Week
of Christmas - B
This is a Three-Year Lectionary based on the Lutheran Book of
Worship 3-year Lectionary (for public worship), "Prayers of the
Day..." (Propers), p. 13-41, Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis,
1978. It is based, with only minor variations, on the Revised Common
Lectionary, used by many denominations, including the Episcopal,
Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches:
http://www.commontexts.org/
and:
http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/usage.html
The daily readings are the Propers (Lections) for the following
Sunday, so that the daily devotions can prepare us for worship.
Additional Lections are from Common Service Book of the Lutheran
Church, "Scripture lessons for Matins and Vespers," United Lutheran
Church of America, General Rubrics VIII. Scripture lessons for
Matins and Vespers, p. 299 - 304, Philadelphia, 1918.
The previous 2- year Bible Study based on the Lutheran Book of
Worship, Daily Lectionary for personal devotions p.179-192, Augsburg
Publishing House, Minneapolis, 1978, is available at:
http://shepherdboy.byethost12.com/
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Podcast Download: Week of
Christmas B
Sunday
Christmas Day December 25 - B
First posted
12/25/03;
Podcast: December
25 - B
Isaiah 52:7-10 - God Reigns!
Psalm 97 - The Lord Reigns!
Hebrews 1:1-9 - The "Anointed" Eternal
King!
John 1:1-14 - Prologue of John;
Isaiah Paraphrase:
The paths of those who cross mountains to bring "good news," who
publish peace and goodness, who announce to Zion (the people of God;
the city of God, the Church) that the Lord reigns, are beautiful.
Listen! Our watchmen shout for joy, seeing with their own eyes the
return of the Lord to Zion. Let the desolate places in Jerusalem
break out in song, because the Lord "has comforted his people; he
has redeemed Jerusalem" (Isaiah 52:9b). The Lord has revealed his
holy arm in the sight of all people, and the furthest ends of the
earth will behold his salvation.
Psalm Paraphrase:
Let all the earth rejoice, and the many coastlands be glad, because
the Lord reigns! The Lord conceals himself in clouds and thick
darkness. His throne is founded on righteousness and justice.
The Lord's wrath is a destroying fire, burning up his enemies. His
lightening bolts illuminate the darkness of the world and shake the
earth. Like wax, mountains melt before the Lord of all the earth.
The heavens declare God's righteousness and his glory is revealed to
all nations and peoples. Those who boast in worthless idols and
worship images will be put to eternal shame. All other "gods" humble
themselves before the Lord. The people of God celebrate and rejoice
in his judgments. The Lord is high above all people of earth and is
exalted above all "gods."
Those who hate evil are the Lord's beloved. He preserves the lives
of his saints (those who are committed to God's service) and
delivers them from the power of the wicked.
"Light dawns for the righteous and joy for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy
name" (Psalm 97:11-12)!
Hebrews Paraphrase:
In earlier times, God's spoke to the forefathers of Israel by
prophets, but now he has spoken to us through his Son, by and
through whom the world was created (John 1:1-3; 14) and who is the
heir of all things. Jesus is the reflection of God's glory, and the
revelation of God's character. He upholds the Universe by his Word,
which has the creative power of God (John 14:10, 24). Mark 4:39-41).
Jesus came to offer the sacrifice (of himself of the cross)
for our purification from sin. Having accomplished that, he has
taken his throne at the right hand of God in heaven. He is far
superior to angels, and his name is above all others in heaven and
on earth (Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9-11).
God declared that Jesus is his (only, begotten) Son (Psalm 2:7;
Matthew 3:17), and God is his Father. God's angels are spirits
(Hebrews 1:6b; 14) who serve the Lord, but Jesus is God's "anointed"
eternal king (Hebrews 1:8-9; compare Psalms 45:6), far above all
angels.
John Paraphrase:
The Word of God was with God at Creation, and was God in character
and nature. Everything in Creation was made through him. In him is
true eternal life, and that life is light. The light (of
righteousness, spiritual enlightenment and eternal life) shines in
the spiritual darkness of sin, spiritual ignorance, and spiritual
death, and has not been overcome by spiritual darkness.
