GOSPEL: Sunday 28 December 2014 ~ The Holy Family THIS CHILD IS SET FOR THE FALL AND RISING OF MANY ~ Luke 2:22-35 Is your life in tune with the Holy Spirit? Simeon was a man who was just towards others and devout towards God. He gladly accepted the mission God called him to perform with much fervent prayer and with patient expectation. His whole life was in tune with the Holy Spirit. He was found daily in the temple in prayer and worship and in humble and faithful expectation for the day that the Lord would comfort his people. As the days and months grew into years he never lost hope. When Joseph and Mary presented the child Jesus in the temple, Simeon immediately recognized the Lord’s presence in his temple. Through eyes of faith he saw the infant Jesus as the fulfilment of all the messianic prophecies, hopes, and prayers of the people of Israel. Inspired by the Holy Spirit he prophesied that Jesus was to be a revealing light to the Gentiles. Jesus came not only as “light and salvation” for the people of Israel, but for all nations as well. With this insight 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. Mary received both a crown of joy and a cross of sorrow. But her joy was not diminished by her sorrow because it was fuelled 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? 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). Do you also recognize that you are God’s temple and that his Spirit dwells within you? Lord, may I recognize your visitation and be prepared for your action today, just as Simeon was prepared and ready to respond to your visitation and action in his day.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 02:45:44 +0000
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