Fri.’s Devo - The Prophets Speak

Read Luke 2:34-38 Simeon gives Mary a “blessing” which doesn’t fall under our typical meaning of blessing. He said that her baby, Jesus, was appointed for the fall and rise of many and a sign that many would dispute. She would have her own soul pierced and many people hearts would be barred to all. The only way to Jesus is to die (the fall) and then for him be born again in our hearts (the rise). Many would dispute whether Jesus was the Messiah or not. And Mary would stand before the cross and watch her son, God’s son, crucified on a cross and be asked to have faith. Jesus revealed the ugliness of the Pharasee’s and the Sadducee’s hearts as they tried to trick him with hard questions. He blew them away with his answers and finally silenced them. When they couldn’t out-smart him, they thought they would just have him killed. They did, but instead of silencing him it only made his message louder and more powerful. Of course, Mary couldn’t understand how all this was going to play out but we have the advantage of seeing it as a whole. Anna, was also there at the temple that day. She was a prophetess and since it went into detail about her we might as well see why. He name mean “gracious”. She is from the “face of God” and the tribe that means “happy”. She was very old and her husband had only lived long enough to be married 7 years. It has now been 44 years since he died. She has spent her life being an intercessor. Since she lived at the temple it would be safe to say, she doesn’t have any children. She had every reason to feel rejected and pitiful, but instead she was gracious and happy. Four means “rule” so she has a double rule. She had a complete marriage but that ruler or leader is dead and God is sending an even greater husband and ruler in the form of this little baby and she is getting to see it. This baby would be the redemption of all Israel and eventually the whole earth. Lord, thank you, once again for sending your son to earth to show us who you are and to carve out a passage to heaven.