God's Pondering Servant
Scripture Reading — Luke 1:26-38
Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Mary had her share of struggles. Her wedding plans were made, and she looked forward to living a normal life with her husband in Nazareth. Then one day God stepped into her life and told her she would be the mother of the Savior, the Son of God. Mary responded in faith, “I am the Lord’s servant. . . . May your word to me be fulfilled.” She was all in, no matter where God’s adventure would take her.
Mary’s journey took her with Joseph to Bethlehem. She gave birth there and placed her firstborn son in a manger. In obedience to God, they named him Jesus, because he would be the Savior of the world. A group of local shepherds showed up without an invitation, babbling about a bright light in the night and a choir of angels, and then they rushed off with shouts of praise. Wow! Mary reflected on these things, struggling to put them together.
Mary kept on pondering: they received a visit from “wise men” from the East and escaped a massacre by the local king (Matthew 2), and later she watched her son die on a cross. Because Mary responded in faith, the Bible calls her blessed, for she believed what the Lord had said (Luke 1:45).
It’s Christmas Eve tonight. Are you willing to take God at his word, no matter your circumstances, and believe in Jesus as your Savior? God’s love, displayed for all the world in Jesus, will never let you go.
Father God, increase our faith daily. We know you love us. Guide us to serve and honor you wherever you call us to go. Amen.
About the author — John Van Schepen
Dr. John Van Schepen is a retired pastor who served churches in Washington, Wisconsin, Indiana, Oregon and California. He and his wife, Willie, have been blessed with five children and several grandchildren.
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