All three recordings of Mary pondering
something in her heart were about Jesus, her son, our Lord.
- Luke 1:29 -
when angel Gabriel told her she would have a son
- Luke 2:19 - at
Jesus' birth
- Luke 2:51 - when Jesus was 12 years old
“The word for “ponder,” σνμβάλλουνσα means to “preserve,” “treasure,” “protect and defend.” The same word is used in the LXX of Jacob’s puzzling over the meaning of Joseph’s dreams (Genesis 37:11). This word is in the imperfect tense, connoting something ongoing; thus, “to continue to ruminate,” even “to wrestle with.”[5] The thought that occurs to me is this: “How often am I content just to think, wrestle with, ruminate over something.” It is quick to “Google” something, check AI, or even consult resources. Mary had not known of those. She did know her Old Testament. As these events occurred in the life of Jesus, Luke took the opportunity to note that Mary just pondered, thought deeply about them. How did Luke know that? Mary must have told him or at least told someone that Luke interviewed for his Gospel. Luke must have thought it important that his readers were made aware of Mary’s reaction. He must have thought that this was important for us to know.
Mary has often been presented to us as a notable example of Christian discipleship. Perhaps her significant times of quiet, thoughtful meditation, wrestling with the profound truth before her, is one example we need to emulate? I am reminded of what Paul wrote to Timothy: “Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.”[6] When was the last time any of us just pondered; just pondered for hours, days, months, years? Just pondered. The late Dr. Gresham Machen profoundly affirms, “When any new fact enters the human mind it must proceed to make itself at home; it must proceed to introduce itself to the previous denizens of the house. That process of introduction of new facts is called thinking.”[7]
I
used to make a joke with my girls when they asked for something that I never
intended to give them or allow them. I would say, “Let me think about it,
no.” What was meant to be humour can
often be reality in our world. We speak without thinking. I’m guilty. We think
it reflects poorly on us if we do not always have a ready response. Perhaps,
like Mary, we should ponder more. I recently read an excerpt from a Christmas
article by Dr. Sinclair Ferguson. I immediately thought, “This man has been
pondering.” Note what he wrote:
“It’s staggering to the intellect. Indeed, I think one can say, if your intellect has never been staggered by the reality of the incarnation, you don’t know what incarnation means. It doesn’t mean Jesus was a little baby. It means the eternal, infinite, divine One, worshipped by Cherubim and Seraphim, Creator of all things, sustainer of all things, infinite in His being, wisdom, power, majesty, glory, who at a word could dissolve the world that had sinned against Him was willing to come into this world and assume our flesh in order to become our Saviour. It’s overwhelming.” [8]
Of all the possible options Mary had as she heard about and then gazed at her baby, the Scriptures teach us that she pondered, thought, reflected, wrestled wth this staggering reality that God, not giving up anything, but adding to Himself humanity was her baby and the Saviour of the World.
Mary,
through the Gospel of Luke, has challenged me to ponder more. What about you? Similar
to Ferguson’s thoughts, have we really pondered the Incarnation — the coming
of God in the flesh, the God-Man, into this world? What was Mary thinking as
she looked down at her baby? What did she think when she knew he was in debate
with the religious leaders of his day, even at age twelve? As she looked into
His face did all those well-known prophecies of the Messiah come flooding back?
What did she marvel at when Simeon said, “Behold, this child is appointed for
the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a
sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many
hearts may be revealed.”[9] What was she thinking when she sang these
words:
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”[10]
Christmas provides
for us the call for peace, for joy, for family and love. Christmas calls to
worship. Is it possible that Christmas also invites us to ponder, to think — to
think deeply, wrestling with the “staggering” truths that are before us?
[1] But she was
greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this
might be.” - The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Lk 1:29). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
[2] And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told
them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds
told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”
-The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Lk
2:17–19). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
[3] To keep carefully in her mind.
[4] The Holy3
Bible: English Standard Version (Lk 2:51). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
[5] Edwards, James R., Pillar Commentary Series, The Gospel According
to Luke, Eerdman’s Publishing, Grand Rapids, MI, 2105
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (2 Ti 2:6–7). (2016). Crossway
Bibles.
[7] Gresham Machen, What Is Faith? (1937;
repr. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1991), 242.
[8] https://www.ligonier.org/posts/why-god-man?srsltid=AfmBOoqSjxeMV8auvlwLpQDSTjfq-yYiII64jPvB-gLQ7wvMZ2HIUwv_
[9] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Lk
2:34–35). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
[10] The Holy
Bible: English Standard Version (Lk 1:46–47). (2016). Crossway
Bibles.
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