In Luke’s account of the first Christmas, we read a strikingly beautiful line about Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Mary responded to all the events surrounding the birth of Jesus by treasuring them up in her heart and reflecting on them. While the shepherds and Joseph and others talked about the angels and praised God, Mary was silent. She was taking in all that was happening and treasuring it in her heart.
Twelve years later, Mary and her young son traveled to Jerusalem with Joseph and the extended family. When Jesus remained in the city for a few days, Mary and Joseph had to return to search for him. When they finally found him in the temple, how did Mary respond? Once more, she treasured all that happened in her heart.
What were Mary’s treasures? They were all the events and people who filled her life that first Christmas. They were the difficult moments and the answers to prayer, such as when they found Jesus in temple. Yet her greatest treasure, no doubt, was her son, Jesus Christ.
What does it mean that Mary had these treasures in her heart? What does it tell us about her? And what does it mean for us today?
She remembered what others forgot
In Luke’s account of the birth of Christ, he writes from the perspective of Mary. He probably met Mary and personally collected her memories of the events surrounding Jesus’ birth.
When Luke wrote his account of the Christmas story, he noted that Mary was different in that she remembered and kept in her heart what others didn’t. In Luke 2:19, the verse begins with “but.” There is a contrast. Mary is distinct from others who witnessed the birth of Christ. Unlike them, Mary treasured and remembered the many miraculous events and even the difficult moments.
Years later, when Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem in the temple courts, how did Joseph respond? Did he just want to put the episode behind him and forget? We don’t know. But we do know that Mary treasured up all that happened, even remember her son’s perplexing statement about being in his Father’s house.
Yet Mary did more than treasure all the things that happened surrounding the birth of her son and his childhood years.
She believed what others doubted
From her encounter with the angel Gabriel to the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry around the age of 30, Mary believed God and accepted that her son was the long-awaited Messiah who would save Israel.
She struggled with some events in his life. When Jesus was so popular that he couldn’t escape the crowds, she tried to meet with him (Luke 8:19-21). It is likely that she wanted to convince her son to live more normally and sanely. But Jesus wasn’t interested in hearing what she wanted to say. He even said that his mother was actually those who listened to him and followed him. He wanted his mother and those listening to know that following him was more important than respecting family and living according to their desires.
But Mary never mocked or doubted what Jesus said or did, like his brothers and many others. And at the end of his ministry, Mary was with him in Jerusalem and even at the cross.
So, Mary believed what other doubted. She remembered and treasured what others forgot. And because of her faith and love for her son, she did something more.
She lived for Him who others rejected
When Jesus told his disciples that he was going up to Jerusalem to give his life as a ransom, Mary was among those who accompanied him. She was, no doubt, among the women that travelled from Galilee to help him (Luke 23:49, 55).
She also witnessed his death. According to John’s account in John 19:25-27, Mary was at the cross with some other women as well as with John. Jesus was able to see them from the cross. Before he died, he told John to take care of Mary as though she were his own mother; he also told Mary to consider John as her son.
Mary was in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus’ ascension according to Acts 1:14. The fact that Mary was among the believers in Jerusalem suggests that she may have remained in Jerusalem after Jesus’s death. It may have been at this time that her other sons put their faith in Jesus Christ and joined the small band of believers.
The Scriptures do not tell us more about the faith of Mary and her later life. But what we do know shows that she lived for her Son, the Messiah and Savior of Israel.
What will you remember?
Mary treasured up all that happened relating to the birth and life of her son. She remembered. It was her treasure. And her response is a challenge to us today.
What will you remember about Jesus Christ?
We need to slow down and focus on the things that are truly significant. We should remember, ponder, and treasure the events surrounding Jesus Christ’s birth.
We shouldn’t move on to the New Years or the next holiday as though Christmas were just another event to check off on our busy schedule.
What will you believe?
Mary witnessed miraculous event after miraculous event, all revealing that her son, Jesus Christ, was the long-awaited Messiah and Savior of Israel.
When you ponder those events from centuries ago, what do you believe?
Do you recognize Jesus as your Savior, whose life and death is actually the means for being right with God and escaping the judgment you rightly deserve?
Mary believed what the angel Gabriel announced to her about her son. With each subsequent event, Mary believed and grew in her faith in her son.
I hope you will read the remainder of Luke’s account of the life of Jesus Christ. Follow Mary and the disciples as they take part in the life and ministry of Jesus. And may you grow in you understanding and have a true faith in Jesus.
Who will you live for?
Jesus loved his mother more than any son has ever loved his mother. Yet Jesus was not willing to stop what God the Father had sent him to do for the sake of his mom. Quite the contrary, Jesus wanted his mother to follow him as he followed the Father.
And who will you live for?
The holiday season is filled with traditions relating to Jesus Christ. We sing carols that speak of his birth. We give gifts and attend celebrations, even attending church to mark this special time of the year.
It is good to treasure this special time of the year. Our memories of the holidays are indeed a treasure. But without a sincere faith in Christ and commitment to live for Him as Lord and Savior, our traditions are hollow, lacking their intended meaning.
If Jesus is to have any place in our lives, he must have all of our lives. We must live for Him as our Lord and Savior.
Treasure Jesus Christ in your heart
Now that you have reflected on Mary and how she believed in her son, why not join her in believing in Jesus and giving your life to him.
Do you realize that you are like a lost sheep without an owner to guide and protect you? As long as you do not follow Jesus as your shepherd, you are in great spiritual danger.
Jesus often warned the crowds who came to hear him teach that judgment and eternal punishment awaited them. He urged them to seek the narrow and difficult path, the path that is the only way to being right with God. He made it clear that he was the only one who could guide us to that path.
Humbly acknowledge your sin to God and ask him to forgive you on the basis of what Jesus Christ did on your behalf.
May the Holy Spirit move in your heart and bring you to a profound understanding of your guilt before God, your Creator and sovereign Lord. May he give you an overwhelming desire to be forgiven through faith in Jesus Christ. And with forgiveness may you experience the greatest joy this Christmas season.