Series: Conclusion
Luke 2:25-35 ESV
It’s surprising how thoroughly God prepared His children for the coming.
Simeon in Luke 2 was no different.
When Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:21-24) Jesus had been circumcised according to scripture. They also presented two young pigeons as an offering. According to Leviticus 12 they were to offer a lamb or of they could not afford a lamb they could offer two turtle doves or two young pigeons. We note that the two pigeons were the offering given by the poor.
Picking up with Luke 2:25-33 we are told, “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 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 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. 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. 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, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 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 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
Simeon was a man of many years who had waited to see the one who was to come. He had been told by the Spirit that he would not die until he saw the blessed light for Israel. It had also been revealed to him that the one coming would be a glory to Israel and a light to the gentiles.
At that time it was one thing for God to reveal truth to Israel through the prophets, but revealing truth to the gentiles was another matter altogether.
This was Jerusalem, Israel.
While there were some pagan sects living in Jerusalem at the time Jesus was born the city was made up primarily of Hebrew people. So for God to reveal to Simeon the one coming would also bring revelation to all people (Gentiles) would have been almost unthinkable. What is even more surprising is that Simeon seemed to take that in stride.
Also, we note that Simeon’s blessing and his words offered Mary and Joseph great consolation. Obviously they knew Jesus was special. God chose this moment. Jesus was born to a virgin. Mary and Joseph knew Jesus was chosen. But to have Simeon at the Temple confirm it with his words and actions would have been a great gift to Mary and Joseph.
It meant a great deal to them when they heard the story.
It became part of the greater story of young Jesus.
From the very beginning God had a plan.
And so it is with you. God has a plan for every person who turns (even ever so slightly) and acknowledges the presence of the Spirit of the living God.
So, what is God’s plan for you?
Spiritual Practice: Your Plan
Ask God to reveal your plan.
In God, Deborah
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