Do you know the favor of the Lord? After Jesus birth, Mary fulfills the Jewish right of purification after childbirth. Since she could not afford the customary offering of a lamb, she gives instead two pigeons as an offering of the poor. This rite, along with circumcision and the redemption of the first-born point to the fact that children are gifts from God. Jesus was born in an ordinary home where there were no luxuries. Like all godly parents, Mary and Joseph raised their son in the fear and wisdom of God. He, in turn, was obedient to them and grew in wisdom and grace. The Lords favor is with those who listen to his word with trust and obedience. Do you know the joy of submission to God? And do you seek to pass on the faith and to help the young grow in wisdom and maturity? What is the significance of Simeons encounter with the baby Jesus and his mother in the temple? Simeon was a just and devout man who was very much in tune with the Holy Spirit. He believed that the Lord would return to his temple and renew his chosen people. The Holy Spirit also revealed to him that the Messiah and King of Israel would also bring salvation to the Gentile nations. When Joseph and Mary presented the baby Jesus in the temple, Simeon immediately recognized this humble child of Bethlehem as the fulfillment of all the messianic prophecies, hopes, and prayers. Inspired by the Holy Spirit he prophesied that Jesus was to be a revealing light to the Gentiles. The Holy Spirit reveals the presence of the Lord to those who are receptive and eager to receive him. Do you recognize the indwelling presence of the Lord with you? Jesus is the new temple (John 1:14; 2:19-22). In the Old Testament God manifested his presence in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night as he led them through the wilderness. Gods glory visibly came to dwell over the ark and the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-38). When the first temple was built in Jerusalem Gods glory came to rest there (1 Kings 8). After the first temple was destroyed, Ezekiel saw Gods glory leave it (Ezekiel 10). But God promised one day to fill it with even greater glory (Haggai 2:1-9; Zechariah 8-9). That promise is fulfilled when the King of Glory himself comes to his temple (Psalm 24:7-10; Malachi 3:1). Through Jesus coming in the flesh and through his saving death, resurrection, and ascension we are made living temples of his Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16-17). Ask the Lord to renew your faith in the indwelling presence of his Spirit with you. And give him thanks and praise for coming to make his home with you. Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph and he prophesied to Mary about the destiny of this child and the suffering she would undergo for his sake. There is a certain paradox for those blessed by the Lord. Mary was given the blessedness of being the mother of the Son of God. That blessedness also would become a sword which pierced her heart as her Son died upon the cross. She received both a crown of joy and a cross of sorrow. But her joy was not diminished by her sorrow because it was fueled by her faith, hope, and trust in God and his promises. Jesus promised his disciples that no one will take your joy from you (John 16:22). The Lord gives us a supernatural joy which enables us to bear any sorrow or pain and which neither life nor death can take way. Do you know the joy of a life fully surrendered to God with faith and trust? Simeon was not alone in recognizing the Lords presence in the temple. Anna, too, was filled with the Holy Spirit. She was found daily in the temple, attending to the Lord in prayer and speaking prophetically to others about Gods promise to send a redeemer. Supernatural hope grows with prayer andage! Anna was pre-eminently a woman of great hope and expectation that God would fulfill all his promises. She is a model of godliness to all believers as we advance in age. Advancing age and the disappointments of life can easily make us cynical and hopeless if we do not have our hope placedrightly. Annas hope in God and his promises grew with age. She never ceased to worship God in faith and to pray with hope. Her hope and faith in Gods promises fueled her indomitable zeal and fervor in prayer and service ofGods people. What do you hope for? The hope which God places in our heartis the desire for the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness. How do we grow in hope? By placing our trust in the promises of Jesus Christ and relying not on our own strength, but on the grace and help of the HolySpirit. Does your hope and fervor for God grow with age? Lord Jesus, may I never cease to hope in you and to trust in your promises. Fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may always recognize your saving presence in my life. Help me to point others to Christ and to be an example of faith and devotion as Simeon and Anna were to their generation. THE LAST DAY OF CHRISTMAS When the day came to purify them according to the law of Moses, the couple brought Him up to Jerusalem so that He could be presented to the Lord. Luke 2:22 According to Jewish law, forty days after their baby boys were born, parents were obliged to present them to the Lord (Lv 12:3-4). Therefore, we celebrate the Lords Presentation forty days after Christmas, His birthday. So todays feast day is connected with the number 40 and with Christmas. The number 40 indicates a period of great change, hopefully ending in fulfillment. For instance, the Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years before entering the promised land. Noahs flood lasted forty days. Moses was in Gods presence on Mount Sinai for forty days. Nineveh had forty days to repent. Jesus fasted for forty days and ascended forty days after His resurrection. Today, the Lord is offering us the grace of a 40, that is, the grace of transformation and fulfillment. Did you have a good Christmas? Is your life transformed by what the Lord did this past Christmas? If not, you can be transformed by the graces of today. Today may be your last chance for Christmas. Give your life to the Christ of Christmas. Jesus is a Sign of contradiction and your Downfall if you reject Him. He is your Rise if you accept Him (Lk 2:34). Give your life to Jesus today and have Christmas. Prayer: Father, may this be the best Christmas ever all that You want it to be. Promise: Since He was Himself tested through what He suffered, He is able to help those who are tempted. Heb 2:18 Praise: Alleluia! Praise Jesus, the Light to the nations and the glory of Israel! (Lk 2:32)
Posted on: Sun, 02 Feb 2014 16:52:57 +0000
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