Sunday, December 9, 2007

DAY NINE: A Thoughtful Faith

When the angel Gabriel greeted Mary, he dropped a bomb in her world. When God broke in and began speaking to her, Luke says that Mary was “much perplexed by his words.” That is a rather tame translation of a description that indicates a mixture of extreme confusion and fear. I think we can understand that reaction.

But where does Mary go with that? The text goes on to say that she “pondered what sort of greeting this might be.” She took the experience deep into her heart and thoughtfully considered its significance. Mary is pictured acting like this also in the Christmas story in Luke 2, where it says, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2.19).

This young woman was apparently a thoughtful, meditative person, who carefully considered God’s Word and the things he did in her life. Given her culture, this is a rather surprising feature of Mary’s life, for women traditionally did not study as men did. Yet she is portrayed here and throughout Luke's Gospel as a disciple, a learner—a blessed person who meditated on the Word day and night (Psalm 1.3). If you read the Magnificat later in this chapter you will discover a hymn of praise that is filled with profound theological understanding of God and his plan of salvation.

Mary was apparently a woman who loved the Lord with all her mind, as well as with her heart and soul. She carefully considered God and his word and actions in her life.

We've already talked about this when looking at Elizabeth, but it bears repeating: don't miss the opportunity this Advent and Christmas season provides to meditate on God's words and works in bringing us salvation and filling our lives with his blessings in Christ.

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