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Text to read: Luke 2:27 Prompted by the Spirit, he went into the Temple courts; and when the parents brought in the child Yeshua to do for him what the Torah required, 28 Shim‘on took him in his arms, made a b’rakhah to God, and said,
29 “Now, Adonai, according to your word,
your servant is at peace as you let him go;
30 for I have seen with my own eyes your yeshu‘ah,
31 which you prepared in the presence of all peoples —
32 a light that will bring revelation to the Goyim
and glory to your people Isra’el.”
33 Yeshua’s father and mother were marvelling at the things Shim‘on was saying about him. 34 Shim‘on blessed them and said to the child’s mother, Miryam,
“This child will cause many in Isra’el to fall and to rise,
he will become a sign whom people will speak against;
35 moreover, a sword will pierce your own heart too.
All this will happen in order to reveal many people’s inmost thoughts.”
36 There was also a prophet named Hannah Bat-P’nu’el, of the tribe of Asher. She was a very old woman — she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage 37 and had remained a widow ever since; now she was eighty-four. She never left the Temple grounds but worshipped there night and day, fasting and praying. 38 She came by at that moment and began thanking God and speaking about the child to everyone who was waiting for Yerushalayim to be liberated.
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Text to read: Luke 2:27-38
Verse 27
[27] And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
By the Spirit — By a particular revelation or impulse from him.
Verse 30
[30] For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Thy salvation — Thy Christ, thy Saviour.
Verse 32
[32] A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
And the glory of thy people Israel — For after the Gentiles are enlightened, all Israel shall be saved.
Verse 33
[33] And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken — For they did not thoroughly understand them.
Verse 34
[34] And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
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
[35] (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
A sword shall pierce through thy own soul — So it did, when he suffered: particularly at his crucifixion.
Verse 37
[37] And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
Fourscore and four years — These were the years of her life, not her widowhood only.
Who departed not from the temple — Who attended there at all the stated hours of prayer.
But served God with fastings and prayers — Even at that age.
Night and day — That is, spending therein a considerable part of the night, as well as of the day.
Verse 38
[38] And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
To all that were waiting for redemption — The sceptre flow appeared to he departing from Judah, though it was not actually gone: Daniel's weeks were plainly near their period. And the revival of the spirit of prophecy, together with the memorable occurrences relating to the birth of John the Baptist, and of Jesus, could not but encourage and quicken the expectation of pious persons at this time. Let the example of these aged saints animate those, whose hoary heads, like theirs, are a crown of glory, being found in the way of righteousness. Let those venerable lips, so soon to be silent in the grave, be now employed in the praises of their Redeemer. Let them labour to leave those behind, to whom Christ will be as precious as he has been to them; and who will be waiting for God's salvation, when they are gone to enjoy it.
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Daily Devotionals:
Monday, December 21, 2015
Text to read: Luke 2:27-38
- The expectation of Advent has led to the moment of Jesus’ birth.
- How has Advent and the Christmas event changed or inspired you?
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Text to read: Luke 2:27-38
- Read Luke 2:27-38. What do you think is the significance of Mary and Joseph presenting Jesus in the temple?
- How might their faith challenge you?
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Text to read: Luke 2:27-38
- In the temple, Simeon meets Jesus, the messiah for whom he had been waiting.
- Describe a time when you hoped for something and in time the hope was realized.
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Text to read: Luke 2:27-38
- Simeon and Anna, both prophets, bless Jesus in the temple.
- Imagine this incredible gift of love.
- Is there someone to whom you can provide a blessing this week?
- How would that blessing impact your life and theirs?
Friday. December 25, 2015
Text to read: Luke 2:27-38
- Mary and Joseph were likely amazed by the blessing their family received from the prophets.
- In what ways have others positively surprised you?
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Text to read: Luke 2:27-38
- The birth of Jesus was a public event.
- What does this say about God’s salvation?
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Text to read: Luke 2:27-38
- Pray for an opportunity to provide some form of blessing to someone this week.
