Strong and Filled with Wisdom
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Luke 2:21-51
21. 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. 22. 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 23. (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") 24. 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, looking 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 should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27. And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, 28. he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29. "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; 30. for mine eyes have seen thy salvation 31. which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32. a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel." 33. And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; 34. and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against 35. (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed." 36. And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, 37. and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39. And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Luke’s gospel is the only one that “begins at the beginning.” It was written, apparently to an individual Roman citizen of some high standing, possibly his patron. And it’s contents were to be shared with other Gentiles. The Gentiles didn’t necessarily know the historical significance of every detail of the life of Jesus—even prior to his life—to the faith of his mother and of Joseph and how the prophets had predicted it all long ago!
I am drawn to these verses, because I ponder them through a mother’s eyes. We all are absolutely certain that our child is special—and each baby is! But Mary knew even before his birth, that this baby—her child—was “the one.” She must have been simultaneously terrified and overjoyed—overwhelmed with the “added responsibility” of parenting the Messiah and overcome with a mother’s pride as she heard the prophets confirm the angel’s message and watched her precious boy grow strong and wise and good-hearted.
Simeon realized that his waiting was over! He had held the promised one in his arms. He was old and probably tired of waiting and waiting. . . . and waiting . . . there must have been times he doubted he would really see the Savior before he died—awe and thanksgiving, relief and comfort, a sense of peace and a sense of accomplishment—he had lived his whole life waiting . . .
I wonder if God sent Simeon and Anna to Mary and Joseph to encourage them, to remind them of just who this child was? I wonder if, as parents, they lost patience with him and God knew they would need extra patience—extra strength and fortitude—to rear this extraordinary child? Of course Mary and Joseph believed the angels! They obeyed the instructions delivered to them through the Holy Spirit. But did they really understand the magnitude of it all? Or did they spend their days like so many of us rearing children—preoccupied with the day in and day out necessities of providing for the physical needs of their children—food, clean clothing, etc.?
I have no doubt that these parents – typical in so many ways – yet as extraordinary as the son – must have exchanged glances and wry smiles when Jesus made a comment full of wisdom far beyond his years, or performed some special act or deed of uncommon kindness and care. They must have loved him as much as I love my own children.
God is so good! He is so wise and so full of grace and mercy! This man/child sent to earth, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of a woman, nurtured and loved and cared for by a kind and faith-filled man, grew in wisdom and in strength to become the Savior; to fulfill history—no to make history, to change it once and for all—for all of us!
I hope you spend today feeling the joy of Simeon and, like Luke, spread the Good News to those who have not heard the truth!
Mary
