DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL GUIDE Friday, February 2
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TEXT: Luke 2:22–35
- Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord
- (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord ”),
- and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
- And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
- And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
- So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law,
- he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
29.“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; 30. For my eyes have seen Your salvation - Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
- A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” 33. And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.
- Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against
- (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Today we commemorate the presentation of Christ to the world. As a Jewish male child that opened the womb of Mary, Jesus was presented to the Lord in compliance with Exodus 13:2. See also 1 Samuel 1:22–25. “To be called holy unto the Lord” (NKJV) is to be set aside, dedicated/consecrated to or presented to God. Christ’s presentation was done according to prescription (vv 23-24). It is noteworthy that his earthly parents obeyed the law not minding their relationship with the baby God-man. It was no coincidence that Simeon (v 25) was present at the presentation. Note his attributes in verses 25 & 26. Are you challenged by those qualities?
At this commemoration today, we should pause and ask whether we have been presented (Rom. 12:1 & 2), set aside or dedicated to God. Until that which is born of the flesh (John 3:6) is born of the spirit, it remains the product of the flesh; is carnal and conforms to the world. Until our bodies are presented to God as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, set aside unto God, they remain carnal and unacceptable to God. A life set aside unto God is holy just as the Lord is holy. A life presented to God should be sanctified and pure for God’s use. Are you sanctified?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, stir my heart to desire and be committed to sanctification unto God.