The Real Treasure - In Memory of Jean Halvorson

When we think of the treasures brought to the manger scene: the gold, which spoke of Jesus’ deity at birth; the frankincense, which reflected the perfect life of Jesus; and the myrrh, which would proclaim the Savior’s sacrificial death, these were great treasures, to be sure. There was another treasure, which wasn’t kept in a treasure chest, bank, or holding facility. This treasure was tucked into the very being of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

On this Christmas Eve, we will look closer at this wow treasure in Luke 2:19:

W = wonderful news
1. At the news of the shepherds, there was a definite response in the reception of the listeners.
  1. All wondered at this message.
  2. It was a collective amazement at this information.
2. The Greek word “thaumazo” means “be amazed, marvel”.
  1. It also means “to be awestuck and to admire”.
  2. It is an emotional and intellectual receipt of good news.
  3. In that Greek word we find the word “thaw” in there. God’s good news makes us thaw out from our frozen, stuffy, unsure place, where, like M & M’s, we melt in His hands.
3. Recall that with religion one can admire, but not necessary receive that message in the soul.
O=observer
1. An observer is one to clings to, acknowledges, keeps something. It is not a casual glance or broken thought.
2. “but Mary…….
  1. There is a distinction here in the way Mary took these words.
  2. “but” is a disjunctive conjunction which, no matter what the preceding phrase is, it removes the former and is really saying the latter.
  3. For instance, if a husband says to his wife: “Honey I loved that supper, but why did you wear that dress”, his wife erases out the compliment of the first part, because the second part is the real message.
3. “treasured” is the Greek word “syneterei” (pronounced soon-tay-reh-o).
  1. It comes from two words:
    1. “sun”, which means “closely together, with”;
    2. “tereo”, which means “to watch over and guard, keep”.
  2. This treasured message is something Mary will guard closely with someone.
  3. Who is this one? The one who gave her the gift. This is a tender time for Mary.
  4. These words weren’t something she was going to think about and then cast off.
  5. Jacqueline Kennedy always told her daughter, Caroline, that she should not give away all of her stories about her father, for then they cease to be hers.
  6. Mary would become a safe repository for the earthly glory of God.
W=with Him
1. Mary pondered these things.
  1. This pondering includes the mind, thoughts, and considerations.
  2. God doesn’t take our heads off as believers.
2. The word “pondered” is the Greek word “sumballo”.
3. It comes from two words:
  1. “sun or sum” means “with, together”
  2. “ballo” means “throw together, discuss, consider”.
  3. Our word “ball” comes from this.
  4. Together it means to throw the idea, thought around, but to whom would she discuss it?
4. As Mary considers this, to whom is she speaking – discussing this?
  1. God Himself.
  2. It is not a soliloquy – one- sided conversation.
5. Both words “syneteiei” (guard with) and “sumballo” (discuss together) have the same identifying marks of sun or sum, meaning “together with”.
6. One can only ponder in the mind and treasure in the heart when the word “with” is included. It is not meant to be in a vacuum or on an island. It cannot be done by oneself; it needs the other party – God the Almighty.

At this Christmas time and always, toss your thoughts to God. He’ll catch them and introduce you to the real treasures of the heart, where you can tuck them in forever.