Day 67: The man who was ready to die – Luke 2 vs 21 - 38

21 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. 22-24 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.”

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27-28 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said: 29-32 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And his father and his mother marvelled at what was said about him. 34-35 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36-37 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:21-38 English Standard Version.

The custom in vs 22-24 dated back to when God rescued Israel out of Egypt and their firstborn had been spared while the firstborn in Egypt had perished. An offering of turtledoves or pigeons was for those who couldn't afford a lamb. So Jesus wasn't born into a wealthy family. An old man named Simeon ‘just happened' to go into the temple at the at the same moment that Joseph and Mary were there! (But with God there are no co-incidences!) What sort of man was Simeon? vs 25.

Those who are God fearing and who long to see God's promises come to pass are the ones who are most likely to be used by God. In vs 29-32 Simeon is basically saying “Lord, now I'm ready to die – happily!” Why was that?

That sentiment was not only true for Simeon – it is true for every man, woman or child who has seen the salvation God has prepared those who welcome Christ into their lives.! If we’ve done that we can leave this world with our hearts at peace because Jesus has dealt with our sins and opened the way into God's presence.

But Simeon's words in vs 34-35 also show that not everyone would welcome Jesus. People were going to be divided because of Him, and even some who loved Him would experience sorrow. Mary too! The 'sword piercing her soul' was probably a prophecy of the terrible heartbreak she would go through when Christ was crucified.

But what effect was the life and death (an resurrection) of Jesus going to have on the hearts of people in the world in general? vs 34-35.

Through Jesus Christ the secret depths of all our hearts will be made visible. That's even true of what we think about Jesus now. Many people love Him dearly. But there are also those who are indifferent to Him, and those who are hostile. The heart of the old widow named Anna was revealed that very day. See her response to Jesus in vs 38. It's the place that Jesus has in our hearts which makes us ready (or unready) to die.