And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the Law, Then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy Word: For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, Which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A Light to lighten the Gentiles, and the Glory of Thy people Israel. (Luke 2:25-32)
God graciously allowed Simeon not only to live until Christ was born but also to see Jesus presented as a babe at the temple according to the Law. When God directed him to the temple and he held Jesus, He praised God and blessed the child who was the Son of God in human form. The Salvation of Israel as a nation, the Light unto all the Gentiles, and the Glory of Israel and of God who would save all people had been born. God’s Salvation would be given to all people.
Though the story of Joseph, Mary, and the shepherds is much more familiar, there are other people and events God revealed concerning the birth of Christ. Two faithful servants blessed the child when He was presented to the temple and the purification sacrifices were offered according to the Law. Before Joseph took his family back to Nazareth (they would return in every year for the Passover) he fulfilled all the requirements of God’s Law. Simeon met his Lord at the temple and blessed the child, praising God for His Salvation and for the Glory of Israel. Anna likewise praised God and spoke of Christ to all who would hear.
Christians today should also be as obedient to follow all that Jesus has commanded, not to keep what God has graciously provided but because of our love for our Lord. We should also be as joyous in praising Him for His wondrous works unto the children of men and testifying of all that God has done for us. We are to give thanks for His creation, for our redemption by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, and for our service to our King. We are to praise Him for His provision of all our needs, for His protection over His servants, and for His presence among His people as He teaches, guides, and corrects His children. The Light of the world has shone into our darkness and His love is shed abroad in our hearts and we are to go where He sends that we might reach the lost unto Salvation, teach the nations all that He has revealed, and preach His Word that all might be saved.
Just as Simeon and Anna, as obedient servants, praised and proclaimed the Messiah, God has sent those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
Though the story of Joseph, Mary, and the shepherds is much more familiar, there are other people and events God revealed concerning the birth of Christ. Two faithful servants blessed the child when He was presented to the temple and the purification sacrifices were offered according to the Law. Before Joseph took his family back to Nazareth (they would return in every year for the Passover) he fulfilled all the requirements of God’s Law. Simeon met his Lord at the temple and blessed the child, praising God for His Salvation and for the Glory of Israel. Anna likewise praised God and spoke of Christ to all who would hear.
Christians today should also be as obedient to follow all that Jesus has commanded, not to keep what God has graciously provided but because of our love for our Lord. We should also be as joyous in praising Him for His wondrous works unto the children of men and testifying of all that God has done for us. We are to give thanks for His creation, for our redemption by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, and for our service to our King. We are to praise Him for His provision of all our needs, for His protection over His servants, and for His presence among His people as He teaches, guides, and corrects His children. The Light of the world has shone into our darkness and His love is shed abroad in our hearts and we are to go where He sends that we might reach the lost unto Salvation, teach the nations all that He has revealed, and preach His Word that all might be saved.
Just as Simeon and Anna, as obedient servants, praised and proclaimed the Messiah, God has sent those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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