(from www.PonderingGod.com)

It has been a hectic time - Christmas gifts to buy, decorations to put up, celebrations to attend, food to bake,

gifts to unwrap, trash to recycle, extra pounds to lose, OK I'll stop there. Did you feel at "Peace" this

Christmas?" I wonder if the first family of Christmas found much "Peace" that first Christmas.

It was just 40 days after the Birth of Jesus and the young family was back in the temple again. This time it was

for the sacrifice of purification and the dedication of the Christ Child. Having been the firstborn boy, the Law

of Moses called for his dedication to the Lord as Holy, in memory of the rescue of the firstborn in the

Passover. While they are there they come upon an old man, Simeon, who had spent many long years in the

temple. Simeon was waiting on a promise that had been given him by God. This promise said that he would not

die before he saw the Lord's Christ.

I imagine that some of the others had differing opinions as to the antics, and all his talk about Messiah. Even on

this day they probably shook their heads when they saw him hurry after this poor young couple. Messiah? This

couple couldn't even afford a proper sacrifice, they were getting by with the minimum prescribed in the law for

the poor. Luke tells this account in the second chapter of his Gospel:

22 And when the time came for their purification

according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to

Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in

the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first 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 Now

there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon,

and this man was righteous 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 And he came in 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 that you have prepared in the presence

of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and

for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to

Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is

opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be

revealed.”

Luke 2:22-35 (ESV)

How is it that Simeon could leave this place in peace today? Three reasons;

1. He was declared "Righteous" (vs. 25)

2. He was given a promise (vs. 26) and it was fulfilled (vs. 30)

3. He was led by the Holy Spirit (vs. 27)

I can only imagine his joy over meeting the Messiah. All it took for him was a glimpse and he had seen enough.

He did not live to see Jesus grow up, to become a Rabbi, or to die and rise from the dead. The promise and the

prompting of the Spirit that it was now fulfilled was enough.

How can we find peace like Simeon?

Rest in the promise that we have been declared "Righteous"

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although

the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through

faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:

Romans 3:21-22 (ESV)

Trust in the promises what we have been given by God!

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me,

though he die, yet shall he live,

John 11:25 (ESV) 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with

you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:20 (ESV)

Live your life led by the Spirit of Christ.

6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying,

“Abba! Father!”

Galatians 4:6 (ESV) 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and

believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

Ephesians 1:13 (ESV)

SOMETHING TO PONDER If these are 3 keys to finding peace, What is it that robs you of peace? What other ways would you add to your keys to finding peace?

Taken from “Pondering God” a blog by Craig McCourt

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