Happy Candlemas! Fancy word for Presentation of the Lord Day, which in itself is the name given to the day infant Jesus was presented in the Temple. It’s the second feast day of the Christian year. I hope you find something today to really enjoy and feast upon.
We can find the story in Luke 2, so let’s read it and I’ll point out a few things as the fully grown and alive Jesus leads. First, we’ll pray.
Lord Jesus, this is a beautiful story and I thank You for providing it for today. Lead me, lead us, as we go through this. Show us all that you really want us to see. Make the words just jump off the page for somebody reading this, Lord, so if I don’t see it, they will. Thank You, Lord, for all that You do for me. In your holy and precious name. Amen.
Luke 2:22-26 (we’re going all the way to verse 40)
Jesus Presented in the Temple
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 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
Just stop here. Reread verses 25-26.
The Holy Spirit was on Simeon. Pre-Pentecost. Why? Because he was righteous and devout? It’s not that the Spirit wasn’t given before Christ sent Him, it’s more like only a few who really loved God, who were devout, maybe even those who asked for it. Because God gives to those who ask. Our minds lack imagination, but it’s true, ask and it will be given you. Try with not physical things and you’ll see. Like, Lord, please open the eyes of my heart so I might know you even better. Or, maybe, you want a gentle voice, I sure do, so I ask like this: Lord please, make my voice gentle and clear so that in whatever You want me to say fruit will come and my tone of voice won’t upset anyone who hears it. Ask. Then when you see it, thank Him. Thanks is incredibly important. It’s not just giving credit, it’s thanking Him right along with it. Like, Lord, thank you for taking my voice and making it gentle while I read last night.
Luke 2:27-32
27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
Who did Simeon thank God for seeing? Simeon called him what in verse 30?
“In the sight of all nations” to me, I think Simeon is saying “publicly” “Not at all hidden.”
Verse 32 is yet another assurance Jesus came for all of us. What else does Simeon call him?
A light for what?
Glory of what?
Luke 2:33-35
33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 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, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
The thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. Because out of the heart we speak. Matthew 12:34 b “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
Luke 2:36-38
36 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, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 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.
Anna gave thanks because she knew who this baby was too. What did she tell all who were looking forward to the redemption?
Luke 2:39-40
39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
Write out verse 40. Then pray it. Thank Him for all He is and pray it over yourself, over your children or grandchildren, anyone you love. We can because the grace of God is on us too. And wisdom is something God is happy to give. With Jesus, it was incomparable power, and we can’t get that, but He promises to be our strength through our weaknesses. So pray it. It’s a faith thing. Ask and watch.
Go on, grow your faith.