The Gift

Wednesday, December 24 2014

Most people aren´t naturally wired to say they can die in peace. One has to experience something profound to mouth those words! But that´s precisely what Simeon said as he held baby Jesus in his arms. He said to God, "Let your servant die in peace" (Luke 2:29).

The righteous man´s response leads to a question : What exactly had Simeon seen Jesus do? The answer : nothing. There´s no indication that Jesus performed a miracle of some kind at His tender age, nor was there a nativity-like chorus of angels overhead. He probably seemed like an ordinary baby, and little more. Yet Simeon said, "I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people" (v.30).

So why did Simeon react the way he did? This is explained in part by the ministry of the Holy Spirit. For it was the Spirit that brought Jesus to Simeon and revealed His true identity (the long awaited Messiah) to the old man (vv. 25-26).

What a great reminder that we need the Spirit to help us see Jesus clearly! But, in addition, I think Simeon responded the way he did because he had been faithful his entire life and truly knew God. Luke labelled him as both "righteous and devout", and being a man of God, he knew that He is good and loving (v.25). So God´s servant would surely be good and loving as well. Because Simeon trusted the Giver, he was able to see the Gift (Jesus) for what he truly was!

In order for us to recognise God´s good gifts, we nee to focus not only on the gift itself, but on the character of the One who gives it. And if we have faith in a good, wise and powerful Father, then surely we can trust that whatever He gives will be wonderfully good as well! - Peter Chin

Read
Luke 2:25-35
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 upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord´s Christ. 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, SImeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying : 

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

you now dismiss your servant in peace.

For my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the sight of all people,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles

and for glory to your people Israel."

The child´s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

Luke 11:1-13

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."

He said to them, "When you pray, say :

"Father, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come.

Give us each day our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins,

for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

And lead us not into temptation"

Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.' "

"Then the one inside answers, 'Don´t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can´t get up and give you anything.' I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man´s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs."

"So I say to you : Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."
"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good giftrs to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

James 1:17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows.

Question to Ponder

Have you ever received something from God that didn´t seem to be a gift? 

Was there some way that "gift" did indeed and up being a blessing?

What gifts will you praise God for today?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue