Monday, January 2, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading
Luke 2:21–40

After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 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. (NRSV)   

Reflection

Simeon has been told by the Holy Spirit that before he dies he will be allowed to see the one whom God has chosen to rescue the world. He somehow just knows that Mary and Joseph are presenting Jesus and he shows up at the temple at the right time. It’s as though the Holy Spirit put a reminder on his calendar for that day. He declares that this baby is the one who will be the salvation of the whole world—not just Jews but also Gentiles. But immediately after Simeon’s declaration, he turns to Mary and tells her that this salvation will not come easy. Jesus will be the source of rising and falling for people in Israel. Imagine how Mary felt hearing this declaration: Your son will be great, and he’ll also be the reason for great turmoil.  

And then another stranger, Anna, comes forward to confirm the salvation message of Simeon by giving thanks to God and speaking about this child to all those who were looking for “the redemption of Jerusalem.” Anna lived in the temple, fasting, and praying there night and day.  

I keep thinking about how this would play out in our world today. We show up for our baby to be baptized, and a stranger comes forward to hold up our child and says, “He will be great, and then he’ll cause trouble.” And then a woman who lives in the temple validates what the strange man says. We would turn and run. Imagine being Mary and Joseph, having these two strangers come forward at this holy ceremony and making these proclamations, and then, Luke says, they went home to their own town. Like ho-hum, these things just happened to us in the temple; let’s go home and fix lunch.  

Prayer

Open my mind, heart, and soul to the messages around me. No matter from whom they come, keep my mind open to hear your word. Amen. 

Written by Chris Horsman, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church  

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

Devotion index by date

Please email me daily devotions