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&
Brooksyne Weber
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Tuesday,
December 27, 2022
"The
Man Who Held
Jesus"
Message
summary:
Today we
cannot take
the infant
Jesus in our
arms. That
privilege was
only
experienced by
a few. He is
now
majestically
seated at the
right hand of
God the
Father, having
fully
accomplished
the mission
for which He
was sent into
the world; to
save sinners.
But we can
raise our arms
in praise to
God
acknowledging,
as Simeon did,
that Jesus is
indeed the
Lord's Christ.
And today
redeemed
sinners are
proclaiming
and living
that reality
all over the
world. We are
just two among
them and we
sure hope you
are as well!
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
"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 upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ" (Luke 2:25,26). "For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness" (Galatians 5:5).
"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 upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ" (Luke 2:25,26). "For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness" (Galatians 5:5).
During
the
celebration of
Christ's birth
each year
there is a
major focus
in the weeks
leading up to
Christmas but
after the big
day arrives
there is a
significant
diminishing of
that focus.
Have you
noticed
that?
After
Christmas we
turn our focus
to the New
Year and the
activities
planned
throughout the
winter months.
But
there are
several
significant
events that
took place
after Christ's
birth while he
was a baby.
"And
at the end of
eight days,
when He was
circumcised,
He was called
Jesus, the
name given by
the angel
before He was
conceived in
the womb. And
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
(as it is
written in the
Law of the
Lord, “Every
male who first
opens the womb
shall be
called holy to
the
Lord”)
and to offer a
sacrifice
according to
what is said
in the Law of
the Lord, “a
pair of
turtledoves,
or two young
pigeons” (Luke
2:21-24).
In
all my years
of preaching
and writing
ministry
(since 1974) I
can't find any
record of ever
dealing with
this text. But
it's an
indication of
Christ having
a normal
infancy and of
the obedience
of His
parents.
It
was during
this
dedication
that we are
told the story
of Simeon who
was one of the
faithful Jews
who had been
waiting in
expectation
for the
Messiah.
Consider how
many
generations
before the
First Advent
that righteous
and devout
people like
Simeon had
looked in
expectancy for
the promised
Messiah. It's
similar to
those who
await the
Second Advent.
"Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout". We consider righteous and devout believers in generations past during the church age who awaited the promise of Christ's Second Coming yet died before the event. That would include our Christian brothers and sisters and family members who have gone before us. Of course the Bible makes clear that they really haven't missed it and will actually precede those who are alive and remain at the coming of the Lord! (See 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.)
"He (Simeon) was waiting for the consolation of Israel" The phrase "consolation of Israel" is a comprehensive term for the fulfillment of the Messianic hope. Although "consolation" is not a commonly used word, virtually all standard English translations maintain its stately use for this passage.
"And the Holy Spirit was upon him". Although Simeon lived prior to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 at the birth of the church, we see in this passage how the Holy Spirit was upon him, speaking to him and leading him in the ways of the Lord.
"It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ". Simeon had experienced a remarkable revelation through the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord's Christ. Christ means Anointed One and is the Greek word (Christos) for Messiah. How many years had he lived with this revelation?
"Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts". The Spirit led Simeon to go into the temple courts and in doing so he met the parents of Jesus when they came in for His consecration. This happened at just the precise day, time and place His parents took Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord.
"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". It would seem that Simeon was unknown to Mary and Joseph but Luke does not preface the Child's dedication with any formal introduction. We simply read, "Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God". How did Mary and Joseph react when this man of great spiritual stature but likely a stranger to them, took their little baby into his arms? Today someone surely would have been present with a smart phone to get that photo up on Facebook and other social media!
Simeon stood in the temple courts and held the tiny Child in his arms and praised God. What exuberant joy filled his heart. What sense of peace flooded his soul. For some 400 years prior to this there had been little prophetic revelation. It's as if the heavens were closed, as if God had been silent all those years. Yet Simeon held onto his faith. He continued to wait (trust) and now that the wait is finally fulfilled he held in his own arms the long expected Jesus.
What was it like to hold the infant Jesus? He was surely held by many. Art usually shows Mary holding Him, but doubtlessly Joseph did as well. Grandmothers, aunts, and most women love to hold and cuddle babies. Interestingly, though, Simeon is the only person the Bible specifically tells us held the baby Jesus.
Today we cannot take the infant Jesus in our arms. He is now majestically seated at the right hand of God the Father, having fully accomplished the mission for which He was sent into the world; to save sinners. But we can raise our arms in praise to God acknowledging, as Simeon did, that Jesus is indeed the Lord's Christ. And today redeemed sinners are proclaiming and living that reality all over the world. We are just two among so many and we sure hope you are as well!
"Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout". We consider righteous and devout believers in generations past during the church age who awaited the promise of Christ's Second Coming yet died before the event. That would include our Christian brothers and sisters and family members who have gone before us. Of course the Bible makes clear that they really haven't missed it and will actually precede those who are alive and remain at the coming of the Lord! (See 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.)
"He (Simeon) was waiting for the consolation of Israel" The phrase "consolation of Israel" is a comprehensive term for the fulfillment of the Messianic hope. Although "consolation" is not a commonly used word, virtually all standard English translations maintain its stately use for this passage.
"And the Holy Spirit was upon him". Although Simeon lived prior to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 at the birth of the church, we see in this passage how the Holy Spirit was upon him, speaking to him and leading him in the ways of the Lord.
"It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ". Simeon had experienced a remarkable revelation through the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord's Christ. Christ means Anointed One and is the Greek word (Christos) for Messiah. How many years had he lived with this revelation?
"Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts". The Spirit led Simeon to go into the temple courts and in doing so he met the parents of Jesus when they came in for His consecration. This happened at just the precise day, time and place His parents took Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord.
"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". It would seem that Simeon was unknown to Mary and Joseph but Luke does not preface the Child's dedication with any formal introduction. We simply read, "Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God". How did Mary and Joseph react when this man of great spiritual stature but likely a stranger to them, took their little baby into his arms? Today someone surely would have been present with a smart phone to get that photo up on Facebook and other social media!
Simeon stood in the temple courts and held the tiny Child in his arms and praised God. What exuberant joy filled his heart. What sense of peace flooded his soul. For some 400 years prior to this there had been little prophetic revelation. It's as if the heavens were closed, as if God had been silent all those years. Yet Simeon held onto his faith. He continued to wait (trust) and now that the wait is finally fulfilled he held in his own arms the long expected Jesus.
What was it like to hold the infant Jesus? He was surely held by many. Art usually shows Mary holding Him, but doubtlessly Joseph did as well. Grandmothers, aunts, and most women love to hold and cuddle babies. Interestingly, though, Simeon is the only person the Bible specifically tells us held the baby Jesus.
Today we cannot take the infant Jesus in our arms. He is now majestically seated at the right hand of God the Father, having fully accomplished the mission for which He was sent into the world; to save sinners. But we can raise our arms in praise to God acknowledging, as Simeon did, that Jesus is indeed the Lord's Christ. And today redeemed sinners are proclaiming and living that reality all over the world. We are just two among so many and we sure hope you are as well!
Finally,
like Simeon,
we also wait.
May God gives
us this
outlook: "For
through the
Spirit, by
faith, we
ourselves
eagerly wait
for the hope
of
righteousness"
(Galatians
5:5).
Stephen
and Brooksyne
Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, just
as Simeon took
Your Son Jesus
into His arms
and gave
praise to You,
we invite
Jesus into our
hearts and
raise our arms
up to You. We
ascribe to You
glory and
honor and
power and
strength that
is due Your
name. We
rejoice in our
salvation made
available
through the
incarnation of
Your Son,
Jesus Christ,
who came to
redeem
humankind from
their wretched
sin. For, at
just the right
time, while we
were still
powerless and
dead in our
sins, Jesus
died for us.
God, You
demonstrated
Your love for
us, in that
You credited
righteousness
to us through
Christ's
death, and
justified us
from sin. Your
wondrous love
is truly
amazing and my
proper
response it to
dedicate to
You my soul,
my life, my
all! Amen.Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental
Resources
Special
Year-end
Financial
Appeal
We
want to thank
all who have
financially
supported our
ministry this
past year (and
some for many
years!). Like
most
ministries, we
typically see
a spike in
giving at the
end of the
year for which
we are most
thankful. We
realize there
are many fine
ministries and
causes
requesting
support at
this time but
if you would
like
information
about making a
donation to
our ministry
see here.
In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world.
To
donate
directly
online
click here.
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open to a page
that
designates the
offering
to: STEPHEN
&
BROOKSYNE
WEBER -
700001-237376 SERVING
IN SPECIALIZED
CHAPLAINCY)
In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world.
To
donate
directly
online
click here.
(This will
open to a page
that
designates the
offering
to: STEPHEN
&
BROOKSYNE
WEBER -
700001-237376 SERVING
IN SPECIALIZED
CHAPLAINCY)
If
you desire you
can also
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directly
through PayPal
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"Brooksyne
Weber". We
keep this
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available due
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familiarity,
convenience,
for
international
supporters,
and for those
who may not
need an
official
receipt. You
can also set
up for
recurring
donations.
Thank
you,
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
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Wordpress
iHeart
radioPermissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. We do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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