Luke 2:25-35 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 upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 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, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." 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 flashes on the scene for a brief moment and adds more human interest and prophetic revelation to the account of Christ’s childhood.  Luke tells us that Simeon was a righteous and devout man, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  In fact, the Holy Spirit had somehow impressed upon him that he would live to see and recognize the Messiah.  It was this same Spirit that moved him to be in the temple courts when Mary and Joseph arrived with Jesus that day.  Apparently the Holy Spirit made it clear to Simeon that this babe was the fulfillment of the Lord’s word, and as he took the child in his arms he praised God for keeping His promise.  With that assurance, Simeon felt that his life service to the Lord was complete and he could now DEPART IN PEACE, but not until he SPOKE HIS PEACE!

Simeon’s prophecy affirms that God’s salvation includes the Gentiles along with the Jews!  God’s love and plan was for the WHOLE WORLD!  “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” – John 3:17.  Jesus is the glory of Israel, but He’s the Savior of ALL!   It’s reasonable to believe that Mary and Joseph had never met nor spoken with Simeon before this, so they were quite amazed by these words about their child.  Heavenly messengers had previously visited each of them; then, the shepherds confirmed everything with their angelic visit; and now Simeon presents this prophetic revelation about Jesus.  The pieces are coming together!

Simeon prophecied that Jesus was “destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel.”  Romans 9:30-33 explains to us that Christ is the stone that will people will either build upon or reject and stumble over – “… the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone." As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."  And, this child will also be “a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.”  People still have to decide in their own hearts what they believe about Jesus.  There’s no middle ground!  Either He is the Son of God, or He’s not!  Either He’s the Jewish Messiah, or He’s not!  Either He’s the Savior of the world, or He’s not!  Either He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, or He’s not!  Since His coming, everyone must deal in their heart with what to believe about Jesus.  What they believe in their heart will be revealed in their living and in their speech.

“And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”  Mary would live to see the day when this child that she now carried and nurtured would be hanging on a cross, and she would watch as a soldier pierced His side.  Every mother can understand the pain in her soul that she must have felt in those moments.  “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities.” – Isaiah 53:5.

 

Thursday:                                                                                                         

  • Meet together with at least 1 or 2 other believers to enter the Throne Room of Grace.
  • Join our 6:00pm Thursday night prayer team.         

Friday:                                         

  • Praise God for His intervention in our world!
  • Pray for the Good News families of the week: Frank & Anna Diehl, Phil DiMora, Ruth Doolittle.

Saturday:       

  • Praise God for faithful messengers – both heavenly and human who have proclaimed His Word!

Sunday:                                                                      

  • Thank God for a righteousness that is obtained by faith!

 Monday:                                                                                              

  • Praise God that we will never be put to shame for trusting in Christ Jesus!
  • Attend “In Touch” Prayer meeting at GNCC at 10:30am or join in prayer at that time.

 Tuesday:       

  • Praise God for His plan of salvation that includes the entire world!

Wednesday:   

  • Receive the benefits of Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf – forgiveness, healing and eternal life!

Prayer Challenge:  Ask God to help you build your life on the Rock.  Make Jesus both Savior and Lord of your life & family.

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