John the Baptizer, was sent by God to testify to that light, so that
all might believe through his testimony. John didn't claim to be the
light, or to possess any light of his own. The true light of
spiritual enlightenment was coming into the world. The Creator of
the world came into the world physically, but the world didn't
recognize him. He came to his own people (the Jews) and to his own
home (Nazareth) but they didn't recognize or welcome him (Luke
4:16-30). "But to all who did receive him he gave the
power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of
the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God (John
1:13).
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us full of grace and
truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only (begotten) Son
from the Father" (John 1:14).
Commentary:
God is God whether we acknowledge him or not. The people of God, who
trust and obey God's Word, those who love righteousness (doing what
is right, good, and true, according to God's Word) rejoice that the
Lord reigns. The watchmen are the Church, the "born-again"disciples
of Jesus Christ, who have personally experienced the return of the
Lord, through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only
Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey
Jesus (John 14:15-17). Jesus is the holy arm of God's almighty power
and salvation, which has been revealed to the entire world.
The Lord conceals himself in cloud and thick darkness, as he
manifested himself to Israel at Mount Sinai (Mt. Horeb; Psalm
97:2-5; compare Exodus 19:16-22). But when we seek him earnestly, he
will allow us to "find" him; he will manifest himself to us
personally and individually through the gift of his indwelling Holy
Spirit (Acts 17:26-27). The Holy Spirit is the pillar of cloud and
fire (Exodus 13:21-22) that will guide us through the wilderness of
this lifetime and into the eternal Promised Land in heaven.
Jesus is the "light of the world" (John 12:46), the light of
righteousness (John 3:19-21; not of our own, but the righteousness
of God through faith; i.e. obedient trust), spiritual
enlightenment (John 1:9), and eternal life (John 1:4; 8:12).
God has been progressively revealing himself and his purpose for
Creation, first through the goodness of Creation itself, then
through the history of God's dealing with Israel recorded in the
Bible. Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God to the world in human
flesh.
Jesus is God in human flesh (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28).
Jesus is the "living Word" of God, the fulfillment, embodiment and
example of God's Word lived in this world in human flesh (John
1:1-5, 14). Jesus is the only to find and know God, the only way to
know divine, eternal truth, and the only way to have eternal life
(John 14:6). Only Jesus can reveal God to us (Matthew 11:27). If we
have known Jesus we have known God (John 14:8-10).
The only way to personally know Jesus is through the gift of the
indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only
to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy
Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has
eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b,
11, 15-16). Jesus promises that if we love him and trust and obey
his teachings, he will come to us and manifest himself to us
personally and individually (John 14:21).
We can be God's adopted sons and daughters through faith in Jesus
Christ, but Jesus is the first-born and only begotten Son of God. He
is the heir to God's kingdom which he shares with us through faith
in him (1Peter 1:3-5).
Jesus is not "Plan B." God was not surprised that, when he gave us
freedom to choose whether to trust and obey his Word, we chose
rebellion and disobedience. God designed Creation from the very
beginning with his Savior, Jesus Christ, "built in" to the very
structure of Creation. We have all sinned (disobeyed God's Word) and
fall short of God's righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). The
penalty for sin is (eternal) death (Romans 6:23). God loves us and
doesn't want anyone to perish eternally (Romans 5:8; John 3:16-17).
Jesus is God's one and only provision for our forgiveness and
salvation from eternal condemnation and destruction (Acts 4:12; John
14:6). Salvation is by grace (a free gift; unmerited favor), which
must be received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ
(Ephesians 2:8-9; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right,
home).
Jesus is God's free gift of salvation, but we must claim and
appropriate that salvation by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus. God
gives us the power and opportunity, but we must accept and act! We
don't become God's children by our own will, or by genetics,
or physiology, or by religious rite.
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus'
disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John
14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first
truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ
and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew
28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity
(1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Monday
December 26 - B
First Posted
December 26, 2008;
Podcast: December 26 - B
Psalm 111 - Praise the Lord;
Paraphrase:
Praise the Lord!* Let us praise the Lord in the Congregation of the
upright.
