“MORE THAN MARVEL”
A few years ago, I was preaching a Christmas series at The Harbor (the young adult ministry I lead at Calvary Chapel Melbourne). As I was studying, one verse landed in my heart in a way it never had before.
Over the next year, I couldn’t get it out of my mind.
SO, WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?
During Week 1 and Week 2, we learned that the greatest invitation in all the world is to walk with God. This reality should blow our minds so much that we design everything in our lives around following Jesus.
Many of us have had a powerful encounter with Jesus. We’ve experienced God’s grace during a night of worship, while on a missions trip, at youth camp, or as we walk through nature. We’ve realized His love is real and have decided to follow Him with our whole hearts. We’ve told ourselves we will never be the same again.
We’ve experienced God’s grace during a night of worship, while on a missions trip, at youth camp, or as we walk through nature.
Then, the routine of life gets in the way. The feelings fade. A million emails, a final exam, a new relationship, or an unrelenting calendar creeps into space we had mapped out for God.
Many of us can relate. But we’re not the only ones who struggle with this. It happened to dozens of men and women in the original Christmas story.
A LONG EXPECTED PARTY
The story begins with Mary and her fiancĂ© Joseph in a barn in Bethlehem, a hillside village across the valley from Jerusalem. Mary, a virgin, is pregnant with a baby sent from heaven. (This Mary is different from the Mary we studied in Week 1. Confusing I know.) That night, she gave birth to Immanuel, God with us. (For more on this, see “Week 2 – Day 3 – “Incarnation”)
The appearance of the angels was shocking, but the news was long expected.
On the same night, some shepherds were watching their flocks on the foothills outside Bethlehem. A host of angels appeared and terrified the shepherds. The angels brought news of a promised Savior and King whose rule and reign would bring glory to God and peace and favor to mankind.
The appearance of the angels was shocking, but the news was long expected. The people of Israel had been waiting on this Savior for hundreds of years. God’s promise had finally come true. The shepherds would be the first witnesses to the King sent from heaven. They went to Mary and Joseph and found Jesus, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
MORE THAN MARVEL
Now, we come to the verse that I could not stop thinking about for a year.
After the shepherds saw the baby, they went and told everyone. Luke’s gospel records Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:17-19 NKJV)
Luke contrasts Mary’s response with the others who heard the news. Everyone was amazed. But Mary kept everything in her heart and pondered them. The ESV translation records that Mary “treasured” the events of the first Christmas.
Unfortunately, we can marvel at something that doesn’t change our lives.
Everyone marveled. Mary treasured.
The Greek word for “marveled” is thaumazo. It means “wonder, marvel, admire.” Throughout the four Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life, the word is used dozens of times. When Jesus does something special, the people often marvel.
Unfortunately, we can marvel at something that doesn’t change our lives.
During Jesus’ ministry, a crowd marveled at dozens of miracles but cried “Crucify Him!” when he stood before Pontius Pilate.
The Bethlehemites marveled at the birth of Jesus, but they weren’t transformed. Jesus did not have a crowd from Bethlehem following him when he started preaching. They moved on.
During Jesus’ ministry, a crowd marveled at dozens of miracles but cried “Crucify Him!” when he stood before Pontius Pilate. Crowds are fickle and wonder quickly fades.
We need something more than marvel.
THAUMAZO IS OUR SPECIALTY
Today, we specialize in “Marvel and Move On.” Think about it. Six weeks ago, the internet was obsessed with something that is currently irrelevant. We could make a long list of songs, dance crazes, documentaries, apps, or memes that mattered six months ago but seem trivial today.
We live in a cycle of hype, obsession, binge, and boredom. We move from “this is the most important thing” to “I’m over it” faster than we ever have before.
We could make a long list of songs, dance crazes, documentaries, apps, or memes that mattered six months ago but seem trivial today.
I’m not bashing Internet culture. I’m here for most of it. But the more I consider this phenomenon, the more I realize it is unhealthy for our spiritual lives.
MARVEL DOESN’T MEAN MATURE
Marvel and move on is the air we breathe. And if we’re careless, it will transfer to how we interact with God.
“That worship set made me feel so close to God.” Go to Chipotle. Reply to 12 text messages. Move on. “Can’t wait to feel that way again next week.”
“This sermon was so sick.” Text the link to two friends. Scroll Instagram. Don’t think about God again for three days.
Marvel and move on is the air we breathe. And if we’re careless, it will transfer to how we interact with God.
We have access to more sermons, bible studies, books, worship music, and inspirational Instagram accounts than all the cultures of history combined. Yet many of us struggle to make time in our lives for the presence of God. Why is that?
We need something more than marvel.
EVERYONE MARVELLED, MARY TREASURED
While everyone else marveled, Mary treasured. The word treasure is the Greek word sunterero. It means “to preserve, keep safe, keep in mind, and keep close.” She wanted to make sure she didn’t miss what was happening.
How do we treasure in a world that marvels? How do we commit to the long road of walking with Jesus when we long for a new experience every other week?
How do we treasure in a world that marvels?
Two thoughts: First, we must learn to delight in the practices of Jesus.
Each week, we’ve been implementing a new practice of Jesus. Don’t skip the practices! They allow us to treasure the things of God and incorporate them into our lives.
Second, we must learn to guard against the distractions that so easily entangle us.
Over the next three days, we’ll discover three distractions that prevent us from growing toward the potential God sees us.
Let’s learn to treasure Jesus together.
NEXT STEPS
1: Read Mark 2.
2: Spend 5-10 minutes in Solitude reflecting on one of the stories in Mark 2. Write in your journal what God spoke to you.
3: Text one friend one thing that you learned.
Tomorrow: Week 3 – Day 2 – “Four Soils”