Presentation

Good Morning all. I pray that this day finds you all blessed and your cup running over. Let's jump right into Luke this morning. Verse 22- When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord (Now guys do we give our children over to the Lord when they are first born?) and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord; a pair of doves and two young pigeons."(I know we don't sacrifice like this anymore, but do we as parents sacrifice everything so our children grow up in the Lord. Not just going to church, but them see us studying the Bible, living out God's word. Do we do what God commands us?) Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout.(Are we being righteous and devoted to God?) He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. I had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. (What a promise!) Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. (If we would only listen to what the Holy Spirit commands of us. We would learn our lessons so much quicker and maybe those that do not know the Lord would see him quicker.) When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God,(no one had to tell Simeon that the Messiah had just entered the building. He knew. He was living by the Spirit and the Spirit spoke truth to his heart. He didn't need anyone to come up to him and tell him, his Spirit knew what it had longed for. Can the same be said for us? Do we know when we see the glory of the Lord?) saying: Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. (God doing what God said he was going to do. Simeon also knew that his life was complete, nothing could compare for seeing his Savior and he was ready to die.) For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations; a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. (Simeon knew what Jesus' purpose was. Do we really know what Jesus did for us? Do we even think about what he did? Not just dying on the cross but willingly leaving heaven to come and die in the most horrendous way. Do we really ever just sit and think on it, and not just on Easter?) The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother; This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too. (Simeon told Mary and Joseph what Jesus was sent to do and Jesus was just a baby. He knew that Jesus would stir up quite a commotion for leaders of Israel so the world could see that these so called religious leaders were not living by God's Word. They were false. He also went and told Mary that her own heart would be pierced. My knee jerk reaction would have been to keep the child safe. Oh what faith Mary and Joseph had, to know all that they knew and still followed God's commands.) There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. (Are we that devoted to praising and worshiping our Heavenly Father? Night and day nothing but praise on her lips. It also shows us right there that she was not without trials. Her husband died just 7 years after marriage. But she was still devoted to God.) Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. (Notice she gave thanks first.) When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. (Is God's grace covering you? Are you filled with God's wisdom?) Have a beautiful day and may you see the hands of God today.