16.1.25 Luke 2:21-35
16 January
Prepare
Father God, here I am, I open myself to you. Please reveal yourself to me today, grab my attention by your spirit. Amplify your word and supernaturally highlight the places you want me to find you. Take these moments, pockets of my day and help me grow in new levels of faith.
Take a moment to be still.
Read – Luke 2:21-35
On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, 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 on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
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 may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
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”
Reflect
Simeon would have known that there were rumours regarding the coming of the Messiah, yet it was not rumours, but the Spirit who moved him into the temple on that day.
Simeon was a man who knew how to be led by the Holy Spirit, both in hearing God’s promise to him and being prompted to go to the temple at the right time. I long to know God’s voice like that, to me a picture of intimacy.
Intimacy leads to fruitfulness. Tyler Staton says in his book ‘’Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools”, ‘those who prioritize a loving relationship with God, meeting him in prayer through stolen moments throughout the day, long stretches of disciplined contemplation, and fiery pleas of intercession, are those with whom he shares his divine power.’
Jesus himself said, ‘This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit’. Fruit comes from intimacy.
Fruitfulness comes because we love Jesus and want to be with Him. And in being with him, we are moved into doing as Jesus did.
Be
Seeing your face,
Hearing your voice,
It’s all I want to do
In this sacred space
In this sacred space.
Wrapped in your love,
Calmed by peace
Is where I want to be
In this sacred space
In this sacred space.
Filled with your hope
Held by your grace
It’s where I want to be
In this sacred space
In this sacred space.
Become
How can you deepen your intimacy with Jesus today?
What is it on your heart that you want to share with Him?
Do
Today, gently ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you to reveal God’s heart towards you.
Practice:
Welcoming prayer, as is in the name, welcomes Jesus into every part of our life, body, circumstances and relationships. It is a way to detach ourselves from the need to be secure, liked and in control, and attach to the presence of Jesus instead.
Jesus, I let go of my need to be safe and secure. Welcome.
Jesus, I let go of my need to be accepted and approved of. Welcome.
Jesus, I let go of my need to control this person or event. Welcome.
Jesus, I let go of my need to change reality and receive it as it is. Welcome.