All the works of the Lord are great. Those who study them will
delight in them. God's righteousness endures forever, and his works
are characterized by honor and majesty. Gracious and merciful is the
Lord, and his works are wonderful and worthy of remembrance.
The Lord constantly remembers his covenant and he provides
sustenance for those who fear him. He has revealed his power to his
people through his works; to them he has given the heritage of the
nations.
The Lord is faithful and just in everything he does, and his Word is
completely trustworthy, and will stand forever, to be kept with
faithfulness and uprightness. "He sent redemption to his people; he
has commanded his covenant for ever" (Psalm 111:9). His name is Holy
and awesome! "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a
good understanding have all those who practice it! His praise
endures for ever" (Psalm 11:110).
Commentary:
All the works of the Lord are great and wonderful, and the delight
of those who study them. They are worthy of our remembrance. All
Creation testifies to the goodness, wisdom and power of God.
Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God's righteousness, mercy,
wisdom and power (1 Corinthians 1:17-25). God's Word imparts divine
wisdom, as distinct from the wisdom of this world. Until we realize
that God has the power of eternal life or death over us, we don't
know anything of any lasting importance and benefit. The fear of the
Lord is the appropriate awe and respect for his power and authority.
Jesus is the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God's Word,
lived in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is the
redemption, from sin (disobedience of God's Word; Romans 3:23; 1
John 1:8-10) and death (eternal death, the penalty for sin; Romans
6:23), which God has given to his people. Jesus is the mediator of
the new, eternal Covenant (Testament; Hebrews 12:24) of grace
(unmerited favor; a free gift), instituted on the night of his
betrayal (Matthew 26:26-28), between God and his people, to be
received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus ( Ephesians 2:8-9, see
God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).
God has given us the spiritual sustenance we need, to preserve us to
eternal life, by the body and blood of Jesus Christ, through the
indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only
to his disciples who trust and obey him (John 14:15-17). Through the
indwelling Holy Spirit we experience the power, love and
faithfulness of the Lord personally and individually. The Holy
Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has
eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b,
11, 15-16).
God has given us the gift of forgiveness of sin and salvation from
death, in the birth of Jesus Christ. Through Jesus' death and
resurrection, he has given the gift of spiritual "rebirth (John 3:3,
5-8) and eternal life to all who trust and obey Jesus (Hebrews
2:14-15).
God has given us the gift of his Word, in the Bible, and in Jesus
Christ, the "living Word." God's Word is completely trustworthy and
eternal. God's Word is good, "do-able," and our very best interest
(Romans 12:2). Let us spend the time necessary getting to know God's
Word, so that we can live according to his Word in faithfulness and
uprightness.
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus'
disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John
14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first
truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ
and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew
28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity
(1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
*Hallelujah is the Hebrew word meaning "Praise the Lord!"
Tuesday December 27 - B
First posted 12/27/03;
Podcast: December 27 B
Isaiah 45:22-25 - Turn to the Lord;
Now we have the opportunity to rebel against and disobey God, but in the Day of Judgment, we will have no choice but to obey the Lord. In that day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord, to the Glory of God, but in that day it will be too late to change our eternal destiny. Those who have opposed God and Jesus Christ will be eternally put to shame, but the children of God of the New Israel (the Church of Jesus Christ) will eternally triumph and be glorified in the Lord.
Wednesday December 28 - B
First posted 12/28/2008;
Podcast: December 28 - B
Colossians 3:12-17 - New Life in Christ;
Paraphrase:
As God's chosen and beloved, we should be compassionate, kind, humble, meek and patient, forbearing and forgiving, if we have a grievance against another. We must forgive one another as the Lord has forgiven us (Matthew 6:12). Above all these virtues is love, by which we are bound to one another in perfect harmony. Let our hearts be ruled by the peace of Christ, to which we are called in one body (the Church), and let us remember to be thankful.
Let us be filled with the teachings of Christ, so that we can teach and admonish one another with all (divine) wisdom, and as we sing and praise the Lord with thankful hearts. Let every thing we do and say be done in the name of the Lord Jesus in thanksgiving to God the Father through him.
