As you know, Carolyn and I are Sunday School teachers for 3rd-5th grade. We are teaching through the Bible in our class. This month we have moved into the New Testament and are learning the events around the Birth of Jesus.
This past week we taught on his visit to the temple and His dedication. Mary and Joseph are presenting Jesus in accordance with Jewish law, offering their sacrifice, when two individuals recognize the baby. They prophesied great things, and not so great things for the child.
We always get excited for the instance of Jesus being praised and lifted and his life and death acknowledged, even. But I wonder how much of a surprise it was for the two witnesses.
Both Simeon and Anna were told they would see the Messiah before they would die. But in that time, what had they worked up in their minds they would see? Did they expect to be walking down the road and look into a man’s eyes and see the Lord like John the Baptist had? Did they anticipate that morning when they woke up, they would walk into the temple and see the babe and see the promised Savior of the world?
Can you imagine that moment? The realization? The moment you have been waiting for? BAM!! There, Simeon!! LOOK!! It’s Him!! Look, Anna, it’s your Savior!!
Just, Wow!!
We all have that moment. Jesus is calling to us to just look to Him. His hand reaching out. All we have to do is look. His arms are open wide. It doesn’t matter where we’ve been, or how far we’ve fallen. He is there reaching out. Take His hand.
“…a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” – Luke 2:32
Photo by Jon Carlson on Unsplash
Moments for the Heart 