Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Luke+002
Luke 2 English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus Presented at the Temple
22 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 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 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. 26 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. 27 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, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 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 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
REFLECTION:
- Simeon (righteous and devout, v25) spent a long life of hopeful prayer and faithful witness. What he has been praying for all his life is now present in this infant. He took the child in his arms and blessed him, and the parents. And he was ready to die.
- The prayers of Mary and Simeon are complementary to each other: the young Mary starting out in submission to God’s word; the old Simeon ending in submission to God’s word. Mary and Simeon submissively and believingly spoke the prayer: “according to your word”(1:38, 2:29).
- Read the two prayers by Mary and Simeon (1:38, 2:29). Focus on the words “according to your word”. Listen to what God is speaking to you. How could you use this phrase “according to your word” in your response prayer today?
PRAYER:
Lord, May I, like Simeon, be blessed to experience Your amazing grace and see Your heavenly glory in my lifetime. Lord, I am often weak and lack of faith, my heart is full of rebellion and pride, and my eyes are drawn to the prosperity of this world. Please grant me the eyes of wisdom and the heart of obedience, so that I can see the emptiness of the world behind the bustling illusion, and understand the lies of the human heart when chasing fame and fortune. I ask You not only to make me understand rationally, but also to realize in my actual life experience that if I don’t rely on You, there is no other way out. Lord, please support me so that I can walk with You all my life and do according to Your word. When I am old, may I also see Your face like Simeon, pass away peacefully, and be with You in eternal joy. Amen!
HYMN:
A Christian’s Daily Prayer – youtu.be/vAaFfoQy6s0
