Feb. 20, 2015: Luke 2:21-40

We encourage you to read this devotion three times a day.  Start in the morning and reflect upon the morning reflection question. Then in the afternoon, read it again and reflect using the noon question for reflection.  For the evening, take time to ponder how this has resonated with you in the day and reflecting using the evening question.  We offer a prayer with each devotion for you to pray or we invite you to pray what is in your heart.

Luke 2:21-40

21 After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22 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 ²³(as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), ²⁴and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. ²⁶It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.²⁷Guided by the Spirit, Simeonj came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, ²⁸Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
²⁹ ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
   according to your word;
³⁰ for my eyes have seen your salvation,
³¹   which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles
   and for glory to your people Israel.’

33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. ³⁴Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed ³⁵so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

36 There was also a prophet, Anna  the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, ³⁷then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. ³⁸At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child  to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.

Key Verses:  vv 22  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.

Reflection:

Today’s Scripture lesson is the story of Mary and Joseph presenting the baby Jesus to the temple for a sacred ritual called redemption of the firstborn that was required by the law of Moses.  Rituals are important but the observance of religious rituals has fallen on hard times.  For most of us today, religious rituals are reduced to some sporadic holidays or church holy days.  This story reminds us that ritual was an important part of Jesus’ early life.  The Jews in the time of Jesus expected to encounter God every day.  They were challenged to find the sacredness of every moment.  And one day, God showed in the flesh in the form of a little baby in the arms of Mary and Joseph.  Could it be that we don’t expect to encounter God anymore?  The challenge for modern Christians is to see the presence of God in the ordinary moments of every day.  We are invited to look for the wonders that show us that God is still at work in our world. 

Reflection Questions:

Morning:  Do you practice religious rituals?  Are they important to you?  Why or why not?

Noon:  How can you transform your everyday routines into more meaningful moments?

Evening:  How does the routine of sleeping and waking remind you of God’s presence in your life?

Prayer:  Holy God, help me to encounter You today in a new and surprising way.  Open my eyes to see You clearly and experience You more fully.  Forgive the cynic in me.  Enlighten me to the routines and practices that will remind me of You.  Amen.