Luke 2, 25-32
The Prophecy of Simeon
25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying
29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. 30 I have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared for all people. 32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and He is the glory of your people Israel!”
What an exciting time!! We all know how exciting it is to meet a new baby! In this passage when Jesus was 8 days old and the news of his arrival was quickly spreading, we again see Mary & Joseph being obediant doing what the law required of them, taking Jesus to the temple to be named, dedicated and circumcised. This was in obedience to the laws they had been used to as part of their Jewish laws. How interesting that we come to know that Jesus words were as recorded in Matthew when He was ask about being under the law were...Matthew 5:17....
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."
Yet His earthly parents Mary & Joseph were obedient to the law at that time.
In this passage I see so much obedience and listening for the Holy Spirit to guide Simeon who was described as a mature, righteous and devout man. He knew a Saviour was coming to Israel. He was prompted and went to the temple.... no delay! How often does God prompt us and we may neglect his nudge and timing by not being available & putting our own schedule ahead of His. Simeon got to see His Saviour, he didn't just greet Him, he embraced Him, so we too should not just casually greet Jesus but draw near to Him and embrace Him in our lives. What a peace came to Simeon to know he had seen His Saviour. Simeon in his old age was now prepared for the end of his earthy life as he had checked this one most important thing off his bucket list.
How much does God want us to experience Jesus as His good and perfect gift to each of us!! No one is exempt. Luke in this passage points out that this Jesus is not just the Saviour of the Jews, but Gentiles as well. What a truth to proclaim at a time when there was so much division between the two cultures.
This has also reminded me that God gave Jesus an earthly family to bless and support Mary and Joseph as parents. Two wise mature dedicated believers....Simeon and Anna (who we will meet in tomorrow's devotional). They would have been such an encouragement to speak into Jesus life things that Mary and Joseph were just perhaps coming to believe for what had been spoken of their son, God's Son. We are called as believers to support encourage and bless our children, grandchildren, and any family that God puts in our path!! God put us in families, and we often hear that it takes a village to raise a child! May we be faithful in those opportunities to support and offer blessing and wisdom to young families. God still has a purpose for us in our "mature" years to mentor and support young families and parents.
We Pray: Father God we learn so much from the obedience of Mary, Joseph, and Simeon....how important that at "just the right time" they were open to be where You called them to be. Give us the courage to be open and listening for your voice to be able to share Your messenger of good news to others who need to know Jesus. We are in awe of how Your plan and timing is so good and perfect. Give us the words of Truth, encouragement, blessing, support, Hope and experience that You want us to speak into the lives of parents and children in our lives! We ask these things in Jesus name.
Come Lord Jesus Come!
Shared by Sharon McKay
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