Christmas Challenges (Part Four)
The Challenge Of The Future
"But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in here heart."
(Luke 2:19)
The gospel writer Luke makes a stunning statement concerning Mary's response to all the happenings surrounding the birth of Jesus. He says that Mary "pondered" or "weighed" all these things in her heart. The popular song asks Mary the question: "Mary Did You Know?"
In essence, Mary did you really get a hold of the significance of this special Child that you brought into the world? How important was His mission to be the 'Savior" of the world?
I can't help but think that in this pondering, Mary is thinking about the future for God's baby Boy. How will the future events play out in the life of Jesus? How will this special Child of God deal with the challenge of the future?
As we look at our own lives, how do we deal with the challenge of the future? Is it with excitement, or is it with great dread? We will be coming into a new year of 2023; and in this new year, what will motivate us to enter it with confidence and enthusiasm?
The Hebrew writer has some words concerning the attitude that Jesus held as He faced the challenge of the future. "...looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God." (Hebrews 12:2) Did Jesus have joy in the experience of the cross? Certainly not! His joy was founded in in what the cross would mean for the world...for you and me.
Like Mary we can "ponder" how Jesus has made a difference in our lives; in our past, and present. No doubt life is made up of ups and downs, twists and turns. And the Lord Jesus Christ keeps us in the balance when our circumstances crumble around us.
Our foundation of Jesus Christ is strong and sure. As Mary saw this Child that she carried, was victorious all the way to eternity; we like her, can hold on to a great hope for the future. That whatever comes our way, we know that the Lord Jesus Christ will help us to be victorious, and to arrive safely to our eternal home! (John 14:1-3)