Verses: Luke 2 : 21 - 40
My thoughts about the verses:
It is important to remember when reading these passages that Jesus was born to a Jewish family. They had certain rules that they must follow according to customs. Jesus was first circumcised when he was 8 days old which was set forth since the time of Abraham. Then Mary and Joseph took him to Jerusalem so that he may be presented to God and the people. It was customary that the first child would be given to God as a servant that he be used to help the people.
Now you have to imagine Joseph and Mary being surprised by Simeon who they did not know. God had granted the man's wish of seeing the lamb that would come to save the people. He did not know how it would happen but he was very faithful. When he laid his eyes on Jesus he knew immediately that this was the salvation for the people. He foretold the destiny of the child and of the Jewish community. First Jesus was there to save all of them and was the Messiah that they had long waited for. Yet, even though the community had waited for the Messiah there would be those that rejected him. That there would be many saved because of his birth. Yet, there would be many that would be lost because they did not believe that Jesus was the true Messiah. Can't you imagine these two parents shock that a man they didn't know had identified the Messiah?
Then there is Anna she was very old and very faithful. She was at the temple day and night fasting and worshiping God. When she saw Jesus she knew that this was the salvation that she had been praying for. Unlike Simeon who was ready for his days to end. Anna started spreading the news that the Messiah had been born. It is ironic in some ways when you look at who first started preaching about the Messiah's birth. In today's world many churches do not allow women to serve in leadership roles. Yet, it was Anna who started telling everyone that the Messiah had been born. She witnessed through her faith that the promise of God had been fulfilled. She had no doubt in her mind that what she saw was what she had longed waited to see.
After Joseph and Mary had done everything by the customs they returned to Nazareth. This protected Jesus and at the same time he was able to grow in faith and wisdom. He did not have to deal with the issues that were occurring in Jerusalem. The children who were lost because of Herod's action have a place in the Realm of God. They are free because of the child who had come to set us all free. Jesus was able to fulfill his promises because he was no longer in Jerusalem or Bethlehem.
Now I want you to think about today and where you are in your faith. We need to discover how strong a bond we have Jesus. The fact is that God wants us all to be free and to accept the one that came to make us whole. Yet, there are many that still do not accept the Risen Savior. We as Christians are encouraged by Simeon to recognize that the Messiah has come to set us free. We are also to be like Anna and share the good news to as many people that will listen to us. This doesn't mean we have to hit them over the head with the Bible. People want to hear our stories because it is through our own personal experiences that people find Christ. We are also to be like Mary and Joseph fulfilling the task that God desires from us. This doesn't mean that we have rituals to be performed rather it means we must accept the calling that is set out for each of us.
Prayer:
Dear Holy God thank you for giving us Jesus. Thank you for showing us how to live and to grow in faith. Let us never be ashamed to tell people our story. Help us accept the calling that you have for our life. Help us become the people that you want and need us to be. In your Holy Name we pray. Amen
Questions:
Have you experienced the freedom that comes from accepting Christ? Have you accepted the calling that God has for your life? Are you willing to share your story with someone today? What more do you need to see to accept that Jesus was born and died for you?
My thoughts about the verses:
It is important to remember when reading these passages that Jesus was born to a Jewish family. They had certain rules that they must follow according to customs. Jesus was first circumcised when he was 8 days old which was set forth since the time of Abraham. Then Mary and Joseph took him to Jerusalem so that he may be presented to God and the people. It was customary that the first child would be given to God as a servant that he be used to help the people.
Now you have to imagine Joseph and Mary being surprised by Simeon who they did not know. God had granted the man's wish of seeing the lamb that would come to save the people. He did not know how it would happen but he was very faithful. When he laid his eyes on Jesus he knew immediately that this was the salvation for the people. He foretold the destiny of the child and of the Jewish community. First Jesus was there to save all of them and was the Messiah that they had long waited for. Yet, even though the community had waited for the Messiah there would be those that rejected him. That there would be many saved because of his birth. Yet, there would be many that would be lost because they did not believe that Jesus was the true Messiah. Can't you imagine these two parents shock that a man they didn't know had identified the Messiah?
Then there is Anna she was very old and very faithful. She was at the temple day and night fasting and worshiping God. When she saw Jesus she knew that this was the salvation that she had been praying for. Unlike Simeon who was ready for his days to end. Anna started spreading the news that the Messiah had been born. It is ironic in some ways when you look at who first started preaching about the Messiah's birth. In today's world many churches do not allow women to serve in leadership roles. Yet, it was Anna who started telling everyone that the Messiah had been born. She witnessed through her faith that the promise of God had been fulfilled. She had no doubt in her mind that what she saw was what she had longed waited to see.
After Joseph and Mary had done everything by the customs they returned to Nazareth. This protected Jesus and at the same time he was able to grow in faith and wisdom. He did not have to deal with the issues that were occurring in Jerusalem. The children who were lost because of Herod's action have a place in the Realm of God. They are free because of the child who had come to set us all free. Jesus was able to fulfill his promises because he was no longer in Jerusalem or Bethlehem.
Now I want you to think about today and where you are in your faith. We need to discover how strong a bond we have Jesus. The fact is that God wants us all to be free and to accept the one that came to make us whole. Yet, there are many that still do not accept the Risen Savior. We as Christians are encouraged by Simeon to recognize that the Messiah has come to set us free. We are also to be like Anna and share the good news to as many people that will listen to us. This doesn't mean we have to hit them over the head with the Bible. People want to hear our stories because it is through our own personal experiences that people find Christ. We are also to be like Mary and Joseph fulfilling the task that God desires from us. This doesn't mean that we have rituals to be performed rather it means we must accept the calling that is set out for each of us.
Prayer:
Dear Holy God thank you for giving us Jesus. Thank you for showing us how to live and to grow in faith. Let us never be ashamed to tell people our story. Help us accept the calling that you have for our life. Help us become the people that you want and need us to be. In your Holy Name we pray. Amen
Questions:
Have you experienced the freedom that comes from accepting Christ? Have you accepted the calling that God has for your life? Are you willing to share your story with someone today? What more do you need to see to accept that Jesus was born and died for you?
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