Word@Work Luke30 - Luke 2:27b-32
Published: Tue, 02/02/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
SATISFIED BY THE SAVIOUR
Luke 2:27b-32 When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." (NIV)
However prepared we may be, life changing events are always more potent than their anticipation. The death of a loved one induces more grief, and a longed-for birth surprises us with greater joy than we had imagined; and water in the desert produces an intensity of satisfaction for the thirsty traveller. For Simeon, the moment had come. For years, the Holy Spirit had inspired him with a hunger to see God's Messiah. Now, when a young couple brought their firstborn son to be presented to the Lord (see Ex 13:12-13), he was in the right place at the right time; and the Spirit opened his eyes to see that this baby was the answer to all his hopes.
Jewish rabbis used to refer to the coming Messiah as the Consoler/Comforter of Israel - the One who would come in strength to be alongside and to satisfy the hunger for God's presence. Filled with the Spirit (the 'other Comforter' - see John 14:16 KJV), Simeon took Jesus in his arms, praised God and prophesied that all the Old Testament promises of salvation would be fulfilled in Him. And, devout Jew though he was, Simeon saw Jesus as the revealer of light to Gentiles too. For Simeon, that moment was enough to fill his whole life. Certain that he had met the Saviour of the world, he affirmed to Mary and Joseph what angels, Elizabeth and shepherds had said, which was just the same as they heard from the angel Gabriel. The old man could now die satisfied. His job in life was done.
None of us can have Simeon's role, but God intends that every believer should serve Him in the motivation and power of the Holy Spirit. Most believers considerably underestimate their value to God and their role in His kingdom. As Simeon knew, the greatest pleasure and privilege is to announce that Jesus is the Saviour for the whole world. Jesus said that He is the Light of the world and that we have a responsibility to enlighten the darkness by our deeds and words. We are to demonstrate that Christ's salvation liberates us from cowering under sin, in order that we can live in the Spirit and proclaim the Saviour. That responsibility starts again today, and in the place where you are. But none of us can fulfil such a mandate unless we are willing to be filled by the Holy Spirit, and walk in step with Him. So ask him for a willing heart to receive the fullness of His presence and His power.
Prayer: Prayer: Wonderful Lord. Thank You for choosing me to work with You in Your kingdom. Please give me a heart that wants to place Your business as my highest priority, Your message as my most privileged conversation and Your power as my resource to fulfil my destiny on earth. May I rejoice in sins forgiven and a sacred job for life. Help me up when I stumble, and given me enough encouragement to keep moving ahead; but not so much that I get proud and believe the devil's lie that I can do Your work in my own strength. 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
However prepared we may be, life changing events are always more potent than their anticipation. The death of a loved one induces more grief, and a longed-for birth surprises us with greater joy than we had imagined; and water in the desert produces an intensity of satisfaction for the thirsty traveller. For Simeon, the moment had come. For years, the Holy Spirit had inspired him with a hunger to see God's Messiah. Now, when a young couple brought their firstborn son to be presented to the Lord (see Ex 13:12-13), he was in the right place at the right time; and the Spirit opened his eyes to see that this baby was the answer to all his hopes.
Jewish rabbis used to refer to the coming Messiah as the Consoler/Comforter of Israel - the One who would come in strength to be alongside and to satisfy the hunger for God's presence. Filled with the Spirit (the 'other Comforter' - see John 14:16 KJV), Simeon took Jesus in his arms, praised God and prophesied that all the Old Testament promises of salvation would be fulfilled in Him. And, devout Jew though he was, Simeon saw Jesus as the revealer of light to Gentiles too. For Simeon, that moment was enough to fill his whole life. Certain that he had met the Saviour of the world, he affirmed to Mary and Joseph what angels, Elizabeth and shepherds had said, which was just the same as they heard from the angel Gabriel. The old man could now die satisfied. His job in life was done.
None of us can have Simeon's role, but God intends that every believer should serve Him in the motivation and power of the Holy Spirit. Most believers considerably underestimate their value to God and their role in His kingdom. As Simeon knew, the greatest pleasure and privilege is to announce that Jesus is the Saviour for the whole world. Jesus said that He is the Light of the world and that we have a responsibility to enlighten the darkness by our deeds and words. We are to demonstrate that Christ's salvation liberates us from cowering under sin, in order that we can live in the Spirit and proclaim the Saviour. That responsibility starts again today, and in the place where you are. But none of us can fulfil such a mandate unless we are willing to be filled by the Holy Spirit, and walk in step with Him. So ask him for a willing heart to receive the fullness of His presence and His power.
Prayer: Prayer: Wonderful Lord. Thank You for choosing me to work with You in Your kingdom. Please give me a heart that wants to place Your business as my highest priority, Your message as my most privileged conversation and Your power as my resource to fulfil my destiny on earth. May I rejoice in sins forgiven and a sacred job for life. Help me up when I stumble, and given me enough encouragement to keep moving ahead; but not so much that I get proud and believe the devil's lie that I can do Your work in my own strength. In Jesus Name. Amen.
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