Merry Christmas SanLo Community! An update for the week of December 25, 2011…
Thank you to Pastor Brian Tekawa for the message from Luke 2:17-20, “Pondering His Presence.” This message concludes our Christmas series “Light of Salvation,” which focused on the gift of Jesus. Sadly, giving and receiving gifts has become such a major part of Christmas that Jesus is often neglected or overlooked. Christmas for some is a treasured time for family gatherings. Others treasure time off from school or work. Studying the story of Jesus’ birth according to Luke, we are reminded of the meaning of Christmas and God’s remarkable gift of Jesus. Think about what is important to you. What is it you value? What do you commit your time to? What do you treasure?
Luke 2:19, “But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.” There are two points here to remember. To TREASURE Jesus, and to PONDER the treasures of Jesus. The shepherds had come from the fields and told Mary all that had happened to them. Mary listened, took it all in, and treasured them in her heart.
1) TREASURE Jesus. Mary treasured (suntereo – to keep close, preserve, guard), preserved and kept close to her heart all that the shepherds had said. “All these things” likely included all the previous experiences Mary had with Jesus. Can you imagine Mary’s wonder and awe as she treasured those moments? What was Mary thinking as she heard about the angel, Gabriel, speaking to Elizabeth’s husband Zacharias? They were told they would soon give birth to a son even though Elizabeth was well beyond her child rearing days. They were even instructed to name their son John, who was later known as John the Baptist. Soon after, Gabriel talks to Mary who is not yet married but engaged to Joseph. Gabriel informs her she too will give birth to a son and call Him Jesus. When Mary went to see her relative Elizabeth, who was six months pregnant, Elizabeth greeted Mary, as “the mother of my Lord” affirming the incredible prophecy over Mary.
During this time, the Roman ruler Caesar Augustus, ordered the first census to account for all people in the Roman empire. Joseph and Mary travelled three days from Nazareth to Bethlehem. While in Bethlehem, Jesus was born and at the same time, shepherds in the field were surprised by an angel of the Lord who suddenly appeared before them in a spectacular way. This angel arrived with the glory of the Lord shining all around them. They were so terribly afraid the shepherds had to be calmed by the angel who said, “Do not be afraid for I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the City of David there is born for you a Savior who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Then there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God exclaiming, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” “Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.” The Bible tells us in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” What you treasure is what you value and commit to. You treasure what you spend your time, thought and resources on.
Again, verse 19, “But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.”
2) PONDER the treasures of Jesus. Ponder (sumballo - to consider, bring together, to throw together, hence to discuss.) Mary considered all that was happening, gathering all her thoughts and reminding herself of all that she learned about Jesus. These thoughts that Mary pondered were remarkable and unique. Mary had immeasurable treasures to ponder. Consider how God, the Creator of this earth and the universe, desires to interact with you.
Have a blessed Christmas season as you ponder the treasures you have with Jesus,
Stan , for SLZJCC
P.S. Sunday School is canceled for January 1, 2012, but please do come for the 10:45am worship services.