Big Promises, Little Promises

Luke 2:25-35
²⁵Now 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 upon him. ²⁶It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. ²⁷Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, ²⁸Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
²⁹"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace.
³⁰For my eyes have seen your salvation,
³¹which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
³²a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."
³³The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. ³⁴Then 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, ³⁵so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

This story has always been one of my favorites. Although it happens a short time after the first Christmas night, I have always related it to the Christmas story.

Mary and Joseph were just in the temple that day in accordance with the Law of Moses. A special day, but fairly routine for parents in Jerusalem in 4 B.C. Simeon was just taking a walk, "moved by The Spirit, he went into the temple courts." The passage also puts Simeon inside the courts before Mary, Joseph, and Jesus arrive. Can you imagine the look on his face as the new family walks through the gates? I can just see him running up to them; hugging this beautiful Child with tears in his eyes; saying a humble prayer of thanksgiving and praise.

There is no mention of Simeon being a priest or any type of religious figure. There is no mention of Simeon escorting them through the temple screaming, "Hey! Do you know who this is?" He's just a regular guy on a regular day. The Father orchestrated his encounter with "[The] salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all people." The simple man blesses the Child's parents and walks away with a complete joy in his heart.

Not only does God fulfill His promise by providing a Redeemer for all of mankind in His own Son, He also remembers "a Christmas gift" for Simeon from Jerusalem.

Our "God With Us"

As we enter the Christmas time, I wanted to do a series of slighty more serious posts. Not to worry, From The Still will not always be as meaty; I just wanted to commit some time to Someone closer to my heart.

Isaiah 7
¹⁴ Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah 9
⁶ For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

These words were spoken around 740 B.C. by the son of Amoz, the prophet Isaiah.

Historically, this was about 400 years before the start of the Persian period (410-334 B.C.). Then, a name you might recognize from a recent motion picture conquered the Persians in Palestine beginning the Hellenistic period in Israel(~332 B.C.). When Alexander died, his kingdom was divided between his generals, the Ptolemies and the Seleucids. The Ptolemies (Egypt) were tolerant of the Jewish religion. The Seleucids of Syria were not.

In 198 B.C, the Seleucids defeated the Ptolemies gaining control of Palestine. This ushered in the Hasmonean Period which was a time when the Jewish faith was greatly oppressed. It was also a very heroic time for the Jews as they fought against this oppression. The miracle of Hanukkah occurred around 168 B.C.

Pompey, the Roman general captured Jerusalem in 63 B.C. thus putting the provinces of Palestine under Roman rule. In late 5 B.C or early 4 B.C. Isaiah's prophecy was fullfilled, the Christ Child was born to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem.

The words of Isaiah served as an invitation to the shepherds to come and see Immanuel. The King who had been with His people through 730 years of war, strife and religious oppression. And is still with us today.