 |
 |
Devotions Archive
Archive:
1999
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
2007
|
2008
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
2014
|
2015
|
2016
|
2017
|
2018
|
2019
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
2023
|
2024
Love's pure lightSaturday, December 26, 2009
Luke 2:21-35 They were only doing what the law required of them, but Simeon saw them clearly. These three stood out from the rest of the supplicants and sacrificers. Their baby shone with something not everyone could see, but Simeon was dazzled. How does Jesus do this? Not by his own will, but by God shining through him. As an adult he bewildered and amazed people in exactly that way. Jesus' freedom from ego allowed him to act without re-acting and to speak strongly without much concern for defending himself. How does he act as a baby? The story doesn't say. But Simeon sees the light shining around him and knows it's God. Is this baby Jesus himself God? On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons." Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord\'s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. 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." The child's father and mother marveled 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." Lord, I commend my spirit into your hands. You will be my refuge, my stronghold, my rock, my fortress. So I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy and your commitment and your strength. Shine your face on us, Lord. (Psalm 31) |
The story of Jesus continues. Now he has a name and has been circumcised. His father and mother come into the world with him, into Jerusalem the big city, into the temple. They all have left the stable behind.