Miraculous Moments
Lent 2025: Day #6
"'But what about you?' he [Jesus] asked. 'Who do you say I am?'"
~Matthew 16:15
Today we are going to witness true marveling. (As if we haven't already marveled at Creation, the Trinity, the appearance of angels, and God's presence in dreams, to name just a few.)
The event we will marvel at today may seem mundane as we read it, but it certainly caused Mary and Joseph to marvel as well.
Luke 2:22-32; 33-35
"When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, 'Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord'), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is aid in the Law of the Lord: 'a pair of doves or two young pigeons.'
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. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple course. 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 may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.'
I already revealed the reaction contained in the encounter: "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 2:36-38
"There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.:
Wisdom, blessings, affirmations, and warnings from wise, faithful followers of God.
So, who is Jesus?
I know that a child certainly brightens the face of those in their midst, and I also believe the Scriptures that declare these as truly Spirit-filled encounters.
Jesus has only been on the earth a short time at this point, and his role in the world is already being proclaimed.
Prayer:
Almighty God, oh, to have faith like these wise followers. Lord, help us to believe; help us to commit to knowing You better--to understanding who You are and the sacrifice You made for us. Help us to know it, to believe it, and to share this Good News. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
~Hebrews 13:8
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