Commentary:
We are all chosen and beloved by God, but not all recognize and accept God's love. People who have accepted God's love and the free gift of forgiveness of sin (disobedience of God's Word) and salvation (from eternal destruction) which he offers us only through Jesus Christ, will follow Jesus' teaching and example (Matthew 7:21-27). Christians are disciples of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26c) who learn to know, trust and obey Jesus' teachings (Matthew 28:20). They are spiritually "born-again" to eternal life by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
The author of this letter was Paul (Saul of Tarsus) who is the prototype and example of a "modern," "post-resurrection," "born-again" disciple and apostle of Jesus Christ. Paul was fulfilling the Great Commission which Jesus gave to his disciples (Matthew 28:19-20), to be carried out after they had been spiritually "reborn" (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8). Paul had been discipled by a "born-again" disciple (Acts 9:10-16), Ananias, until Paul had been "reborn" (Acts 9:17-18), and then Paul began preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and making "born-again" disciples of Jesus Christ (Acts 9:20-22; 2 Timothy 1:6-7), and teaching them to repeat the process (2 Timothy 2:2).
Paul was discipling the believers at Colossae by letter. He was exhorting them to live according to Jesus' teachings so that they would have peace and harmony within the congregation and so that the name of Jesus and God the Father would be glorified in the world.
If we realize what the Lord has done for us through Jesus Christ, we will be truly thankful, and we can show our thankfulness by obedient trust in God's Word. Jesus Christ is the "living Word" of God; the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God's Word lived in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus' word is the Word of God (John 14:10, 24), with the creative force of God's Word (Mark 4:39-41; Genesis 1:3).
Christians are to be "disciples" (students) of Jesus Christ. First we should read the entire Bible through once to know what it contains (and doesn't contain). This can easily be done in one year by any ordinary reader. There are numerous Bible-in-a-year plans available (see Bible Study Tools, sidebar, top right, home). This would be a great time to begin a habit of a regular daily time to read, pray, and meditate on God's Word, one day at a time (Matthew 6:11, 34).
Next the disciple should begin to study Jesus' teachings. A good place to start is with the "Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-7:29), which is a collection of the typical teachings of Jesus. Of those teachings, some may not be a problem for us; some may be a problem, but which we cannot do anything about at the time. Surely there is one area which applies to us which we can do something about, and we should begin to work on that area, asking for Jesus' help.
As one begins to read and apply God's Word in one's life, the Holy Spirit will begin to teach and guide us by the Word, and will ultimately cause us to be "born-again" as we demonstrate our commitment to trust and obey God's Word. But note that the Lord doesn't want us to be "born-again" prematurely, because it is unrepeatable (Hebrews 6:4-6).
Once we've been "reborn" by the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit will teach us all things, and help us to recall all Jesus' teachings (John 14:25-26). But we have to have read and heard and know Jesus' teachings in order for the Holy Spirit to bring them to our remembrance as we need them (Luke 12:11-12).
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Thursday December 29 - B
First posted 12/29/2008;
Podcast: December 29 - B
Luke 2:25-40 - Jesus' Presentation;
Paraphrase:
Mary and Joseph had brought Jesus to the temple on the eighth day of his birth (Leviticus 12:2-3), to be circumcised (Genesis 17:12) and registered him as their first-born son in accordance with the law (God's Word; Luke 2:22-23).
There was a man living in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout, and was watching for the "consolation of Israel" (the promised Messiah). The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that Simeon would not die before he had seen the Messiah.
The Holy Spirit led Simeon to enter the temple at the time that Mary and Joseph were presenting Jesus, and Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel" (Luke 2:29-32).
Mary and Joseph were amazed at what Simeon had said about their child. Simeon blessed them and told Mary, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed" (Luke 2:34b-35).
A prophetess named Anna, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, lived day and night in the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer. She had been widowed after seven years of marriage, and was then eighty-four years old. She came at that very hour and [when she saw Jesus] she gave thanks to God and told everyone who was seeking redemption for Jerusalem, about him.
When the requirements of the law of Moses had been fulfilled, they returned to Nazareth, where Jesus grew and became strong and filled with wisdom; and he was blessed with God's favor.
