25 A man named Simeon was in Jerusalem. He was righteous and devout. He eagerly anticipated the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he wouldn’t die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple area. Meanwhile, Jesus’ parents brought the child to the temple so that they could do what was customary under the Law. 28 Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God. He said,29 “Now, master, let your servant go in peace according to your word, 30 because my eyes have seen your salvation. 31 You prepared this salvation in the presence of all peoples. 32 It’s a light for revelation to the Gentiles and a glory for your people Israel.” 33 His father and mother were amazed by what was said about him. 34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “This boy is assigned to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that generates opposition 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your innermost being too.” 36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, who belonged to the tribe of Asher. She was very old. After she married, she lived with her husband for seven years. 37 She was now an 84-year-old widow. She never left the temple area but worshipped God with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 She approached at that very moment and began to praise God and to speak about Jesus to everyone who was looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:25-38, CEB)
I always loved this passage where Joseph and Mary tale Jesus to the temple to do what needed to be done under the law and they are met with Simeon and Anna and are told things about Jesus they probably didn’t want to hear.
How would you have taken hearing your very soul would be pierced by a sword because your son was to be a sign to many generations about the love of God?
Most of us wouldn’t know what to say or do about this. We would probably take our child and run screaming from the place. Yet Mary and Joseph just listen and do not react.
We react to the littlest things and turn away and hide when things don’t go our way, yet Mary and Joseph seem to take all of this in stride, maybe because the angels visited them and they knew that Jesus was different and from God. Maybe they already knew everything they were hearing so it wasn’t as scary the second, or third, or how many ever times it was.
How can we be like Mary and Joseph and take what comes in stride? Know that we are always in God’s hand?
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 