28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29 “Sovereign Lord, AS YOU HAVE PROMISED, (God kept His Promise to His elderly servant, Simeon had waited a long time)
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2
The opening chapter of Luke’s Gospel has eighty verses and a lot of ‘Doubles’. What do I mean by this?
Well, there two visitations by the archangel Gabriel and two names were given from heaven, John and Jesus. Two major prophecies, Mary’s Song (The Magnificat) and Zechariah’s Song. I mentioned last week the meeting between Mary and Elisabeth, but this was another Double, The two ladies met but the babies in their wombs also connected for the first time on earth. God is often working out HIS PURPOSES in our lives on different levels at the same time!
I like the account of Simeon in Luke, he knew God had promised that he would see the Messiah, but not when or where?
26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 MOVED BY THE SPIRIT, he went into the temple courts.
Luke just says he was ‘Moved by the Spirit’ and oftentimes we may also be directed towards things God has for us and not even be aware, so long as we’re walking with God like Simeon. (I also believe that the Spirit often guides us away from people and situations that would be harmful, Praise God)
36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. … She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 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. Luke 2
God didn’t just confirm His Messiah had come through one devout man, the prophetess Anna also came on the scene. Both Male and Female stood and welcomed the Christ child in His Father’s Temple. We may often be unaware of others whom God is drawing with a similar calling to our own, but God is raising up an army in these days and we should be seek to align ourselves with the called ones.
God bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.