Anchor My Faith

Another Promise

Scripture: Luke 2:24-26

Our previous lesson ended with Jesus being presented to the Lord at the temple up in Jerusalem. They spoke of going up to Jerusalem because Jerusalem was located at a higher elevation than surrounding locations. When presenting Jesus, a sacrifice was required: “and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons” (Luke 2:24 ESV). How wealthy one is, determines what the required sacrifice is: “And if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean” (Leviticus 12:8 ESV). Based on the offering Joseph and Mary brought when presenting Jesus, they would be considered poor, or of modest means, at least they are not among the more well-to-do who could afford to offer a lamb. We should watch for other situations where God chooses the poor as a channel of his blessing or work.

“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” (Luke 2:25 ESV). As we walk, day by day, along the path through the gospels, we meet various people that God used in his plan of salvation. Today we will meet Simeon and will learn about him and how God used him. He lived in Jerusalem and was thought to be a distinguished teacher. He was further set apart from other men named Simeon, who also lived in Jerusalem, by the observation that he was righteous and devout. He was righteous before God and man and faithfully discharged his duty to man. As a devout person, he was religious and regulated his conduct according to the law of God. He had a good reputation and a high standing among the people.

The “consolation of Israel” refers to the hope that the Messiah would come to rescue and comfort his people. We will see in Luke 2:30 that this hope also includes salvation. So far in our study we have noticed that the mention of Holy Spirit being upon him was an indication that God had chosen this person for some special task and had overshadowed that one with divine protection, knowledge and influence. Simeon was expecting the soon arrival of the Messiah, as we learn from the next verse.

“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” (Luke 2:26 ESV). In some way, maybe a dream or a voice from God, the Holy Spirit made known to Simeon that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Christ. Again God made a promise that an event would happen. Since Simeon was an old man, he knew the coming of Christ had to be soon for God to keep his promise. Do you suspect what will happen in the next lesson?

Prayer

Father, as we think about Jesus being in the temple and the promise you made to Simeon, how can we not expect you to bring them together in our next lesson. Each day in our journey, detail by detail, the picture of our salvation is becoming clearer. It is a process that will unfold over the next few years of study, if this is your will for my life. Father, I pray that, the Holy Spirit will enable me to complete this work.