Luke 2:29-35
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Starting with Simeon’s prophecy from our last passage, read Luke 2:29-35 imagining what it must have been like for Mary and Joseph to hear these words.
Both Mary and Joseph had encounters with the Angel Gabriel in which they were told about the baby they would parent, and they both were there when the shepherds described the angelic announcement of Jesus’ birth. But when Simeon prophecies over the infant Savior, they are amazed. They seem to have understood that their child would grow to be the Messiah of Israel, but Simeon’s prophecy paints a much larger picture. Jesus will be more than a revolutionary to overthrow the oppressors of Israel, he will be a “light to reveal God to the nations.” Jesus will do what the nation of Israel failed to do – he will bless all the families of the earth.
Throughout the Old Testament the people of Israel continued to turn away from God’s purpose, and as a result they found themselves plagued by enemies. Rather than shining the light of God, they turned inward and developed a strong “them and us” view of the world.
Take a moment to remember the call of God to Abram in Genesis 12:1-3:
“Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”
Share any thoughts you have about this with Jesus now.
Read Luke 2:29-35 again with all of this in mind.
When our deeply formed convictions are challenged, our response can often reveal “the deepest thoughts of our hearts.” When Jesus begins his earthly ministry, he will challenge the religious convictions of many Israelites and many will react with anger and hatred. In their blind efforts to hold on to their convictions, however erroneous, they will miss the simplicity of God’s greatest commandments: Love God; love others.
As you end this time of meditation, contemplate the call of God through the prophet Isaiah. Imagine that Isaiah is addressing these words to all followers of Jesus – including you.
“Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see.
For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you.
Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth,
but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you.
All nations will come to your light;
mighty kings will come to see your radiance.” – Isaiah 60:1-3
What do you sense Jesus calling you to do today?
How will you respond to him?
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