12/22/19 - Treasured or Amazed? - Luke 2:15-38

The fist half of Luke chapter 2 contains a well known account of Jesus’ birth. But it might surprise you to know that the rest of the chapter takes an interesting turn. What more could Luke want us to know? Perhaps the most important part: What is your response to the birth?

When they (shepherds) had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:17-19

Those who heard of Jesus’ birth were amazed. I mean, come on you have to admit the story is pretty spectacular. However, Mary’s response was different. This teenage girl treasured it. The word treasured means to think, to contemplate. She asked herself the all-important question - What does the birth of Jesus mean to me? Luke closes out the chapter by introducing us to two elderly saints named Simeon and Anna. Both were led by the Spirit and knew God’s word. Because of this they had been awaiting the birth of the messiah. Simeon actually held Jesus in his arms and you know what he said? He said this, “Now I can die in peace.” That’s a statement that everyone wants to make but not everyone can. Jesus brought peace to Simeon’s life and death because that baby was Simeon’s savior.

Anna was married only seven years when her husband died and for many years after she lived as a widow. Her dreams of a glorious life growing old with the man she loved were cut short. Now she is 84 and and carries the experience of deep loss but not bitterness. Instead she remained faithful to God and was rewarded. She too saw the baby born to save.

It is deeply wrong for the aged Christian to throw in the towel and let the heart retire from the fervent devotion of a bygone time. Just look at Simeon and Anna. They had the privilege of beholding Jesus face to face before they died and yet one day we all will see Jesus face to face. Consider young Mary. She had her whole life to experience the joy of living in obedience to the promises of God. After all, she had a front row seat to the greatest promise of all!