Luke tells how at 8 days of age, the baby was presented by Mary and Joseph at the temple in Jerusalem. At that time his name was officially recorded as “Jesus” as instructed by the angel. Jesus was the first-born of Mary and his parents followed all of the requirements of the Jewish law regarding first-born male children. Because Joseph and Mary had very modest income, they would have brought either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
Simeon had been prompted by the Holy Spirit to be at the temple that day. He had been looking for the “Consolation of Israel.” The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die before he saw God’s anointed one. Simeon, led by the Holy Spirit, saw Mary and Joseph and the baby. He went directly to them.
““Now, Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to leave [this world] in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your Salvation, Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A LIGHT FOR REVELATION TO THE GENTILES [to disclose what was previously unknown], And [to bring] the praise and honor and glory of Your people Israel.” Luke 2:29-32 (AMP)
Now, put yourself in Mary and Joseph’s place for just a moment. This newborn baby in your arms has been declared by one with a very righteous reputation to be the Salvation for not only the Jewish nation, but also to the Gentiles. Yes, both Mary and Joseph had been told that their baby would be the Savior of the world, but how did this man know about their son, unless the Holy Spirit had also told Simeon? That would be enough to cause me to pause and to think very seriously about what the angel had told me, even if I had any questions before.
But Simeon had a special message for Mary as Jesus’ mother. “Listen carefully: this Child is appointed and destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that is to be opposed—and a sword [of deep sorrow] will pierce through your own soul—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:34-35 (AMP)
Oh, how Mary’s heart must have almost stopped as she pondered what Simeon had said was in the future for her. She must have wondered if she would be able to handle the deep sorrow that Simeon had said would come to her as Jesus’ mother.
Just as Mary and Joseph were contemplating what Simeon had said, the prophetess, Anna who stayed in the temple all the time, praising God and giving God the thanks for this little baby. What a lot of deep thinking Mary and Joseph needed to do on their trip back to Nazareth.
What can I learn from this piece of Mary’s story? If God told me when I was just a teenager all the trials I would go through (some of my own making), I don’t think I could have handled the stress. God in his mercy and grace has dealt kindly with me only allowing me information on an as needed basis. I still can take comfort and have confidence in God because the Bible tells the end of this earth’s story and God wins! There will be times of sorrow here on earth because this earth is a battlefield between God and Satan. BUT … as long as I remember that God wins the war, I have no need to fear anything in the present or future. I only need to remember to read God’s Word to fill my mind with all the things God’s done in the past as evidence of His ability and willingness to take care of His children in the future.
Thank you Heavenly Father for hiding from me anything that I don’t need to know ahead of time because you know me all too well and I would worry over nothing important. Help me to trust you more, day by day as I see Your hand in all the ways you take care of me and have taken care of me thus far.
Published on MyBibleRoom.com 6/1/25, 9:10pm