Thursday 2 February
(Feast of the Lord) Presentation of the Lord • Luke 2:22-40
‘The Lord will come with mighty power, and give light to the eyes of all who serve him, alleluia.’
Under Jewish law a woman was required, after giving birth, to offer to the Lord in sacrifice a lamb or, if she could not afford it, two turtledoves or two young pigeons (Lev. 12:6-8). Mary and Joseph, in bringing Jesus to the temple, fulfilled the legal requirement. At the same time they also consecrated Jesus to God (Exod. 13:12). In presenting Jesus, Mary and Joseph were returning to the Lord, with thanksgiving, the very gift that he had given them. Their offering expressed the depth of their devotion and love of God.
Simeon and Anna also gave God the worship of their hearts. Simeon fulfilled perfectly the description in the Scriptures of those who are seeking and delighting in the Lord, longing for his coming (Mal. 3:1). The Spirit rested upon Simeon, preparing his heart for the Lord’s coming and causing him to long to set his eyes on the Christ of the Lord (vv. 25-26). Delighting in Jesus, he declared: ‘Mine eyes have seen thy salvation...a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to thy people Israel’ (vv. 30, 32). Similarly Anna was seeking the Lord. She had been in the temple for years, longing and praying for the Lord’s coming. Now, drawn by the Spirit, who had placed this longing in her heart, she blessed Jesus, the delight of her heart (vv. 36-38).
In Mary, Joseph, Simeon and Anna we see so much desire, longing and love for the Lord. They rejoiced as they recognized that Jesus was the longed-for Christ. Their desire, longing, recognition and delight was the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The Spirit wants to give us a similar longing – no longer, of course, for the first coming of the Lord, but for his return. The Spirit wishes to purify our hearts from all dullness, indifference and apathy so that we may desire to see the light of Jesus’ face and long to set our eyes on his glory. By creating in our hearts this longing for and delight in Jesus, the Holy Spirit consoles and comforts us (v. 25).
‘Holy Spirit, purify my heart from all cares, anxieties and deadness. Delight my spirit by showing me the loveliness and goodness of Jesus. Make my heart long to see Jesus in all his glory.’
Malachi 3:1-4 • Psalm 23(24):7-10
Luke 2:22-40
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