Presentation of Our Lord
Luke 2:22-40 (NRSV)
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
"Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."
And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed -- and a sword will pierce your own soul too."
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
DEVOTION
Alright now! I love the way the Holy Ghost works! When I "grow up" I want to be just like Simeon and Anna. (smile)
Actually, we can all be like Simeon and Anna (right now) if we are full of the Holy Spirit. Scripture teaches that because both of them walked with God and were full of God's Spirit, they were equipped to recognize Jesus when they saw him.
Scripture says that "deep cries out to deep" and it is true (Psalm 42:7).
I believe that when the Spirit of God in Simeon encountered the spirit of God in Jesus, it bore witness to itself.
And I believe that when the Spirit of God in Anna, caught sight of the Spirit of God in Jesus, it caused Anna's praise-fest!
As born-again believers in Jesus Christ, we too are full of the Holy Spirit. As such, we ought to be able to "see" Jesus when He is in our midst. We ought to recognize the Spirit of God as it moves through the people and circumstances of our lives. We ought to know Truth when we see, hear, or feel it!
I'm so glad that Love gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life! I'm so glad that Jesus did not stay dead, but was resurrected on the third day just as he promised! And I am so glad that Jesus did not leave us comfortless after His ascension, but sent the Holy Spirit into the world to lead, guide, and instruct us along The Way.
Luke 2 says that Simeon was righteous and devout and Anna was a worshiper who was unafraid to fast, pray, and praise all day long!
These are attributes and character traits that we should all desire to cultivate in our own lives as Christian believers!
As we do so, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we too will see and recognize Jesus, give praise to God and share good news with others!
Will you please share the good news with at least one person today?
If so, please pray with me:
Lord, please fill me with your Holy Spirit, so that I can read, share, and BE good news today and always. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL
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