The 10th Day of Christmas

Posted on 20. Dec, 2009 by Jim Peters in Hearing God - Jim's Daily D

Luke 2:21-33

²¹ When eight days were complete[1], his name was called Jesus (so that he could ceremonially) have the excess skin cut away from his penis. (Jesus) was the name the angel called him before he was conceived in (Mary’s) womb.

²² When the (eight) days were completed[2] to make (Mary) ceremonially clean after having a baby, they brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Owner and Master. ²³ It’s written in the Owner and Master’s law – “Every male that opens the womb will be called ‘Holy to the Owner and Master’.” ²⁴ So they gave a sacrifice according to what the Owner and Master’s law said – “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

²⁵ (There was) a person in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This person was upright and devoted (to God). He was waiting for Israel to be comforted and called near (by God). And the Holy Spirit was on him. ²⁶ The Holy Spirit revealed[3] to him (that) he wouldn’t die[4] before he had seen the Owner and Master’s Christ (which means anointed One). ²⁷ He came by the Spirit into the temple when the parents brought the child Jesus in to do what was customary (under) the law. ²⁸ Then he took him in his arms and praised God saying,

²⁹ “Now the Master is setting his slave free to let him go in peace exactly as he said[5]. ³⁰ My eyes have seen your salvation that you made ready in front of all nations – ³¹ A light disclosing the truth to all nations (who aren’t Jews) and the glory and honour of your nation, Israel.

³³ His father and mother were amazed at (what) was said about him.

[1] & [2] Filled – “swollen” [3] “been revealed/warned Holy Spirit” [4] “not see death” [5] Greek – “rema” – word”

Application

Jesus was a Jew and his parents were faithful in keeping the Jewish law. I am freed from the Jewish law handed down from Moses. I am also set free from the law of sin and death. However I have become a slave to righteousness. It would appear that I either voluntarily become God’s slave or I involuntarily choose to be a slave of god’s enemies. God and Jesus are both called Owner and Master by Luke, referring to God’s ownership and hence being Lord in my life. Lord isn’t a pleasantry. It’s an ownership title.

The irony is that slavery to Christ is freedom. The Holy Spirit will provide for me and lead me, as he led Simeon. Simeon, which means “harkening” or “hearing/listening attentively” even said that he had bee told how he, the Master’s slave, is free to die because he had seen the Lord’s anointed, the One chosen as King. I need to be filled with the Holy Spirit and have God speak to me about the things that are going to happen in my life. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. He will do for me what he’s done for countless others and he will speak into my spirit.

I also need to see Jesus as the light and glory of the world, not just a crutch to help me through. I am here to be a light on a hill and for that light to shine into the hearts of others.

Prayer

Father, show me where and how to shine as your light. Jesus is the hope of the world and you have chosen me to bring the world to you. So please clean me up, equip me, protect me and lead me in such a way that I can be effective. Let me know what you want to say to me and reveal those things that you want me to accomplish before I die. Fill me Holy Spirit and lead me by your power in all that I do.

IJN Amen

Jim Peters

The 10th Day of Christmas

Leave a reply

A Thought