I took this photo of the Temple mount in Jerusalem in June. The temple is long gone, but it was on this site that two wonderful “Christmas” encounters with Jesus occurred. After the Nativity, when Jesus was 40 days old, his mom and dad brought him to the temple to present him to the Lord. While they were on this site, two people encountered the Holy Child.
Mary and Joseph knew that their child was unique, but to have another independent person declare this amazed them.
“…And a sword will pierce your own soul too” Luke 2:35.
I took this photo of the Temple mount in Jerusalem in June. The temple is long gone, but it was on this site that two wonderful “Christmas” encounters with Jesus occurred. After the Nativity, when Jesus was 40 days old, his mom and dad brought him to the temple to present him to the Lord. While they were on this site, two people encountered the Holy Child.
Simeon, who we presume to be elderly, was led by the Spirit to wade through the crowds present that day to this little couple of no renown. He took Jesus in his arms and declared him to be the Salvation for all people, both Jew and Gentile – a light for spiritual revelation. Mary and Joseph knew that their child was unique, but to have another independent person declare this amazed them.
Up to this point, the news about Jesus was all wonderful. Gabriel’s pronouncement had been about destiny, victory, and exaltation. Mary’s cousin Elizabeth had declared the divine nature of the one to be born. Mary’s own Magnificat spoke of the rulership and justice of God. The angels had proclaimed glory and joy on the night of his birth, and the shepherds came to adore. But now this cloud on the horizon – ‘a sword will pierce your own soul too, Mary.’ When we choose to love, we take the risk that our heart might be broken. And wasn’t this the case with Mary, as her son was vilified, resisted, plotted against, and crucified on a cruel tree! With the joy also came sorrow.
Anna was married for a short time before her husband passed away. She was left bereft – a widow – the poorest of the poor. I wonder if she was the widow who gave the two mites from our passage last month? She was at least 84 years old, and she lived in a time of loss apart from her personal story.
Rome had annexed Israel in 63 BC – her nation was under a foreign power. The Sanhedrin had been formed in 57 BC – this strange mixture of spiritual and political oversight and patronage. Herod the Great had been named as king in 40 BC and thus began his conniving and sinful reign. The temple system was compromised and all tied up with politics – it was a time of national spiritual decline – Anna lived through a time of loss. And yet, her whole life centered around worship and prayer at the temple – you could always find her there. Sorrow, yes, but also joy as she encountered the Promised One!
Isn’t this like our lives today – joys mixed with sorrows. Blessings interspersed with problems and trouble. I just finished reading the memoirs of Drew Brees, a Christian NFL quarterback who sustained a smashed shoulder after a vicious hit that cost him his job and eight months of rehabilitation. He said: “…if God leads you to it, he will lead you through it. Everything happens for a reason and everything is part of his master plan. If you let adversity do its work in you, it will make you stronger. When you come out on the other side, you just may be amazed at the things God has allowed you to accomplish – things you might not have believed were possible” (Coming back Stronger pg. 90).
Yes, God is at work in both extremes of our life. Like Simeon, Mary, and Anna, let’s continue to worship, pray, and listen to the Spirit!
Pastor Leon Throness
