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Luke 2:25-35 - Encouragement for the Young and Old.

Luke 2:25-35 - Encouragement for the Young and Old.

Luke 2:25-35 (NLT) At that time there was a man in Jerusalem 
named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for 
the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 
26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen 
the Lord's Messiah. 27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So 
when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as 
the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms 
and praised God, saying, 29 "Sovereign Lord, now let your servant 
die in peace, as you have promised. 30 I have seen your salvation, 
31 which you have prepared for all people. 32 He is a light to 
reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!" 
33 Jesus' parents were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 
Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby's mother, 
"This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will 
be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but 
many will oppose him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many 
hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul."  

Luke related two more incidents that serve to demonstrate Jesus' 
identity. On the 40th day after His birth Jesus' mother came to the temple 
to offer the sacrifice required of the poor for purification after 
childbirth (v. 24; cf. Lev. 12:8). There the Holy Spirit caused two aged 
saints to identify Jesus as the promised Messiah. While the incidents 
serve as historical evidence, they surely had special meaning to 
Joseph and Mary. Very shortly after this, Matthew tells us, the couple 
was forced to take the Baby Jesus and flee the country. How much the 
memory of every unusual word about their Child would serve to encourage 
Joseph and Mary then. Many of God's most unusual works are performed 
more for the comfort of His own than for some great theological 
purpose. Here God comforted four: Simeon and Anna near the end of their 
lives; Joseph and Mary at the beginning of a difficult period in 
theirs. The very personal purposes seen here encourage us to expect the 
Lord to meet our needs as well. [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary re 
Luke 2:21-40] 

  Many people saw Jesus that day and passed him by, taking no 
notice, but Simeon, who had eagerly expected the Messiah, was overjoyed 
and broke out in praise to God. Simeon had prayed for, hoped for, 
and waited for this moment. Getting to see the Christ was the 
highlight of Simeon's life, and he shared that joy by proclaiming Christ's 
glory and light to those around him. 
  Getting a glimpse of Jesus can light up our lives as well. We 
can be like those who must have passed him by in the temple on the 
day of his dedication --too busy to seek him and spend time with him. 
We can take him for granted and miss the blessing of his presence 
or be distracted by other things in the world. But if we eagerly 
look for Christ in our everyday goings and comings, draw close to him 
through prayer in our families, our work, our difficulties and trials, 
we, too, will get a new glimpse of God. Our hearts will be renewed, 
and others will come to know him through us. 
  Father, thank you for letting me see the Savior! I rejoice as 
Simeon did long ago. Jesus is alive, he has come and is coming again! 
Lord Jesus, thank you for being a light to reveal God to the nations 
so that more people can know and worship our Father. Thank you for 
bringing us out of darkness and into your marvelous light. I want to 
shine your light everywhere I go so that everyone around me will be 
drawn to you. [Praying Through The Bible By Fuller re Luke 2:25, 
27-32] 

  You cannot escape Jesus Christ.
  His birth affected Caesar's politics (vv. 1-3), the ministry 
of the angels (vv. 8-15), and the activities of common men (vv 
15-20). In that day, shepherds were looked upon with disdain; but God 
singled them out to be the first human messengers of Messiah's birth. 
His coming touched worshipers (vv. 21-38) and even scholars (vv. 
39-52). 
  The angels sang about Him, and He is still the theme of the 
greatest music. Luke wrote about Him, and He is still the subject of the 
greatest literature. The shepherds hastened to behold Him, and He is 
still at the center of the greatest art. Teachers listened to Him and 
marveled, and He is still the focal point for all truth and wisdom. 
  In His development, Jesus was perfectly balanced: 
intellectually (wisdom), physically (stature), spiritually (in favor with God), 
and socially (in favor with man), and He is still the greatest 
example for childhood and youth. 
  He alone is worthy of our worship!
  Oh, come! Let us adore Him! [Chapter by Chapter Bible 
Commentary by Warren Wiersbe re Luke 2] 

LINK TO MINI VIDEO DEVOTIONAL ON THIS PASSAGE:

Understanding Bible Prophecy by Shawn Boonstra: 
http://www.itiswritten.com/betterway/episode/2007/12/17 

www.aBible.com