21On
the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named
Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
22When
the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of
Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the
Lord 23 (as it
is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated
to the Lord”), 24and
to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a
pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
25Now
there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and
devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy
Spirit was on him. 26It
had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had
seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27Moved
by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the
child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28Simeon took him in his arms
and praised God, saying:
29“Sovereign
Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss
your servant in peace.
30For
my eyes have seen your salvation,
31which
you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32a
light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your
people Israel.”
33The
child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.34Then Simeon blessed them and
said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the
falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken
against, 35so
that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your
own soul too.”
Reflect:
One
of our favorite sitcoms is “Everybody Loves Raymond.” In a particularly funny
and poignant episode, grandmother Marie was extremely disappointed to learn
that she wouldn’t have the opportunity to be present when her young
grandchildren woke up to Christmas morning, because they would be with the
in-laws, and would have to wait until noon — hours after they woke up — to see
them. “But I’ll miss their little faces!” she exclaims. Her daughter-in-law
Debra casually replies, “They’ll still have faces at noon, Marie.” Debra, the
exhausted mom of three little ones, missed Marie’s point. Debra’s mindset was
to survive the holiday, or quite possibly just the next hour, by trying to keep
both sides of the family happy. But Marie, older and wiser, knew there was
nothing quite like seeing the wonder and awe on her grandchildren’s faces on
Christmas morning.
Simeon,
also older and wiser, likewise longed to see
something very special. God had promised Simeon that he would not die before he
saw the Messiah, and prompted Simeon to be in the temple courts on the day Mary
and Joseph presented the newborn Jesus to God. Oh, what it must have been like
to see Simeon’s face that special morning. To see the wonder and awe as he held
the hope of all nations in his arms! To gaze upon the magnitude of what God had
done — stepping down from His throne in Heaven to come to Earth, and, in the
most vulnerable and beautiful way, to walk among us and save us. Emmanuel: God
with us. “The Son of God became a man that man might become sons (and
daughters) of God.” — C.S. Lewis.
In
the midst of this unspeakable joy, Simeon also recognized the tremendous
sacrifice that was yet to come. A costly and bitter sacrifice, where the
shedding of blood would sanctify many. In obedience to God, Joseph and Mary
prepared to present a sacrifice at the altar — two doves. At 8 days old, Jesus
would shed his first blood through circumcision, again in obedience to the word
of God. Simeon knew that ultimately, Jesus would give His life and that Mary’s
heart would be pierced by her anguish as she looked on.
Today,
in the midst of our culture of Christmas with its busy schedules, extravagant
meals, gifts, and family, may we not miss it. May we take the time to gaze upon
our Savior’s face in wonder and awe of what God has done. And, like His servant
Simeon did, may we know the peace that Jesus brings.
Act:
What
will your birthday gift to Jesus be today? Perhaps an act of service, a time of
worship, a specific commitment you offer to Him.
Pray:
Lord
Jesus, thank You for coming to save us. For leaving the glories of Heaven to
enter our broken and dirty and hurting world. I will not forget the grace and
love You have showered on me. I will not forget that it is Your blood alone that
has redeemed me. May I honor You today in all that I do, and may my offering be
a blessing to You. Amen.
Kathy and Scott Roberts
No comments:
Post a Comment