Seniors Honor The Baby

 N.T.#485  "Seniors Honor The Baby"

Feb. 12, 2025 

Luke 20-Part 6

LET IT GLOW

Some things happened to the family of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus while they were still in Bethlehem:

• They went to the Temple in Jerusalem so Jesus could be circumcised and name Jesus.
• Sometime between these events, the wise men came giving the family gifts. (Matt. 2) Joseph was told in a dream to leave for Egypt so Jesus would not be killed.
• Then 40 days after Jesus' birth, the family went back to the Temple to present an offering for Mary's cleansing and redeem Him in recognition that Jesus belonged to God. (A type of baby dedication)
• While at the Temple, an elderly man named Simeon, filled with the Holy Ghost came to the family.
• Simeon was just, devout man, whom the Lord promised would see the Lord's Christ before he died.
• Simeon held Jesus and proclaimed, For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation. (verse 26)  Jesus was a light for the gentiles and the glory of Israel. (verse 32)
• Simeon celebrated God's promise to him and then the provision of a Savior to both Gentiles and Jews.
• He finished talking with the fact that a sword would pierce her own soul. Not a happy thought for a mamma. We know the religious leaders of Israel crucified the Messiah later. Mary watched her son die in agony. She kept pondering those previous events in her heart. Jesus was her Savior, too, her hope of eternal life.

Joseph and Mary marveled at the things Simeon said. Why were they amazed? It had been a time of amazing events, one after another-a virgin birth of a son, angels visiting them, wise men giving them gifts, and now an old man saying astonishing things about their baby boy. We are probably amazed that they were amazed.

LET IT GLOW

While at the Temple, the family encountered another elderly person, a woman named Anna. She was a widow after 7 years of marriage, now at the of age of 84, who did not leave the Temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. Like Simeon, Anna was anticipating the coming of the Messiah and the redemption of Jerusalem, our Redeemer. (verse 38)

We don't know how people reacted to those two old people who were excited to see the Messiah. As I fit into the senior category, I, too get excited when conversing about our Savior!

A chronological Bible tells of the wise men who visited Mary and Joseph after they returned home to Nazareth. To me it doesn't matter when the family fled to Egypt, just that they were safe from Herod, who killed children under the age of 2 years. At any rate, the family returned to Nazareth in the Galilee area. 

Are you excited about the fact that one day we shall see Jesus? Then before Him we will bow before the Savior with love and honor.

LET IT GO

What do we need let go so we can serve the Savior? 

At any age, even as a senior, we can serve Jesus with what gifts He has given us.