How does it feel to take in less information? To read fewer articles and see fewer pictures? Is your mind searching for something to do or something to think about? Or, do you feel a sense of quiet and peace sinking down to the deepest places within you?
If you’re still feeling uncomfortable, keep going. If you’re getting restless or you notice that it is really hard to detach from your phone, keep pressing in. If this is the space you’ve needed for a long time, keep savoring it.
When Mary receives the good news that she will bear the promised Messiah, her response reveals a mind tended by simplicity. Of course, Luke hasn’t shared a to-the-second audio file of Mary’s thoughts as she stands in fear of Gabriel before her and in awe of his message to her. But, throughout this passage and stories of Mary that follow we get a picture of a woman who takes time to ponder what she sees and hears.
In Luke 2:19, a group of shepherds unexpectedly receive the good news about Jesus and hurry to see Him. “When they 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.”
Again when Mary finds Jesus after three days with teachers in the temple courts, she “treasured all these things in her heart” (Luke 2:51).
Mary ponders the Word of God and treasures the actions of her Son. This is the way we are called to meditate on the Scriptures. In Jeremiah 31:33, the Lord says, “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” As we continue to clear space in our minds, we are making room to meditate on the things of God.
When I meditate on Scripture, I often run a passage or idea through my mind again and again -- questioning God, questioning the passage, searching for meaning, and making connections. This analysis and thought process is surely a gift from my English literature background.
I remember arguing with classmates in my AP lit class over the interpretation of a symbol or the behavior of a character in a novel or play. My books were covered in notes, highlights, and underlined passages. The inside covers were plastered in more notes and legends to decipher other notes within the pages.
But what is different about biblical meditation is that we are not wrestling with the meaning in a fictional novel, we are pondering the Word of God. So, like Mary, we can ask real-life, practical questions as we read. I can even apply my gifts of analysis and close reading from years of English classes to my daily Bible reading. But since it is the Word of God, I am challenged to believe and trust what I read. I must trust in the authority of God’s Word even when I still have 10,000 questions.
In this passage, we see our beloved Mary meditate on God’s word delivered by his messenger Gabriel. She listens and is deeply troubled. She wonders and asks a sensible question. Finally, she believes what she hears.
In your free moments this week, I urge you to meditate on Scripture and choose to believe it. You can meditate on our passage for the week, or another passage that fills you with awe and confusion. Don’t read it alone, but consult a commentary, watch a BibleProject video, or discuss it with a friend who knows the Bible. Pray that the Holy Spirit would guide your meditation and fill your heart with understanding. Then, believe in your mind and heart what you have read.
You will not learn all there is to know or get all your questions answered this week. Surely, there will be more treasure left to uncover. But, like Mary, we will choose to believe God’s Word because we know He is worthy of our trust.
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38).
In the comments below, share a passage you are meditating on this week. What questions do you have for God? What is confusing? What is interesting? Where can you go to learn more? I pray the Holy Spirit gives you a new understanding and joy for His Word!
Thank you for joining me this Advent! We are learning how to practice simplicity in our minds, with our mouths, with the work of our hands, and in the ways we move in the world.
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