The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 3 February 2020 – Holy To The Lord
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TOPIC: Holy To The Lord
READ: LUKE 2:22-35 (NKJV)
22 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
23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD”),
24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
25 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.
26 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.
27 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,
28 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
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32 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.
34 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
35 “(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
THE MESSAGE:
The presentation of Christ in the Temple comes 40 days after Christmas. That is the interval between the birth of a male Child and his presentation as prescribed by the Law (Leviticus 12:3, 4, 8; Deuteronomy 16:16-17). This corresponds to our present day Churching of women after Child birth.
The parents of Jesus obeyed the command that every first born male belonged to the Lord and had to be redeemed (Exodus 13: 1-2; Numbers 18: 15-16). Jesus was presented in the Temple as holy to the Lord. And as we commemorate His presentation, we are requested to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service (Romans 12: 1).
When Jesus was brought to the Temple, Simeon sang the Nunc Dimittis which announced that with the coming of the Messiah, the old order is superseded. He declared that in Jesus, salvation had come (verse 30; Malachi 3:1-6). Jesus is the light to the Gentiles and glory to His people Israel (verse 32; Isaiah 49:6). He continues “Behold, this Child (Jesus) is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel…’’ (Luke 2:34). I implore you to accept Him today as LORD or you will stand before Him tomorrow as your Judge.
PRAYER: LORD Jesus, I present my spirit, soul and body to You. Help me to live for You forever. Amen.
