Embracing the Call: Treasuring and Pondering God's Gifts

 

Summary

In the Advent season, we are invited to reflect on the profound responses of those who first encountered Jesus. The shepherds, upon hearing the angelic announcement, hurried to Bethlehem to witness the miracle of Christ's birth. Their eagerness to see and share the good news exemplifies a proactive faith that seeks understanding and action. This narrative challenges us to consider how we respond to divine revelations in our lives. Sometimes, like the shepherds, we must hurry towards what God is doing, embracing the urgency of His call.

Mary's response, however, offers a different but equally profound model. She treasured and pondered the events surrounding Jesus' birth. This was not a passive or quiet reflection but an active engagement with the mysteries of God. Mary’s pondering was akin to the work of prophets, seeking to understand God's actions and their implications for the world. Her ability to treasure and ponder highlights the importance of preserving and reflecting on God's work in our lives, ensuring that we remember and understand His actions and promises.

Mary's role as a "peasant theologian" is significant. She was the first to articulate the themes of Jesus' life and mission, recognizing the potential for human life and the great inversion of societal norms that Jesus would embody. Her Magnificat reveals a deep understanding of God's justice and mercy, themes that Jesus would later expand upon. Mary's insights challenge us to consider what we treasure and ponder in our own lives. Are we storing up God's words and actions in our hearts, and are we seeking to understand their significance?

As we journey through Advent, we are invited to treasure and ponder the gifts and mysteries of God. We are called to reflect on what we hold dear and to seek understanding in the midst of confusion and uncertainty. In doing so, we align ourselves with the shepherds and Mary, participating in the unfolding story of God's redemption.

Key Takeaways:

1. Proactive Faith: The shepherds' immediate response to the angelic message was to hurry to Bethlehem, demonstrating a proactive faith that seeks to witness and understand God's work. This challenges us to be active participants in God's story, responding with urgency and enthusiasm to His call. [00:58]

2. Treasuring and Pondering: Mary's response to the events surrounding Jesus' birth was to treasure and ponder them in her heart. This active engagement with God's mysteries invites us to preserve and reflect on His work in our lives, ensuring that we remember and understand His promises. [02:36]

3. Mary as a Theologian: Mary is portrayed as a "peasant theologian," the first to articulate the themes of Jesus' life and mission. Her insights into God's justice and mercy challenge us to consider the theological implications of our faith and how we live it out. [09:34]

4. The Great Inversion: Mary's Magnificat reveals the theme of the great inversion, where God exalts the lowly and overturns societal norms. This challenges us to embrace humility and service, recognizing that true greatness lies in serving others. [11:36]

5. Invitation to Reflect: We are invited to treasure and ponder the gifts and mysteries of God in our own lives. By reflecting on what we hold dear and seeking understanding in confusion, we align ourselves with the unfolding story of God's redemption. [14:18]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:29] - Advent and the Gospel of Luke
- [00:43] - The Shepherds' Response
- [01:10] - The Role of Hurry
- [01:35] - Mary Treasures and Ponders
- [02:07] - Mary's Encounter with Gabriel
- [02:51] - Jesus at the Temple
- [03:32] - Misconceptions about Mary
- [04:27] - The Significance of Treasuring
- [05:51] - The Unreliability of Memory
- [07:02] - Mary's Deliberate Recollection
- [08:26] - The Act of Pondering
- [09:34] - Mary as a Peasant Theologian
- [10:51] - The Great Inversion
- [14:18] - Invitation to Treasure and Ponder

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Advent Reflections

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 2:16-20
2. Luke 1:28-29
3. Luke 1:46-55 (The Magnificat)

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the shepherds' immediate reaction upon hearing the angelic announcement, and how did they respond to it? [00:43]

2. How does the sermon describe Mary's reaction to the events surrounding Jesus' birth, and what actions did she take as a result? [02:36]

3. According to the sermon, what role does Mary play in understanding the themes of Jesus' life and mission? [09:34]

4. What is the significance of the "great inversion" as described in Mary's Magnificat, and how does it challenge societal norms? [11:36]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the shepherds' proactive faith challenge us to respond to God's revelations in our own lives? What does it mean to "hurry" towards what God is doing? [00:58]

2. In what ways does Mary's act of treasuring and pondering serve as a model for engaging with God's work in our lives? How can this practice deepen our understanding of His promises? [02:36]

3. How does the sermon portray Mary as a "peasant theologian," and what insights does she offer about God's justice and mercy? [09:34]

4. What does the theme of the "great inversion" in Mary's Magnificat reveal about God's kingdom, and how might this influence our perspective on humility and service? [11:36]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt a sense of urgency to respond to God's call. How did you act, and what was the outcome? How can you cultivate a proactive faith like the shepherds? [00:58]

