After the shepherds visited Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus, Luke 2:19 tells us that “Mary treasured up all these things. And pondered them in her heart.” When Jesus was twelve years old Mary and Joseph took him to Jerulsalem for the Festival of the Passover. When they were returning home, Mary and Joseph realized Jesus was not with them. They went back and found Jesus at the temple teaching. After, “Mary treasured all these things in her heart.” (Luke 2:51) I wonder what her ponderings were as she was at the foot of the cross?
According to Webster to treasure is to collect and store up something of value for future use; to hold or keep as precious. To ponder is to weigh in the mind; to think about; reflect. Paul encourages us to ponder: whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. (Phil. 4:8)
Mary suffered much: loneliness, ridicule, grief, death of her son, sorrow. She remembered her conversations, events, scriptures and pondered them in her heart inspite of her suffering. Scripture doesn’t tell us for sure but I imagine Mary continued to believe that God was good in the midst of immense sorrow, loss, and pain. In those times our faith, the treasures of our heart, is tested by fire and becomes gold.
Sorrow is a reality of life. Let it be a tool to find deeper intamacy with God. Ponder Scripture, what is true, good, lovely, noble, pure, admirable, right and praiseworthy. There we will find God in a more intimate way. Then can we treasure the trial as one of God’s greatest gifts to us. We can treasure what God has and is doing in our life.
What are you pondering?
On the journey,
Trish