Dearest e-votees-
This week contains the day (February 2) that is set aside to commemorate the Presentation of our Lord. The purity laws (see Leviticus 12) required 40 days to elapse between the birth of a male child and when he could be presented to the Lord. If you start counting on Christmas Day the 40th day is February 2nd.
For our devotional focus this week we’ll look at the appointed text from Luke for Presentation of our Lord.
Peace,
Karl
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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 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too." There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
One of the deep characteristics of Jesus’ life and ministry on this earth is that he brought to completion the promises and prophecies in the Law and the Prophets. He didn’t come to eradicate or trample on God’s promises to God’s people but rather to complete them. Simeon and Anna were ones who knew God and knew God’s promises. They were able to witness Jesus and Mary and Joseph abiding by God’s expectations. It is crucially important to people of faith to know that God does not abandon promises but fulfills them. Do you know that?
The last verse of our appointed text “The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.” aligns nicely with one coming in another 12 verses: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.” (NRSV) Jesus has come into the world to live out and deliver God’s promises. It is winsome to see God’s wisdom and power at work in Jesus. It is a revelation to us Gentiles and to the people of Israel.
God coming into a broken and sinful world can be difficult at times too. Mary’s soul was pierced at the foot of the cross. God’s promises being open to all can be unsettling to those of us who would rather have a more private club. But God’s grace and love and reconciliation pay no mind our arbitrary boundaries. God being true to God’s self and God’s promises necessitates rejecting our sin-stained forms and expectations.
A good summary of what Jesus came into the world to do on God’s behalf can be found in the following verse:
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
God, help us receive Jesus this day with joy and hope and expectation—like Simeon and like Anna. Give us grace to receive the promises that you make. Forgive us when we try to constrain your goodness with our hard hearts and our disbelief. We say “Amen” to your glory.
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