Presenting
ourselves with Jesus in 2006
Happy
New Year!
Sunday January 1, 2006
“When
the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had
been completed, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem to present
him to the Lord” Luke 2: 22 NIV
-
A
set time and a signal moment
-
They were presenting themselves as well!
What they
received in this New Season:
-
Joseph & Mary: A revelation that expanded the horizon of
their hopes
-
Simeon: Salvation– seen, received, embraced– and deliverance
from the fear of death
-
Anna: Joy and thanksgiving that was contagious, overflowing
to others
Q:
How did they present themselves to receive such blessings?
Mary
& Joseph: Start with what you know is right
“…they
took him up to Jerusalem to offer him to God as commanded in God’s
Law…and also to sacrifice…prescribed in God’s Law.”
Luke 2:23-24 The Message
-
And keep pursuing it!
“When
they finished everything required by God in the Law, they
returned to Galilee…” Luke 2:39 TM
Simeon: Hold on to Vision– Look forward to God’s hope for you
“Now
there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was
righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of
Israel…” Luke 2:25 NKJV
And
hold out the Vision of God’s hope for our community
“[Simeon
was] a man who lived in the prayerful expectancy of hope for Israel.”
Luke 2:25b The Message
Simeon: Live in the Power of the Holy Spirit!
“the Holy Spirit was on him.
The Holy Spirit showed him
that he would see the Messiah of God before he died.
Led by the Spirit, he entered the Temple.”
Luke 2:26-27 The Message
Anna:
Cultivate a heart that wants to be with Jesus
“She
never left the temple but worshipped there with prayer and
fasting night and day.” Luke 2:37 NKJV
“One
thing I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: to live in the
house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the
LORD, and to inquire in his temple.” Psalm 27:4
NKJV
Anna:
Talk about Jesus with those who are seeking
“and
[Anna] spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the
redemption of Jerusalem.” Luke 2:38 NIV
How
will you present yourself with Jesus in 2006?
-
Like Mary & Joseph:
Start with what you know is right… and keep on doing it?
-
Like Simeon:
Focus on God’s hope for you?
-
and hold out God’s hope
for your community?
-
Live in the Power of the
Holy Spirit?
-
Like Anna:
Cultivate a heart for being with Jesus 24x7?
-
Talk about Jesus
with family, friends and neighbors who are seeking?
|
