Mary's Treasure

                                                                                                                                                

Aloha Dearest Family,

                Today we will examine how God worked with Mary to build up and encourage her for the mission given to her by Him. She would not only give birth to the Messiah, but raise him as well. The meaning of this one child would be more important than any other who came before. How do you prepare for such an assignment? Let’s look at what God revealed to her at the start.

                “..God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”  (Luke 1:26-35) 

This is quite a proclamation. This promise was 4,000 years in the making (since Adam). But God is always true to His promises. She would need God’s help and encouragement to fulfill this assignment.

                Shortly after Mary agreed to this monumental task, she goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who herself is also pregnant. While she is there both Elizabeth and her husband Zachariah encourage her with prophetic words from God.

                Six months later she is in Bethlehem with her husband Joseph where she finally gives birth to Jesus-the long awaited promised seed (see Genesis 3:15). Now around the same time as  this joyous event, shepherds were in the field around Bethlehem tending their sheep.

                “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:8-15)

These shepherds could not wait to go and see this child for themselves. “

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” (verses 16-18) 

These shepherds were not silent about what they had just experienced. They told everybody they met and all that heard them were amazed. Guess who else heard their words? Mary. Think how these words must have thrilled her. This is something she would always remember.

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (verse 19) 

What she heard would be her own personal treasure and she pondered them in her heart. To ponder means “to meditate upon, to go over and over in your mind, to contemplate deeply about.” These words of the shepherds must have thrilled her heart and greatly encouraged her. She was once again reminded that God was faithful to His promises.

  

In the Temple

Eight days later Mary and Joseph were in the temple at Jerusalem where the baby was circumcised and named. When they were there, they met a man named Simeon, who prophesied about this child.

“Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 3:28-32) 

Both Joseph and Mary were astounded at these words, encouraging them further. But Simeon also told of heartbreak to come to Mary. 

“This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

 About this time a prophetess came in and also spoke encouraging words regarding the little boy, Jesus. I’m sure Mary made all these words her secret treasure. She must have pondered upon and meditated on these words and happenings for many years to come.

 

The Magi 

 

About a year and a half later, a caravan of Magi from the East showed up at their front door step. (This must have been quite a sight since Bethlehem was a small town). After the Magi presented their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh (gifts given to kings), Mary and Joseph must have listened intently to their incredible story of how they saw his particular star in the East (in the rising) and what it meant. This was also further encouragement God gave this young couple that God was taking care of them. They would need this final encouragement for they would soon flee to Egypt, for King Herod would seek out the boy’s life. But throughout all their trials in life, God was faithful in all that He promised.

All these words that were spoken about her son were electrifying and she must have treasured every memory of his young life. Even the memory of when Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem at the age of 12. She still kept these memories as her own personal treasure.

“Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.” 

                          Love Always, Ray