Ponder of the Week
Week 5/18-24/2025 Suggested Scripture to Ponder this week:
Luke 2:7-9; 25-33; 42-51
* Read and reread the scripture each day.
* Ask God to show you His truth through His Word.
* Ponder the scripture as you go about your day.
* Keep a record of your spiritual growth and understanding.
See thoughts on how to ponder on the "'Ponder' of the Week" main page and on the HOME page
Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:17-19
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... he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: "Lord, now You are letting your servant depart in peace according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel." And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Luke 2:28-33
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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. Luke 2:51
Nativity: The Adoration of the Shepherds
by Gerard van Honthorst 1622
Commentary:
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This is not just a story for Christmas. Mary's life is an important example of how to grow and be strong in the Lord.
Mary lived in the middle of an emotional whirlwind. The promise of God through His angel had been fulfilled, and Mary gave birth to her first son. Then shepherds arrived with a fantastic story. Their excitement and amazement would have been electric.
Mary listened and pondered.
When she and Joseph took baby Jesus to the temple, here was Simeon, blessing them, and prophesying the future of this little child. When Jesus was only twelve years old, He was found discussing the things of God with learned teachers. This was no ordinary child. She had known this all along but in the familiar routine of daily life, these events must still have been startling.
The Bible tells us Mary remembered all these things and thought about them.
Psalm 1:21 says to meditate on the Word day and night. That seems almost impossible in this busy world, unless I make it a priority. However busy I may be, I always find time for what is most important to me. It is of highest importance to set aside time to study the Word and then think on it, making God's word my solid foundation in the midst of my busyness.
Mary had some tough days ahead. She would see her son rejected, tortured and killed. The things she stored up in her heart would give her the depth of trust in God she would need to live through these overwhelming events and continue to be a faithful believer. She was no superficial Christian blown about by emotions. She had deep roots in the Lord.
When I read the Word, instead of an immediate emotional (or unemotional) response, here today and gone in five minutes, I need to think and rethink about God's revelations to me. I should follow Mary's example and strive for deep roots that will keep me anchored through the dark and difficult times, and keep me growing upward into His holiness (I Peter 1:15-16).
Father, help me to slow down and make it a priority to truly ponder Your Word and Your work in my life. Help me to see Your hand in my life and the world around me. Help me to ponder Your word faithfully. Show me what You want me to learn and help me to receive it and keep it in a willing heart. Thank You for being Who You are, and for revealing even a small part of Your kingdom to me.