San Diego First United Methodist Church – Daily Devotion for
Sunday, 29 December 2013 - Sermon theme for coming Sunday: Power for Living
Text to read: Luke 2: Jesus Is Named
21 After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the
child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was
conceived in the womb.
Jesus Is Presented in the Temple
22 When the time came for their purification according to the
law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23
(as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be
designated as holy to the Lord”), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to
what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young
pigeons.”
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon;[a]
this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of
Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by
the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s
Messiah.[b] 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon[c] came into the temple; and when
the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under
the law, 28 Simeon[d] took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
29 “Master, now you are dismissing your servant[e] in peace,
according to your
word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have
prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your
people Israel.”
33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was
being said about him. 34 Then Simeon[f] blessed them and said to his mother
Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many
will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Footnotes:
a. Luke 2:25 Gk Symeon
b. Luke 2:26 Or the Lord’s Christ
c. Luke 2:27 Gk In the Spirit, he
d. Luke 2:28 Gk he
e. Luke 2:29 Gk slave
f. Luke 2:34 Gk Symeon
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John Wesley’s Notes/Commentary for Luke 2:21-35
Verse 21. To circumcise the child - That he might visibly be
made under the law by a sacred rite, which obliged him to keep the whole law;
as also that he might be owned to be the seed of Abraham, and might put an
honour on the solemn dedication of children to God.
Verse 22. The days - The forty days prescribed, Lev. xii, 2, 4.
Verse 23. Exod. xiii, 2.
24. A pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons - This offering
sufficed for the poor. Lev. xii, 8.
Verse 25. The consolation of Israel - A common phrase for the
Messiah, who was to be the everlasting consolation of the Israel of God. The
Holy Ghost was upon him - That is, he was a prophet.
Verse 27. By the Spirit - By a particular Revelation or impulse
from him.
Verse 30. Thy salvation - Thy Christ, thy saviour.
Verse 32. And the glory of thy people Israel - For after the
Gentiles are enlightened, all Israel shall be saved.
Verse 33. Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which
were spoken - For they did not thoroughly understand them.
Verse 34. Simeon blessed them - Joseph and Mary. This child is
set for the fall and rising again of many - That is, he will be a savour of
death to some, to unbelievers: a savour of life to others, to believers: and
for a sign which shall be spoken against - A sign from God, yet rejected of
men: but the time for declaring this at large was not yet come: that the
thoughts of many hearts may be revealed - The event will be, that by means of
that contradiction, the inmost thoughts of many, whether good or bad, will be
made manifest.
Verse 35. A sword shall pierce through thy own soul - So it did,
when he suffered: particularly at his crucifixion.
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Daily Devotions from Monday, 23 December 2013 through Sunday, 29
December 2013
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Monday - Simeon “sees” in this child the promise.
What is the promise you are looking for this year?
Tuesday - Simeon was a “devout man.”
What does devout look like for you?
Wednesday – Spend some time in contemplating what “consolation”
means.
Thursday – The statement “a light to lighten the Gentiles and
the Glory of Israel” is a statement of inclusion.
How does this feel to you -- that God’s love is open to all
people?
Friday – What does it mean to you to have the Holy Spirit “rest”
on you?
Saturday – What has been your experience with the Holy Spirit?
How does the Holy Spirit guide you?
Sunday – As you approach the New Year, what are you needing to
see in Jesus that is new and surprising?
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First United Methodist Church
2111 Comino del Rio South
San Diego, CA 92108 United States
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