Pondering God’s Plan
Luke 1:26-38
Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. — Luke 2:19
Mary was a young girl, a virgin, who was engaged and anticipating her upcoming marriage to Joseph. Very likely, her wedding plans were made, and she looked forward to living a normal life with her husband in Nazareth. Then one day God came to Mary and told her she would be the mother of the Savior, the Son of God. Mary pondered on this revelation, wondering how all this would come about. Mary responded in faith, “I am the Lord’s servant. . . . May your word to me be fulfilled.” She was a willing servant of the Lord. This was obviously unexpected, but her response tells us that no matter where God’s adventure would take her, she was willing to go.
As the days pass, something as unspiritual as a census took Mary, now pregnant, and Joseph, on a journey to Bethlehem. Had God made preparations for Mary and Joseph to spend the night in Bethlehem’s most luxurious hotel? Did it just happen that all the rooms were filled before they arrived in Bethlehem? No and No.
God’s plan was in motion. His Son, Jesus Christ, who was to become the Humble Servant, was to be born in humble circumstances. So, Mary gave birth to her son, the Savior of the world, there in the cattle stall. His first bed was the feeding trough. This thought reminds me of something Jesus said later to one who was reluctant to follow Him – Luke 9:58 – “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”
In obedience to God, they named him Jesus, because he would be the Savior of the world. Guided by a great light, a group of local shepherds showed up, along with a choir of angels. And, with that, the first worship service of the new born Savior broke out.
Again, Mary reflected on these things as other events happened.
As she pondered, they received a visit from “wise men” from the East.
She, Joseph and Jesus escaped by fleeing into Egypt as instructed by an angel who warned Joseph in a dream. King Herod, who feared losing his power with this new king’s birth, ordered all boys to be slain to be sure he eliminated this threat to his power.
After her son grew to be a man and spent about 30 years being about His father’s business, Mary watched as he son died on a cross. Because Mary responded in faith, the Bible calls her blessed, for she believed what the Lord had said (Luke 1:45).
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, the coming of the Christ Child, we have a question to ponder.
Are you willing to take God at his Word? Whatever your circumstances? Are you ready to believe in Jesus as your Savior? He is God’s love displayed for all the world to see and know.
Gary K. Fair
Princeton Christian Church
08 December 2020
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