Recognizing Jesus [Luke 1-2]

25And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29"Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; 30For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 31Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel." 33And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed--35and a sword will pierce even your own soul--to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."36And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,
37and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers.38At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

There were two people who recognized the baby Jesus when Mary and Joseph brought Him to the temple. They were Simeon and Anna. Simeon "was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him." Anna was a widow who "never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers."

They recognized Jesus as:

God's salvation
A light of revelation to the Gentiles
The glory of God's people Israel
Appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel
A sign to be opposed
A sword to pierce your own soul--to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed
The one they were looking for
The redemption of Jerusalem

We praise You, God, that You have made a way for us to recognize You through the Word, prayer, the Holy Spirit and fellowship with other believers just as You did with Simeon and Anna. Enable us to look for the grace that is to be revealed at Your coming. Cause us to be filled with Your Spirit , like Simeon, encouraging many to trust in You. We can't, but You can!

Beth Warlick, 12/5/2009