Commentary:
Before Jesus' death and resurrection only a few individuals, like Simeon and Anna, had the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus became the one and only sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgivness of our sin (disobedience of God's Word), and the spiritual cleansing which made it possible for Jesus' disciples to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Only Jesus gives the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). By the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit we are spiritually "reborn" (John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life. The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
Simeon and Anna were both believing and watching for the fulfillment of God's Word. They were guided by the Holy Spirit because they believed, trusted and obeyed God's Word in the Bible and through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We can have that same revelation and guidance through faith in Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the light of revelation to everyone who trusts and obeys Jesus.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Jesus (Romans 8:9). He has the same attributes as Jesus and as God the Father. He is the Spirit of (divine, eternal) Truth (John 14:17;16:13). He is the light which enlightens everyone (John 1:9), and the light of eternal life (John 1:4; 8:12).
The Holy Spirit is the "Paraclete," our counselor, our comfortor, our "consoler," our advocate, and intercessor on our behalf to God (John 14:16). He opens our minds to understand God's Word (Luke 24:45), teaches us all things, brings to our remembrance all that Jesus taught (John 14:26), and guides and empowers us to do God's will and to complete the ministry of Jesus Christ.
Forgiveness and salvation are a free gift for all who are willing to received it by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ. Jesus is God's one and only provision (Acts 4:12) for the forgiveness of our sins (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10), and our salvation from condemnation and eternal death, which is the penalty for sin (Romans 6:23; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).
Jesus is the fulfillment of Simeon's prophecy. Many will fall spiritually to eternal destruction, and many will rise to eternal life because of Jesus (1 Peter 2:7-8). He is a sign revealed to all people. He is God made visible in human form (Colossians 2:8-9; Matthew 11:27; John 14:9), and he is also fully human (but not a man who became God). But he is a sign that many people hate and speak against. The inner thoughts and hearts of people are revealed by their response to Jesus, and will be revealed ultimately at the Day of Judgment (Revelation 1:7; Luke 12:2).
The prophecy of Simeon to Mary was fulfilled. Jesus is the one who was pierced with nails in his hands and feet, and by a spear in his side (John 19:34, 37; Zechariah 12:10), at his crucifixion. Mary was present at the crucifixion and certainly felt her own soul pierced (John 19:25-27).
The Church is the "New Israel" through whom Jesus is glorified, and by whom the Lord's glory is reflected into the spiritual darkness of this world.
Anna demonstrates what every disciple of Jesus Christ can be: "born-again," by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, having trusted and obeyed God's Word, and having personally experienced the Messiah (Christ). She was able to testify about Jesus, from personal knowledge and experience, to those who were seeking the redemption God promised in his Word. Jesus is the Redeemer, who paid the price for our sin, so that we could be released from bondage to sin and eternal death.
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Friday December 30 - B
First posted 12/30/2008;
Podcast: December 30 - B
Saturday December 31 - B
First posted 12/31/03;
Podcast: December 31 - B
Galatians 4:1-7 - Redemption;
Luke 2:33-40 - Redemption of Jerusalem;
Galatians Paraphrase:
Paul (Saul of Tarsus), a "born-again" (Acts 9:17) disciple and apostle of Jesus Christ, used an analogy of the laws of inheritance to describe our redemption from bondage to sin and death under the law.
The heir to his father's estate is no better off than a slave while he is a minor. He owns the estate, but he is under the supervision of guardians and trustees until he is the age of inheritance set by his father. Likewise, while we were spiritual minors we were in bondage to worldly ways and human nature. But in perfect timing, God sent forth his son, born of a human mother, born under the law, to redeem us who were under the law, so that we could be adopted as God's children. Because we have been adopted, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. It is by the Spirit that we cry "Abba!" (the Aramaic word meaning "Father!"). So through God, we are no longer slaves, but adopted children, and heirs to his estate.
Luke Paraphrase:
Jesus' parents had brought him to the temple on the eighth day of his birth, to fulfill the requirements of the law (including circumcision). There was a man named Simeon in Jerusalem who was filled with the Holy Spirit, and led by the Spirit, he had come into the temple where he encountered Jesus and his parents, as the Lord had promised (Luke 2:26).
