Image from steadfastlutherans.org
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 turtle-doves 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 for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped 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 favour of God was upon him. (Luke 2:22-40)
It was Jewish custom to present a male child in the Temple on the 8th day of his birth to receive the physical sign of the Covenant. Mary would receive purification from her delivery of the baby, and Joseph had to offer up the sacrifice of two birds. This was a normal procedure. Except this child was not an ordinary child and several people knew it. One was an old righteous and devout man named Simeon, whose constant prayers were for the "consolation of Israel." His prayers were for God not to forget Israel and to send them that which God had promised. On this day of Jesus' presentation, the Holy Spirit rested on Simeon and guided him to approach Joseph and Mary; it was also his knowledge that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah from the Lord, and today he was seeing Him. Simeon takes Jesus into his arms and prays a prayer of thanksgiving for his eyes had just seen the One longed for; Simeon then blesses the parents and tells Mary that Jesus was "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 shall pierce your own soul too." As we have read the gospels, all this old man shared was true.
Present also was Anna, a prophet of the Lord, who lived at the temple worshiping and praising God, a woman of prayer and fasting. At that moment of Simeon's blessing, she enters and begins to praise God and speaks about the child Jesus as the sign for those awaiting Israel's redemption. As Joseph and Mary finish their obligation they leave and retuned to Galilee, to their town of Nazareth.
The name of Jesus has raised so many, and many have been lowered because of Him as well. I pray we have been among those raised in our spiritual lives and even in our day-to-day lives because of what Jesus has brought to us. The comfort and peace sought and awaited by many in Israel and throughout the world have been comforted and blessed; for the consolation of Israel is indeed our consolation as well. Jesus continues to be He whom the world seeks for the personal salvation God offers to us, as well as the blessing sought for the continuation of God's work here on the earth.
PRAYER: Loving Father, guide us to faithfulness and fruitfulness. Help us to be among those lifted up because of Jesus; may we tire of the low places of sin and be lifted high to the glory of life in abundance through the power and Name of Jesus; in Whose name we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be part of God's consolation by speaking peace and hope to someone today!
Eradio Valverde
Prayer Update: The Rev. Emet Huntsman was set for a delicate heart surgery in San Antonio today, but his doctor is sick and so the surgery has been delayed. I will share word as to when it will happen.
