Luke 2:22-40
22 And 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 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
Reflection
In Simeon’s words we see that God intends for the gospel to bring blessing to the entire world. Now in Jesus, God’s plan from the beginning of creation is being accomplished —he is spreading his grace to all the earth, both Jew and Gentile (Luke 2:31–32).
Yet this gospel that unites all people together also divides all people at the level of the heart (vv. 34–35). Because Jesus is God himself in the flesh, to face the gospel of Jesus is to face God. And to face God is to have our thoughts and hearts opened and revealed (Heb. 4:12). This will result in a fall for any who are proud or opposed to Jesus (Luke 2:34). But for those like Simeon who see Jesus and respond to him with hope, there is great blessing! This story invites us to see Jesus correctly and receive him at the heart-level as Savior and Lord. We must hold nothing back, because God sees and knows all things, even what is in our hearts (Ps. 139:1–6).
Ephesians 1:1-2
1: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection
Paul uses two words to describe the Christians in Ephesus: saints and faithful. Every Christian is both. The word “saint” means holy one, and refers to someone who is set apart for God and his purposes. We are saints because of what Christ did for us. He made us clean and holy. In Ephesians 1:1, the word “faithful” does not mean “dependable” as much as “full of faith in Jesus Christ.” A Christian is a person made holy by God (a saint) and a person who trusts in Christ (faithful).
Psalm 119:29
29 Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law!
God knows the depth of our hearts and lovingly reveals what is hidden below the surface. Ask him to use his Word to continue searching and cleansing you so that you can become the man or woman of God that he intends you to be.