After thanking God for allowing him to see Jesus, he prophesied to Mary that Jesus would cause many people to rise or fall spiritually. Jesus was a sign from God, but many would speak against him (and Mary's own soul would be pierced as by a sword). The innermost thoughts of people would be revealed (by how they responded to Jesus).
There was a woman named Anna, who had been widowed as a young woman and remained a widow who was now eighty-four. She dwelt in the temple night and day, worshiping with prayer and fasting. She also encountered Jesus and his parents, and gave thanks to God. She testified about him to all who were seeking the redemption of Jerusalem.
Commentary:
We are all born into slavery to sin (disobedience of God's Word; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10), and the penalty for sin is (eternal) death (Revelation 20:6; 21:8). Jesus came to free us from bondage to sin and death (Hebrews 2:14-15). Jesus is God's only provision for the forgiveness of our sin and salvation from eternal destruction in Hell. (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).
God's Word is law. The law was given to restrain us from living according to our sinful worldly human nature, until the coming of Jesus. Jesus came once physically for all the world to see. He comes individually and personally to his disciples through the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). Jesus will come again at the end of our individual lives on the Day of Judgment, when he will judge the living and the dead, in both physical and spiritual senses (1 Peter 4:15).
Everyone who has ever lived will be accountable to Jesus for what we have done in this lifetime, and Jesus is the standard by which we will be judged. Those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and have trusted and obeyed Jesus will have been "born-again" by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit during this lifetime, and will enter eternal life. Those who have rejected Jesus as Lord and have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus will be condemned to eternal destruction, the "second death" (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). When we call God our Father, the Holy Spirit within us testifies with our spirit that we are God's children and heirs.
Before the coming of Jesus physically, and his death and resurrection, only a few individuals had the "anointing" (gift; baptism; infilling) of the Holy Spirit. Both Simeon and Anna were filled with and guided by the Holy Spirit.
Simeon prophesied by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that Jesus is God's promised Savior (Messiah; Christ; God's "anointed;" Luke 2:30) and the "light" of spiritual enlightenment for all people (John 1:9), not just the Jews. Everyone will either rise spiritually to eternal life or fall to eternal destruction by how they respond to Jesus Christ (John 3:16-18). How people respond to Jesus reveals their spiritual condition and their innermost thoughts and motivations (John 3:18-21). There are many today who hate Jesus and speak negatively about him. In the Day of Judgment the disciples of Jesus Christ will rejoice, but the unbelievers will be put to eternal shame.
Simeon told Mary that her own soul would be pierced, as by a sword. Jesus is the one who we have pierced, by the nails of the cross and the spear thrust in his side (John 19:32-37). Mary was present at Jesus' crucifixion, (John 19:25-27; 31-37). She must certainly have felt as though her own soul had been pierced. We have all been responsible for Jesus' death, because we all sinned and make his sacrifice on the cross necessary for our forgiveness and salvation.
Anna is an example of a believer and disciple of Jesus Christ. She sought God through worship with prayer and fasting (Acts 17:26-27). She believed the promises of God's Word. She trusted and obeyed the guidance of the Holy Spirit. So God revealed himself to her in Jesus Christ (John 14:21, 23). She had a personal knowledge and experience of Jesus, and then she proclaimed Jesus to all who were seeking the redemption of Jerusalem (the Church is the "New Jerusalem; the city of God on earth, awaiting the redemption of our physical bodies, and our entry into the eternal New Jerusalem of God's kingdom in heaven).
Jesus is the redeemer. He paid the price with his own flesh and blood so that we could be freed from bondage to sin and released from the penalty of our sin under the law. Those who are filled with and guided by the indwelling Holy Spirit are no longer under bondage and condemnation of the law (Romans 8:1-11).
Only by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit do we have a personal knowledge of and relationship with Jesus. We cannot testify to others about Jesus until we know him personally ourselves. We cannot make "born-again" disciples of Jesus unless we're willing to be "born-again" disciples and have personally experienced spiritual "rebirth."
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
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