First United Methodist Church
2111 Camino del Rio South
San Diego, California 92108, United States
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Sermon Story "" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 27 December 2015 Text to read: Luke 2:27 Prompted by the Spirit, he went into the Temple courts; and when the parents brought in the child Yeshua to do for him what the Torah required, 28 Shim‘on took him in his arms, made a b’rakhah to God, and said,
29 “Now, Adonai, according to your word,
your servant is at peace as you let him go;
30 for I have seen with my own eyes your yeshu‘ah,
31 which you prepared in the presence of all peoples —
32 a light that will bring revelation to the Goyim
and glory to your people Isra’el.”
33 Yeshua’s father and mother were marvelling at the things Shim‘on was saying about him. 34 Shim‘on blessed them and said to the child’s mother, Miryam,
“This child will cause many in Isra’el to fall and to rise,
he will become a sign whom people will speak against;
35 moreover, a sword will pierce your own heart too.
All this will happen in order to reveal many people’s inmost thoughts.”
36 There was also a prophet named Hannah Bat-P’nu’el, of the tribe of Asher. She was a very old woman — she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage 37 and had remained a widow ever since; now she was eighty-four. She never left the Temple grounds but worshipped there night and day, fasting and praying. 38 She came by at that moment and began thanking God and speaking about the child to everyone who was waiting for Yerushalayim to be liberated.
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We come to the Scriptures that speak of Mary and Joseph taking their snn, Jesus, into the Temple to dedicate him after the time was set for Mary's cleansing from giving birth according to the Law. As they entered, an old, old man saw them and recognized that Jesus is the promised Messiah to redeem all of Israel and all of humanity from their sins. Yes, the old man, Simeon said to God that He may let His servant die because He has seen the Promised Messiah of Israel. Yet, Simeon went on to say to Mary and Joseph that Jesus would me not only the good news for many in the world as well as bad news for others. If that was not enough, he told Mary that in what will happen to Jesus it will be like a sword piercing your own heart, Then, an old, old woman who was possibly some 87 years old unless she lived 87 years pass the death of her husband. Whichever is the case, she spoke about Jesus being the proised one and she praised God and shouted joy just as Simeon did. This reminds me of when babies are born and some people attempt to predict the positive fate of the child. Yet, when children are born with a known disability or diagnosed with one in their early years, there appears no positive attempt their future. Yet, the truth of the matter is that the child who grows up with some kind of disability changes the parents thinking as well as their siblings or other family members. The family tends to begin to see the child of bringing healing to their family and even churches if the openness of their minds and hearts come around. The Holy Spirit does this healing in the families' lives to see that all people are important to God and we really do need each other to grow in our faith and accomplish His Will in our lives and the life of His church. How do you respond to this scene in the Temple? How would you have reacted if you were the old man or old woman? Ho do you react to difficulties in your life? We come to eat the Body of Jesus and drink His Blood through the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to receive His blessings that we realize we do need all people in His Kingdom as we come singing the Hymn "O HOW I LOVE JESUS" by Frederick Whitfield, 1855.
1. There is a Name I love to hear,
I love to sing its worth;
It sounds like music in my ear,
The sweetest Name on earth.
Refrain:
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
2. Because He first loved me!
It tells me of a Savior’s love,
Who died to set me free;
It tells me of His precious blood,
The sinner’s perfect plea.
Refrain:
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
3. It tells me of a Father’s smile
Beaming upon His child;
It cheers me through this little while,
Through desert, waste, and wild.
Refrain:
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
4. It tells me what my Father hath
In store for every day,
And though I tread a darksome path,
Yields sunshine all the way.
Refrain:
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
5. It tells of One whose loving heart
Can feel my deepest woe;
Who in each sorrow bears
A part that none can bear below.
Refrain:
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
6. It bids my trembling heart rejoice.
It dries each rising tear.
It tells me, in a “still small voice,”
To trust and never fear.
Refrain:
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
7. Jesus, the Name I love so well,
The Name I love to hear:
No saint on earth its worth can tell,
No heart conceive how dear.
Refrain:
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
8. This Name shall shed its fragrance still
Along this thorny road,
Shall sweetly smooth the rugged hill
That leads me up to God.
Refrain:
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
9. And there with all the blood-bought throng,
From sin and sorrow free,
I’ll sing the new eternal song
Of Jesus’ love for me.
Refrain:
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,---------------------
Gary Lee Parker
4147 Idaho Street, Apt. 1
San Diego, California 92104-1844, United States
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