No need to fret over it, the good Lord has His reasons, it’s just that I don’t always understand them.”
–D.C. Adkisson (The True and Unbiased Life of Elias Butler)
“Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.”
–Ephesians 5:17(Amplified)
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Let’s look at another one of those simple, yet profound verses of Scripture:
“But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” –Luke 2:19 (NKJV)
“But Mary stored up these things in her memory and in her heart kept wondering what they meant.” –Luke 2:19 (Barclay)
After the angel spoke with her I do not think she had questions regarding the accuracy of the birth of Jesus. She was a direct recipient, but I do think she did not understand all that was happening. This verse speaks of the time up to and immediately after the birth of Jesus. At the Temple, shortly after, there is the encounter with Anna and Simeon. What did Mary think? She must have added to her thoughts.
The next time we see Jesus missing. Joseph and Mary didn’t even look for Him immediately, but when they did and started looking they found Him at the Temple with the scholars. Mary scolded Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” (Luke 2:48, NKJV) Remember Jesus’ reply? “‘…Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?’ But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.” (Luke 2:49-50, NKJV) I’m sure frowns were etched on their foreheads, and Mary had to add this to her pondering. In fact, verse 51 implies this, “Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.”
For a moment, consider Mary and what she did. In her memory she kept all these things. In her affections she kept them in her heart, and in her intellect she pondered them. In other words, in her total being she thought about Jesus. (Spurgeon) Perhaps we do not understand the term “ponder.” We often use it when we say we are thinking of something, but it is more than that. The Greek word (sumballo) means “to throw together; to put one thing with another in considering circumstances.” Merriam-Webster states it this way, “to think or consider especially quietly, soberly, and deeply.” A good way to define ponder is “to weigh.” Weigh all the things you know–through your memory, through your affections, and through your intellect. We, all of us, in one way or another must weigh who Jesus is. We must place Him on our scales of judgment and come up with a conclusion–accept or reject.
We are to be no different than Mary. We are to remember what we have heard of the Lord Jesus and what He has done for us. Yes, take time to ponder (weigh) that! “Let your memory treasure up everything about Christ which you have either felt, or known, or believed, and then let your fond affections hold Him fast for evermore” (Charles H. Spurgeon). In other words with your whole being grasp hold of Jesus. Spurgeon continues with his thoughts, “Let your intellect be exercised concerning the Lord Jesus. Meditate upon what you read: stop not at the surface; dive into the depths.”
Don’t groan because of your lack of understanding, but do the best you can for even a little knowledge is something gained. We will never totally comprehend this God/Man who through His sacrifice brought redemption and restoration to mankind. Grace? How can it ever be fully understood? Use your whole being to try to grasp Jesus; to ponder Him in your hearts. Let me finish with one more thought from Spurgeon. “If your understanding cannot comprehend, let your affections apprehend; and if your spirit cannot compass the Lord Jesus in the grasp of understanding, let it embrace Him in the arms of affection.”
—————————–
Let’s look at another one of those simple, yet profound verses of Scripture:
“But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” –Luke 2:19 (NKJV)
“But Mary stored up these things in her memory and in her heart kept wondering what they meant.” –Luke 2:19 (Barclay)
After the angel spoke with her I do not think she had questions regarding the accuracy of the birth of Jesus. She was a direct recipient, but I do think she did not understand all that was happening. This verse speaks of the time up to and immediately after the birth of Jesus. At the Temple, shortly after, there is the encounter with Anna and Simeon. What did Mary think? She must have added to her thoughts.
The next time we see Jesus missing. Joseph and Mary didn’t even look for Him immediately, but when they did and started looking they found Him at the Temple with the scholars. Mary scolded Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” (Luke 2:48, NKJV) Remember Jesus’ reply? “‘…Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?’ But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.” (Luke 2:49-50, NKJV) I’m sure frowns were etched on their foreheads, and Mary had to add this to her pondering. In fact, verse 51 implies this, “Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.”
For a moment, consider Mary and what she did. In her memory she kept all these things. In her affections she kept them in her heart, and in her intellect she pondered them. In other words, in her total being she thought about Jesus. (Spurgeon) Perhaps we do not understand the term “ponder.” We often use it when we say we are thinking of something, but it is more than that. The Greek word (sumballo) means “to throw together; to put one thing with another in considering circumstances.” Merriam-Webster states it this way, “to think or consider especially quietly, soberly, and deeply.” A good way to define ponder is “to weigh.” Weigh all the things you know–through your memory, through your affections, and through your intellect. We, all of us, in one way or another must weigh who Jesus is. We must place Him on our scales of judgment and come up with a conclusion–accept or reject.
We are to be no different than Mary. We are to remember what we have heard of the Lord Jesus and what He has done for us. Yes, take time to ponder (weigh) that! “Let your memory treasure up everything about Christ which you have either felt, or known, or believed, and then let your fond affections hold Him fast for evermore” (Charles H. Spurgeon). In other words with your whole being grasp hold of Jesus. Spurgeon continues with his thoughts, “Let your intellect be exercised concerning the Lord Jesus. Meditate upon what you read: stop not at the surface; dive into the depths.”
Don’t groan because of your lack of understanding, but do the best you can for even a little knowledge is something gained. We will never totally comprehend this God/Man who through His sacrifice brought redemption and restoration to mankind. Grace? How can it ever be fully understood? Use your whole being to try to grasp Jesus; to ponder Him in your hearts. Let me finish with one more thought from Spurgeon. “If your understanding cannot comprehend, let your affections apprehend; and if your spirit cannot compass the Lord Jesus in the grasp of understanding, let it embrace Him in the arms of affection.”