Simeon Blesses Jesus

Simeon Blesses Jesus So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word. (Luke 2:27-29) Simeon was led by God to come to the Temple at that moment. AND he recognised Jesus as The Messiah. I have seen what I have been waiting for, now I can die.

What God says will happen - will happen.

What God says will happen - will happen. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. (Luke 2:25-26) The Consolation of Israel was a name the Jews gave to The Messiah. Simeon was anointed for a purpose, you are anointed for a purpose. When God reveals something to you - it will come to pass. Simeon cannot die until Jesus, the Messiah is revealed.

After Jesus was born, what happened next in His life?

After Jesus was born, what happened next in His life?

Luke 2:21-22 tells us:

And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord.

Circumcision was traditionally on the eighth day.

A Rabbi from Bethlehem would have carried it out.

The mother of a son was considered unclean for 40 days so she couldn’t go anywhere.

She could not even come to the Temple until the 41st day.

Bethlehem to Jerusalem is 5.5 miles, quite a distance to walk.

They were keen to do everything according to the Law.

So 41 days after his birth Jesus is in Jerusalem.

What happened there was amazing.

Jesus Is Born.

Jesus Is Born.

So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6-7)

The most publicised birth ever - Jesus Christ our Saviour.

For thousands of years He was expected, now He is born.

This is what we have just celebrated, Jesus Birthday.

Remember too that Jesus had to be born in a stable because there was no room because of the Census.

Not because they were poor.

The Presence of The Anointed One

The Presence of The Anointed One.

In Luke 1:35-41 The Angel tells Mary that Holy Spirit will cause her to conceive. And that her cousin Elizabeth is six months pregnant, who was once called barren.

Elizabeth is the mother of John the Baptist.

Shortly afterwards, Mary goes to visit Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth hears Mary’s greeting, she is filled with the Holy Spirit and John in her womb leaps.

Mary visited Elizabeth before John was born, so Mary was less than three months pregnant.

At thirteen weeks gestation, the baby in Elizabeth's womb recognised the presence of His Saviour in Mary's womb.

Some say that a baby is not a person until it is born - untrue.

The Baby’s Name.

The Baby’s Name. Then the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. (Luke 1:30-31) We are not surprised that the angel had to say - don't be afraid. Mary found favour by her character and her obedience. Now we know the baby's name - Jesus. Jesus means - Jehovah is Salvation, a word describing His divinity. So celebrate that Name today.

Place of Birth.

Place of Birth. But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting. (Micah 5:2) Now we know where this baby will be born, in Bethlehem. Bethlehem means - House of Bread. Remember Jesus said He was The Bread of Life. Again we are told that He will be a ruler in Israel for Father God. Again we are told that this Child is eternal, from everlasting.