GPS Guide – January 2, 2020
ALL THINGS NEW
Thursday
Read: Luke 2:25-32
25 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 on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.” (NIV Luke 2:25-32)
Study: Joseph and Mary would have been strangers to most everyone in Jerusalem. So it must have been unexpected, perhaps even a bit alarming, when elderly Simeon first approached them. But in the busy Temple court, where others saw only a poor couple with a baby, Simeon, “led by the Spirit,” recognized their child. By staying open to God’s inner nudges, Simeon had the honor of holding the infant Savior he had waited for so long. Simeon’s words of praise echoed Isaiah 42:6 and 49:6, which said “the servant of the Lord” would be a light to the Gentiles. At a time when, later, even many of Jesus’ followers struggled to accept Gentiles (Acts 11:2-3, 15:1-5), what qualities do you think allowed Simeon to see and accept Isaiah’s far-reaching vision? How can you stay open to God’s message and mission, even when it stretches your comfort zone?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me the spiritual eyes and heart to welcome you in whatever ways you come into my life. Amen.