2. Consider the things you currently treasure and ponder in your heart. Are they aligned with God's work and promises? How can you actively engage with these reflections in your daily life? [02:36]

3. Mary's insights into God's justice and mercy challenge us to consider the theological implications of our faith. How can you incorporate these themes into your understanding and practice of faith? [09:34]

4. The "great inversion" suggests that true greatness lies in serving others. Identify a specific way you can embrace humility and service in your community this week. [11:36]

5. As you journey through Advent, what gifts and mysteries of God are you invited to treasure and ponder? How can you create space in your life to reflect on these during this season? [14:18]

6. How can you, like Mary, preserve and reflect on God's work in your life to ensure you remember and understand His actions and promises? What practical steps can you take to document or meditate on these experiences? [05:51]

7. In moments of confusion or uncertainty, how can you seek understanding and align yourself with the unfolding story of God's redemption? What resources or practices might support you in this journey? [14:49]

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace Urgency in Faith
The shepherds' response to the angelic message was immediate and filled with urgency. They hurried to Bethlehem to witness the miracle of Christ's birth, demonstrating a proactive faith that seeks to witness and understand God's work. This narrative challenges us to consider how we respond to divine revelations in our lives. Are we quick to act when God calls us, or do we hesitate? The shepherds' eagerness exemplifies a faith that is not passive but actively seeks to engage with God's unfolding story. Their actions remind us that sometimes, like the shepherds, we must hurry towards what God is doing, embracing the urgency of His call. [00:58]

Luke 2:15-16 (ESV): "When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.' And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger."

Reflection: Think of a recent moment when you felt God prompting you to act. How can you respond with urgency and enthusiasm to His call today?


Day 2: Active Engagement with God's Mysteries
Mary's response to the events surrounding Jesus' birth was to treasure and ponder them in her heart. This was not a passive or quiet reflection but an active engagement with the mysteries of God. Mary's pondering was akin to the work of prophets, seeking to understand God's actions and their implications for the world. Her ability to treasure and ponder highlights the importance of preserving and reflecting on God's work in our lives, ensuring that we remember and understand His actions and promises. This invites us to actively engage with God's mysteries, preserving and reflecting on His work in our lives. [02:36]

Psalm 77:11-12 (ESV): "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds."

Reflection: What recent event in your life can you treasure and ponder today, seeking to understand its significance in God's plan?


Day 3: Mary as a Theologian of Justice and Mercy
Mary is portrayed as a "peasant theologian," the first to articulate the themes of Jesus' life and mission. Her insights into God's justice and mercy challenge us to consider the theological implications of our faith and how we live it out. Mary's Magnificat reveals a deep understanding of God's justice and mercy, themes that Jesus would later expand upon. Her role challenges us to consider what we treasure and ponder in our own lives. Are we storing up God's words and actions in our hearts, and are we seeking to understand their significance? [09:34]

Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Reflection: How can you embody God's justice and mercy in your daily interactions with others today?


Day 4: Embracing the Great Inversion
Mary's Magnificat reveals the theme of the great inversion, where God exalts the lowly and overturns societal norms. This challenges us to embrace humility and service, recognizing that true greatness lies in serving others. The great inversion is a call to live counter-culturally, valuing humility over pride and service over self-interest. Mary's insights challenge us to consider how we can live out this inversion in our own lives, embracing the values of God's kingdom. [11:36]

1 Corinthians 1:27-28 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are."

Reflection: In what ways can you serve someone in your community today, embodying the humility and service that Jesus exemplified?


Day 5: Reflecting on God's Gifts and Mysteries
As we journey through Advent, we are invited to treasure and ponder the gifts and mysteries of God. We are called to reflect on what we hold dear and to seek understanding in the midst of confusion and uncertainty. In doing so, we align ourselves with the shepherds and Mary, participating in the unfolding story of God's redemption. This reflection invites us to consider what we hold dear and to seek understanding in the midst of confusion and uncertainty, aligning ourselves with the unfolding story of God's redemption. [14:18]

Colossians 3:2-3 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Reflection: What is one mystery or gift from God that you can focus on today, seeking deeper understanding and alignment with His will?

