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. (Luke 2:26, ESV)
Read Luke 2:25-27
We are moving further away from Christmas Day. For most of us life is returning to normal. Back when I was a child I would be back in school by now, or I would know that it was only a few days away. Time passed for Jesus too. He didn't stay a baby. Like every other child He quickly grew. In our reading He is now more than a month old, and Mary and Joseph take Him to Jerusalem for His presentation.
At the same time they carry Him into the temple courts, an Israelite man enters. Luke describes Simeon in much the same way he had spoken of John the Baptist's father, Zechariah, when he first introduced him. Both men were righteous through their belief in God, firm in their faith, and waiting anxiously for Him to keep His promise and send the Savior. The Holy Spirit had given Simeon a remarkable promise: he would not die before he had seen the Christ. During his lifetime the Messiah would come, and Simeon would see Him with his own eyes.
Simeon was a rare Israelite in his day. By the Holy Spirit's guidance, he understood the Old Testament promises accurately. The Christ would comfort His people by saving them from their sins -- not by driving out their earthly enemies, as most Jews expected.
And this very day Simeon feels a powerful urging from the Holy Spirit to go to the temple. As he passes through the temple courts, he is drawn to a young Boy being carried by His mother and father.
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You revealed Your Son to Simeon. As I read the Bible, reveal Him to me that I may know His salvation and praise You forever in heaven. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
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