This post is Day 6 in a series of studies about “Mary’s of the Bible”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Mary’s of the Bible – Day 6

As the young family entered the temple, Simeon was waiting. He had received a promise from God that he would see the Messiah before he died. As Mary, Joseph and their little one arrived, Simeon was right there, and received a nudge from God that this child was from Heaven.

Luke 2:22

When the time came for the purification rites required by the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord as it is written in the Law of The Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord” (Exodus 13:1,12).

The Thought

My first thought when I read this verse is how much this young family must have travelled! Today the distance from Bethlehem to Jerusalem is 7 kms (over 4 miles). From Jerusalem to Nazareth is 146 kilometres (about 90 miles). Not an easy journey either for a pregnant lady or for a young couple with small child. And we can believe that the roads were not too good, at least by modern standards. Remember also that they had already travelled to Egypt and back!

As the young family entered the temple, Simeon was waiting. He had received a promise from God that he would see the Messiah before he died. We don’t know how long he lived after that experience, but as Mary, Joseph and their little one arrived, Simeon was right there, and received a nudge from God that this child was from Heaven.

This elderly prophet was overcome and burst into prayer, thanking God that He had done what He had said he would, and Simeon had seen the promised Messiah. That song of praise (Luke 2:29-32) ended with a sad note for Mary when the prophet ended by saying a sword will pierce your own heart too (v34).

Action

Read Luke 2:22-40 today and praise God for His prophets that have always been there to give His Word, and to confirm what He has already said.

Pray for the prophets in your church community to be bold to speak God’s word. If there are no prophets that you know of, then pray for those God has called to rise up in the calling and to dare to speak out what they are hearing.

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