Word@Work Luke31 - Luke 2:33-35
Published: Wed, 02/03/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
AFFIRMING THE FAITHFUL
Luke 2:33-35 The child's father and mother marvelled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." (NIV)
Young parents need all the support they can get. Mary and Joseph were bearing the responsibility of the infant Jesus while miles away from their family in Nazareth. Over the past year God had spoken to them through angels, relatives and shepherds. All the messages said the same thing: that Mary's baby was the Saviour of the world. But how should they bring up such a child; there was nobody around who had any experience of caring for God the Son. The Divine pregnancy and the relocation to Bethlehem had used all their energy, but now that life was starting to settle down, how should they think about the baby and what should they do?
Simeon's words were God's confirmation of all that had been revealed previously. His identification of Jesus in the temple was only possible through the same Holy Spirit who had filled Mary. Jesus' purpose on earth as the Saviour of both Jews and Gentiles was clearly confirmed in Simeon's prophetic song (see Luke 2:28-32). And Mary would have reported to Luke how she and Joseph were embraced by a cycle of awesome admiration of Jesus, with wonder and thanksgiving of His destiny, yet their hearts were not afraid, but full and content (the Greek word for 'marvelled' contains all these ideas). But then, Simeon's blessing was more disturbing. Jesus would polarise people; their destiny would be linked to His, and that He would face great opposition. For Mary too, her darkest day was yet to come as she saw God's Son crucified on the cross for the sins of the world, but without fully understanding what was happening.
All good fathers communicate with their children. Likewise, with God. Often we need confirmation of what we already know, so that we can grow in courage to face a difficult future. God never promises a life free from suffering, and those who think otherwise get bitterly disappointed. But God is amazing in the way in which He prepares us for the future. He can use any method to get through to us. Of course, as a check, it is important to realise that none of those messages can ever contradict the written Scriptures. So don't be afraid or lose your nerve in a time of trouble. The Lord will let You know the critical information, encouragement or warning which you need at just the right time. And He will use whoever He chooses to relay the message to you. And He may also want to use you to give a message to somebody else. So live in tune with the Scriptures, praying about all the unknowns, and wait for the Lord to make His will known to you. It may be about work or family, community or church. But He will let you know: He is a speaking God!
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father. Thank You that You share Your plans with Your people. Thank You for so much which is easy to access in Your Word; and I want my heart to be easily accessable to You, so that I may know Your will and be encouraged to keep on trusting You as Mary and Joseph did. Please also help me to be sensitive to Your Holy Spirit so that I may know how to recognise Your inner affirmation, and take courage for the next step, In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Young parents need all the support they can get. Mary and Joseph were bearing the responsibility of the infant Jesus while miles away from their family in Nazareth. Over the past year God had spoken to them through angels, relatives and shepherds. All the messages said the same thing: that Mary's baby was the Saviour of the world. But how should they bring up such a child; there was nobody around who had any experience of caring for God the Son. The Divine pregnancy and the relocation to Bethlehem had used all their energy, but now that life was starting to settle down, how should they think about the baby and what should they do?
Simeon's words were God's confirmation of all that had been revealed previously. His identification of Jesus in the temple was only possible through the same Holy Spirit who had filled Mary. Jesus' purpose on earth as the Saviour of both Jews and Gentiles was clearly confirmed in Simeon's prophetic song (see Luke 2:28-32). And Mary would have reported to Luke how she and Joseph were embraced by a cycle of awesome admiration of Jesus, with wonder and thanksgiving of His destiny, yet their hearts were not afraid, but full and content (the Greek word for 'marvelled' contains all these ideas). But then, Simeon's blessing was more disturbing. Jesus would polarise people; their destiny would be linked to His, and that He would face great opposition. For Mary too, her darkest day was yet to come as she saw God's Son crucified on the cross for the sins of the world, but without fully understanding what was happening.
All good fathers communicate with their children. Likewise, with God. Often we need confirmation of what we already know, so that we can grow in courage to face a difficult future. God never promises a life free from suffering, and those who think otherwise get bitterly disappointed. But God is amazing in the way in which He prepares us for the future. He can use any method to get through to us. Of course, as a check, it is important to realise that none of those messages can ever contradict the written Scriptures. So don't be afraid or lose your nerve in a time of trouble. The Lord will let You know the critical information, encouragement or warning which you need at just the right time. And He will use whoever He chooses to relay the message to you. And He may also want to use you to give a message to somebody else. So live in tune with the Scriptures, praying about all the unknowns, and wait for the Lord to make His will known to you. It may be about work or family, community or church. But He will let you know: He is a speaking God!
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father. Thank You that You share Your plans with Your people. Thank You for so much which is easy to access in Your Word; and I want my heart to be easily accessable to You, so that I may know Your will and be encouraged to keep on trusting You as Mary and Joseph did. Please also help me to be sensitive to Your Holy Spirit so that I may know how to recognise Your inner affirmation, and take courage for the next step, In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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