lord saves.”

Mary was human like you and me. Jesus was God. Their responses to things on earth were naturally going to be different. However, we knew Mary was a woman full of grace and God selected her to be the Mother of our Lord. But still she quite possibly could have responded at times with lack of understanding but choosing to trust God.

Questioning Jesus’ redemption story helped me to identify with so many of our own earthly concerns, like death and its timing, the “Easter Story” and the response of each person today living and breathing. I found each character of the story of Jesus’ life still exists today here on earth. Denial of Jesus’ existence is ultimately separation from God and that is the most unforgiveable sin. Mary and the apostles stood by Jesus forever and made it through life with His love, grace and assurance. In this Lenten season we must look around and reflect on the story and decide where we are in the story and have we accepted Jesus’ plan of salvation. Jesus pleaded with the people saying this final prayer to His Father, John 17:3
3Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
Knowing these words of our Lord and Savior, how do you respond to life daily?

Let’s pray: Father help me to see things in my life with your perspective. Lord I pray for those (you may want to name those people) who do not know you. May you give them the faith to believe and receive that you are the Messiah. In Jesus name I Pray. Amen.

Humbly before my Savior,
Elaine