THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 2:25-35
“The thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.” (Luke 2:35)
The promised messiah has finally come, so why such dire predictions?
Isn’t the coming of Jesus supposed to be good news?
It is the truth that Jesus brings that sets people free.
But people do not always like the truth, especially about themselves.
Jesus does not come to make us feel good, or make life easy for us.
He speaks the truth of our problem: our sin, selfishness and separation from God.
Our inner self, our thoughts, our hearts, need to be exposed.
Light needs to shine in the darkness, in order to dispel it.
“Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” (John 3:20-21)
By His life and teaching, Jesus reveals God’s better way, God’s better world.
And it is contrary to everything we love and hold dear.
His calls for self-denial, radical grace and generosity, love for enemies…
Some walk away from Jesus, others get angry at Him, and some will want to kill Him.
Yet this is exactly what needs to happen for sin to be defeated, and sinners restored.
A sword needs to pierce our souls, so that we can be truly saved!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, a pierced soul is not what I wanted, but it is what I need. Shine Your light in my thoughts, in my heart, so that my darkness can be dispelled too!
Observations/Application
Simeon means God has heard. He was a man of integrity and waiting for the Redeemer.
Waiting.
Waiting.
We spend a lot of time waiting these days. Was it worth the wait? What am willing to wait for? There are times God calls us to wait. All in His timing.
The Holy Spirit was upon Him. Simeon was chosen by God for a task. He was a witness that Jesus was indeed the Christ. The shepherds were the first and Anna was the third – all confirmed that the child was indeed the Lord. God’s Word to Simeon was complete.
Everything I do must also be grounded in that Word. Simeon could depart in peace and I? I too need to be ready at all times to depart in peace. But in the meantime, I/we need to continue our days of service in the building of His kingdom.
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands
For it’s only in Your will that I am free
For it’s only in Your will that I am free
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be