A Prophecy of Pain
“Mary, Joseph, and Simeon all played a part in God’s salvation plan.”
Luke 2:21-35 (ESV)
And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
And 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 male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said 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, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
Reflection
We all have the potential to play an important part in God’s overall plan but how often do we make ourselves available? I know this is where I can fall short of my calling. I read amazing, life changing stories in the Bible and think about how God used that person or their story. But then at other times, I don’t seek to hear God or ask how He would want to use my experiences to speak life into someone else. When I miss those opportunities, I ask God to give me another chance because I know I have had experiences that others can relate to.
In today’s scripture, Mary was up for the challenge! She was just a young teenage girl, whom I assume had her own expectations for her life, but God had another plan. He chose a small-town peasant girl to deliver the Messiah to the world. All Mary did was say she was willing to be used by God.
A few days after Mary delivered Jesus, she and Joseph took Him to the temple to be dedicated and to offer a sacrifice as He was the first child born to them. While they were in the temple, a prophet named Simeon recognized the importance of this special dedication and began to prophesy about Jesus and what He would eventually do for humanity. Jesus’ parents were overwhelmed by what Simeon foretold, but seemed excited for their Son’s future.
Mary, Joseph, and Simeon all played a part in God’s salvation plan. They were all willing to do their part to see God work through them. Mary may have needed encouragement at that very time to prepare her to know that Jesus would face much persecution. Joseph might have needed to hear those words from a well-respected prophet who had been sent by the Holy Spirit to the temple. And Simeon had waited his entire life to see the Messiah, the one who would die for all of our sins. Imagine how Simeon must have felt waiting all this time, knowing God was faithful in His word by letting the old prophet finally witness Jesus’ birth.
My hope is that we all seek to hear from God and are willing to be used to bring Him glory. Like Simeon, you never know how He may want to use your story to help someone else.
Action step
Ask God what steps you can take for Him to use your story today. We all have unique experiences and each one of us can relate to different people if we allow God to work through us.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for this day! I don’t always feel worthy of Your calling but give me the encouragement to be used by You. I know my testimony is worth telling and that someone needs to hear how You have changed my life. Give me the boldness and confidence to speak Your life changing words to others. I want to be a witness for You! Amen.
And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
And 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 male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said 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, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
Reflection
We all have the potential to play an important part in God’s overall plan but how often do we make ourselves available? I know this is where I can fall short of my calling. I read amazing, life changing stories in the Bible and think about how God used that person or their story. But then at other times, I don’t seek to hear God or ask how He would want to use my experiences to speak life into someone else. When I miss those opportunities, I ask God to give me another chance because I know I have had experiences that others can relate to.
In today’s scripture, Mary was up for the challenge! She was just a young teenage girl, whom I assume had her own expectations for her life, but God had another plan. He chose a small-town peasant girl to deliver the Messiah to the world. All Mary did was say she was willing to be used by God.
A few days after Mary delivered Jesus, she and Joseph took Him to the temple to be dedicated and to offer a sacrifice as He was the first child born to them. While they were in the temple, a prophet named Simeon recognized the importance of this special dedication and began to prophesy about Jesus and what He would eventually do for humanity. Jesus’ parents were overwhelmed by what Simeon foretold, but seemed excited for their Son’s future.
Mary, Joseph, and Simeon all played a part in God’s salvation plan. They were all willing to do their part to see God work through them. Mary may have needed encouragement at that very time to prepare her to know that Jesus would face much persecution. Joseph might have needed to hear those words from a well-respected prophet who had been sent by the Holy Spirit to the temple. And Simeon had waited his entire life to see the Messiah, the one who would die for all of our sins. Imagine how Simeon must have felt waiting all this time, knowing God was faithful in His word by letting the old prophet finally witness Jesus’ birth.
My hope is that we all seek to hear from God and are willing to be used to bring Him glory. Like Simeon, you never know how He may want to use your story to help someone else.
Action step
Ask God what steps you can take for Him to use your story today. We all have unique experiences and each one of us can relate to different people if we allow God to work through us.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for this day! I don’t always feel worthy of Your calling but give me the encouragement to be used by You. I know my testimony is worth telling and that someone needs to hear how You have changed my life. Give me the boldness and confidence to speak Your life changing words to others. I want to be a witness for You! Amen.
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