Quotes

"Let's go and see let's investigate let's examine let's take a look Let's Take Action let's follow up that's a really good attitude to have in life so they hurried off I'll just note here we often think about our problem is we hurry too much and often we do but in the very first Christmas Story uh we saw when the angel had come to Mary she hurried she could not wait to go see Elizabeth and now the Shepherds Hur they cannot wait to go check this out sometimes hurry is good." [00:56:16]

"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart the Shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen which were just as they had been told I want to uh give you a couple of statements from uh Luke's story and you'll notice one word in particular in the first chapter when uh the angel Gabriel comes to Mary and says these words that we keep living with greetings Rejoice favored one the Lord is with you." [01:06:88]

"Mary is not actually a quiet docile person um she actually kind of pushes back against an Angel when she first talks with him uh in a very unexpected way she takes a long difficult dangerous journey and hurries on it to go see Elizabeth so that she can talk together with her the magnificant will come back to that's one of the most remarkable utterance in the history of humanity that's Mary um when she and Joseph go to Temple it's not Joseph that says to Jesus what are you doing where you've been it's Mary that does it." [04:92:16]

"When it talks about Mary treasuring these things the idea is to preserve a knowledge uh important piece of information or a memory so that you can have it available for future use part of why this is important is human memory is notoriously unreliable there's all kind of research about this in one survey the average person thinks of our memory as working like a video camera well over 90% of academicians who do research in the field of memory say no it's not like that at all." [05:37:80]

"Mary is the one person who deliberately uh decides that she will try to store this stuff up that she will try to gain uh an accurate recollection of it very possibly she wrote it down Luke says that he's basing his writing on eyewitness testimony where do you think he got his material on the beginnings of Jesus life and folks who do research around this sort of thing will say the most likely source for this would have been Mary to use a current historical term she would have been the primary source of which Luke becomes a secondary source." [07:26:52]

"Pondering is a word that was used of prophets in the Old Testament when there are events going on in the world and nobody's quite sure what has got up to what does this mean what's the significance of this how does this fit into a grander story and they do that not so that they can be quiet this is not a little Hallmark moment you know for Isaiah or Jeremiah or Amos they're going to come out with some pretty thunderous statements about that um they're doing theological work to try to understand what is God doing in my life in our life in the life of God's people." [08:25:92]

"Mary saw it her husband di a very successful lawyer but uh had a big alcohol problem and uh ended up being warned by the folks at his firm you know one more strike and you're out and then there was one more strike he binged and so he had to go into rehab and he was told one morning your assignment today is you got to get up and there's a a meeting and uh you got to go to it at 7:00 and his initial response that his pride and arrogance was uh go meet with a bunch of drunks at 7 in the morning there's no way I'm going to go meet with a bunch of drunks in 7 in the morning." [12:58:32]

"Mary treasure I I will focus my life on what matters I will focus my thoughts my mind I will store them up I will store God's word off in my heart and then she pondered God what does it mean so now I invite you to do that right now that's why you tune in what do you want to treasure today where are you grateful where did God show up the Lord is with you what gift has God given what moment of Joy what encouragement from a friend what piece of Beauty in the world around you what wisdom from a book Thank you thank you God like the Shepherds I praise you and glorify you and tell other people about you." [14:39:72]

"Mary's the first to see that and then this theme of The Great inversion the great upside down and Jesus would make these remarkable statements one day he's talking to the disciples uh what are you guys arguing about on the way it's Mark 9 and and and they're silent because what they were arguing about is I think I'm the greatest what do you think and he says if anybody wants to be the first they should be the last and the servant of all now the the this great theme God is exalting the lowly God is overturning the sinful arrogant prideful KN first Power money oriented way of life the first one to see that so clearly in the New Testament is Mary." [10:55:80]

"Mary's Magnificat reveals a deep understanding of God's justice and mercy, themes that Jesus would later expand upon. Her insights challenge us to consider what we treasure and ponder in our own lives. Are we storing up God's words and actions in our hearts, and are we seeking to understand their significance? As we journey through Advent, we are invited to treasure and ponder the gifts and mysteries of God. We are called to reflect on what we hold dear and to seek understanding in the midst of confusion and uncertainty. In doing so, we align ourselves with the shepherds and Mary, participating in the unfolding story of God's redemption." [09:03:36]

"Mary is portrayed as a 'peasant theologian,' the first to articulate the themes of Jesus' life and mission. Her insights into God's justice and mercy challenge us to consider the theological implications of our faith and how we live it out. The Great Inversion: Mary's Magnificat reveals the theme of the great inversion, where God exalts the lowly and overturns societal norms. This challenges us to embrace humility and service, recognizing that true greatness lies in serving others." [09:58:44]

"Invitation to Reflect: We are invited to treasure and ponder the gifts and mysteries of God in our own lives. By reflecting on what we hold dear and seeking understanding in confusion, we align ourselves with the unfolding story of God's redemption. The Shepherds' immediate response to the angelic message was to hurry to Bethlehem, demonstrating a proactive faith that seeks to witness and understand God's work. This challenges us to be active participants in God's story, responding with urgency and enthusiasm to His call." [14:18:59]

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Transcript
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