WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY

PART 4:  SIMEON AND ANNA

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

SIMEON AND ANNA -- LUKE 2:22-38

When 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 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord; “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

Joseph and Mary were following the Law of Moses and were taking Jesus to present him to the Lord.  When they arrived, they encountered two people Simeon, who was righteous and devout, and Anna, who never left the temple and worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 

It had been revealed to him (Simeon) by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.  Moved 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, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God…..

Can you picture this man, waiting?  Searching?  Watching?  And then slowly holding his arms out to hold the baby Jesus?  Gently, ever so gently, taking the child into his arms.

Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:  “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.  For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations; a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

Can you see her?  Anna had been married for seven years and was a widow until she was 84.

She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.  Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.  And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

 

The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die until he saw the Lord’s Messiah.  Simeon, held the Christ Child and praised God.  He had seen the Christ Child.  He was ready to die in peace, because he had seen God’s salvation.

Have you found God’s salvation?  Are you ready to die in peace?

Anna realized in a moment that this baby was the redemption of Jerusalem.  She gave thanks and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to that redemption. 

Do you realize Jesus came for the redemption of everyone?  That is EVERY ONE!  Tell yourself that and then tell others.  God does not desire for even one of his children to be lost.  His desire is for each and every child to have eternal life.  Spread the word about this child that grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and had the grace of God on him.

 

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

WHY – if they were so wise – did the Wise Men have to ask for directions?  (January 1, 2021)