MARY DID YOU KNOW?

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

MARY DID YOU KNOW?

Luke 2:16-19

16 And they [the shepherds] came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad [told it everywhere] the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

           Mark Lowery wrote the words to the song Mary did you know which asks if Jesus’ mother could have possibly known all the truths wrapped up in swaddling clothes. Luke records, in these verses, that Mary became an instant and an intense student of her special son.

           The word “kept” is the Greek word suntereo which means “to keep closely together; to conserve; to remember.” I get the image of a forensic investigator gathering scraps and bits of evidence so as to piece together the truth. Mary kept every piece close by so she could know the truth.

           The word “pondered” is the Greek word sumballo which literally means “to combine.” All the fragments were combined like so many puzzle pieces with jagged edges. When the edges matched the picture became larger and clearer. It began to make sense.

           From the very beginning Mary must have felt that her baby belonged to the world and not to herself alone. In fact, the angel said in Luke 1:35, “that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” God’s purpose for this baby would rip him from her protective arms. In the Temple, at his circumcision and dedication, Mary was given two more scraps of information to ponder.

Luke 2:34-35

34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Dear Lord, let us also gather the scraps and pieces of information given to us in your Word. Illuminate our minds and open our hearts as we ponder them. AMEN