Luke 2:22-38

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

October 9, 2012 -  Simeon and Anna Were Waiting For Me       

Page 22-23   Luke 2:22-38

In my meditation on Luke1:39-56, I noted how the Holy Spirit was working in the birth of Jesus and John, as well as in the lives of Zachariah, Elizabeth, and Mary. In today’s reading, we learn that the Holy Spirit was upon Simeon, and that on the day of the purification offering, the Spirit led him to the Temple. We also meet Anna, a prophet, who stayed in the Temple day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. Although the text does not specifically say the Holy Spirit was upon her, it is clearly implied. In the Gospel of Luke, there are more than twenty references to the Holy Spirit inspiring and leading God’s people. We will do well to spend time pondering the extent we believe the Holy Spirit is upon us.  Equally important is contemplating how we distinguish the Holy Spirit’s leading from our own way of living. Simeon models for us that God’s ways are not our ways.

Jesus said Simeon had been “waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel” (Luke 2:25). Because Simeon was led by the Spirit, upon seeing Jesus he prayed, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation” (Luke 2:29-30). For me, Simeon’s prayer is one of the most profound leaps of faith recorded in the Bible. The time of the purification offering was forty days after Jesus’ birth. Simeon looked at a child just forty days old and knew he was the Messiah, and that God was fulfilling His promise to save Israel.   

Today’s reading is a reminder for me to guard against thinking I know the what, when and how of God’s actions. If I am not careful, I can become rigid in my expectations. If I do, I’ll become like the many in Israel who missed the Messiah, because they were looking for something else.

Sē’lah

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What word or phrase in today’s reading attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

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The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

October 10, 2012    Men from Babylon Travel to Worship Me          Page 27          Matthew 2:1b-12;  Luke 2:39