Not the Same
Day 200
October 2, 2020
When someone has come to know Jesus personally, their lives are never the same. In the second chapter of Luke, we see the examples of 3 groups of people whose actions show: 1) that Jesus was truly the promised Messiah, the hope of Israel, and a light to the Gentiles; 2) that people’s actions support their beliefs and reveal to the world the hope that they have come to know.
When the Christ was born, God sent his angels to declare this wonderful news not to kings and princes, but to shepherds in a field. AND THEIR LIVES ARE NOT THE SAME. “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what has been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them” - Luke 2:17-18. Having heard the news from the angels and seen the child with their own eyes and believed, the shepherds spread the word immediately.
When Jesus’ parents brought him to the temple to present him before the Lord, a man named Simeon was present. AND HIS LIFE WAS NOT THE SAME. The text tells us that “When the parents brought in the child Jesus,” (v. 2:27) Simeon, who had been moved by the Spirit to go to the temple courts, sees this precious family and takes the child into his arms. He says, “...my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” - Luke 2:30-32. Having taken the child in his arms, He believed God’s promises as declared in the Scriptures: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6)
And when the prophetess Anna, who was also there in the temple on that day saw Simeon and this young family, we read: “Coming to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” - Luke 2:38. This woman who had spent most of her life as a widow, but in constant worship of God WAS NOT THE SAME. Having seen the child herself, she speaks to those who were looking forward to Israel’s redemption, fueling the hope they have in the promises of God.
In a time when we draw near to celebrate the biblical Feast of Tabernacles, we can remember that over 2,000 years ago, the Word became Flesh, and came to “tabernacle” or dwell among man. But because we have known Christ, we can be filled with the hope that inspires our actions in proclaiming that one day, He will come back again to reign and we will be with Him once again. He is the son of Abraham and the heir to the throne of David (Matthew 1:1-17) and more importantly the Son of the Most High God (Luke 3:23-38). We will tabernacle again with Him and it will be for eternity.
Don’t forget this truth. Don’t stay the same. Be like the shepherds. Be like Simeon. Be like Anna. If you have seen him, spread the word. If you have taken him into your arms, worship him for who he is. If you have come into his presence, give thanks and encourage everyone else who is looking forward to the coming day of our blessed HOPE.
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” - Titus 2:11-14
Today, Read Luke 2.