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(Luke 2:25-38)
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Isa. 53:6, see also Rom. 3:9-19)
But God’s love and redemptive plan extends to all people and he calls all people to
repentance (2 Pe. 3:9)
He reaches out to all who are lost (Ezek. 18:23; 33:11;1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pe. 3:9; Isa.30:17-18)
God is a tender, patient, loving father (Hos. 11:1 & 3-4) who diligently keeps reaching
out to the lost (Luke 15: 4 & 8; 19:10; Matt. 18:11; Mark 2:17;Ezek.34:11-12, 16; Job
33:27-28; Isa. 49:15)
We exist and we are His children because He first loved us (Hos. 11:1, Deut. 7:7-9, 1
John 4:19)
His “cords” are restraints of love intended to preserve and protect us (Hos.11:3)
When we fall, He reaches down to pick us up and hold us (Hos. 11:3-4, Deut.1:31)
baqash {baw-kash'} Heb. reach out for, seek to hold or touch (see also Rom.
10:21)
As an act of love and grace, He bends down to ease our yoke, to heal and care for
us
God’s calls to us are an act of love and mercy (Hos. 11:1, Ex. 34:6-7)
Once we are found and adopted as sons or daughters of the Father, our status as such is
secure, based on His grace and not upon our works (Luke 15:31; John 10:28)
He invites us to rejoice with Him because He has recovered His lost (Luke 15:6 &
9; 23-24, 32)
Simeon (means “he that hears and obeys” and/or “he that is heard”)
Righteous (Luke 2:25) - usually used in reference to behavior towards other people
Devout (Luke 2:25)- usually used in reference to behavior towards God. From the Greek,
eulabes, meaning careful, serious and scrupulous in worship (Compare 2 Pe. 3:11-12)
Waiting (Ps. 130, Isa. 30:18, Lam. 3:25-26, Micah 7:7, Luke 12:35-40, Rom. 8:22-
25, James 5:7)
Consolation speaks to those longings for healing and restoration from all
the past losses and miseries of life.
What’s held in the heart affects what the eyes see and the ears hear.
Those who are waiting, watching and expecting to find Jesus are able to
see Him when others are not.
Revealed to Him
(note: Simeon, Elizabeth, Zechariah, John the Baptist are all said to have been
filled with the Holy Spirit before Pentecost)
Peace
Prophecy/Affirmation?
Simeon not only recognized the value of God’s gift but he also
recognized the immediacy of the gift. “Now,” the first word
in verse 29, marks a turning point in Simeon’s life. In 2 Cor.
6:2, Paul wrote, “now is the time of salvation.”
Sword will pierce your own soul (Said to Mary) (Luke 2:35)
Picture in your mind, the shadow of the cross over the baby
Jesus
“Many would fall” describes the life of those who refuse God’s gift.
We can live a new life NOW, not just in the future or after our
physical death and resurrection. (Rom. 6:4, 8:11)
God knows our weaknesses/vulnerabilities and if we let Him lead, He will help us
steer clear of situations that are likely to harm us spiritually, and thereby possibly
diminish our faith in Him (1 Cor. 10:12-13)
Following God’s lead protects us from both seen and unseen dangers.
If you will only let God lead you, He will perfect that which is lacking in you.
Following God’s lead will bring blessings and will set you above and apart from the
world. Failing to do so, will make you accursed and be overcome by the world (Deut. 28)
God, our Great Shepherd, leads with both strength and gentle affection (Isa.40:10-11)
Those whom God leads, and who follow, He also “keeps” (Gen. 28:15)
God leads us in a way that is consistent with His merciful nature, covering
and sustaining us (Isa. 49:10)
We may not always understand why He chooses a particular route for us to travel, but we
can be sure of the ultimate destination. God will ultimately lead us away from the path to
death unto the way to eternal life.
God has both the desire and the ability to lead us unto eternal life (Rev.7:17)
We should desire and pray to be led by God (Ps. 5:8; 25:5; 27:11; 31:3; 43:3; 61:2; 67:4;
139:24; 143:10; Matt. 6:13; Luke 11:4)
Anna (name means “gracious” or “giving”)
Prophetess (Luke 2:36) One of a very small. Select group of female prophets
mentioned in the Bible.
Tribe of Asher (Luke 2:36) - One of the “lost tribes” after the Assyrian captivity.
Considered to be wealthy and not particularly devout. No prophets or judges came out of
this tribe.
Customarily, the Jews’ prayers begin with thanking and praising God and
acknowledging His glory.
Redemption speaks to our need to be delivered from the powers that still
hold us in bondage. (Luke 1:68: Zechariah’s prophecy)
Old Simeon & Anna being present at the presentation of the baby Jesus may serve to
symbolize the coming together of the old and new, the transition from an age of hope based
on the Law and the Prophets to the age of salvation through God’s gift of Jesus Christ.
People cannot remain neutral concerning Jesus
We are all called to make a choice (Deut. 30:19,20, Moses just before his death, Joshua
24:15, at age 95). To get off the fence, not to waver (1 Kings 18:21, the Hebrew word
translated as waver here literally means to be lame or limp), not to remain lukewarm
(Rev 3:15-16).
The choice is ours, as are the consequences (Deut. 28:1-14, blessings, Deut. 28:15-68),
curses, see also Exodus 20:4-5)
God is not a fan of deferred decisions. "Choose you this day..." The time element often
has a bearing upon our opportunity of choice. Sometimes the passage of time closes
doors. (2 Cor. 6;2; Hebrews 4:7, Psalm 95:7-8. Ecc. 12:1)
The time to reach out to others for Jesus is now! (John 4:35-36)
We have only give the invitation “Come and see”, based upon our own personal witness.
(John 4:29)
Jesus himself will be the one to change the hearts (John 4:42)
Never stop praying for people, even up to the last instant (Luke 23:39-43, 1 Tim. 2:1-4)