Jesus is Presented in the Temple
Luke 2:21, 22, 25-38 or 2:25-38
International Sunday School Lesson
December 29, 2013
Commentary
By
Jed Greenough
The power of the Spirit working in the lives of the devout is readily apparent early on in these first couple chapters of Luke especially in the scripture for today as we see with Simeon and Anna. Was it so readily there because of Christ or is there something that we are missing?
I am certain of the part Christ would have played so that answers that but the remainder might be conjecture but for me and my opinion, I am satisfied that most of us today are missing something.
Fact is, the majority of us negate the more dramatic workings of the Spirit and that means we are lessening the Spirit in our lives. I think of the opportunities missed; missed healing, missed blessings, missed opportunity to be aware of what really is going on in these trying times.
Simeon was righteous and devout and certainly the best among us today would need to be righteous and devout or we will not be used even if we want it to occur. Anna, even in her advanced age did not lose her passion for God. She was constantly in a “place” of worship with God.
I will testify that myself personally I have experienced more in my life that I know to be Spirit-based when I have been most devout, most righteous and when I have been in a more constant place of worship. Furthermore, it has occurred without effort.
After experiencing that one would think that a person would do all that they could to maintain that but we (I’m) a work in progress. In my case I can also tell you that I wasn’t raised to give the Spirit the measure that is due and I don’t worship today in a place that does either. But I take full responsibility and I think you can to and change it in your own life.
For those of you who aren’t missing out you can be a benefit to others who are and you must seek ways to do that. Let me restate that. Your gift and ability to recognize and utilize that blessing is needed by the church today and you do have a responsibility to those of us who need your assistance and for the good of all who are not yet of the church. We must stand up and verbalize and yes, demontrate that we are neglecting one third of what we profess as the Trinity.
For Discussion:
1. Read Exodus 12:2-8
2. Read Leviticus 12:2-8
3. Read Exodus 13:2-13
4. Discuss that people (perhaps you) resist what I am saying. They would say these examples are not available to all believers
5. Remember Luke was a Gentile as you consider verse 32
6. Discuss what Mary and Joseph must have thought when they heard what was said in verses 34-35
7. Imagine holding Christ as a child in your arms as Simeon did!
Upcoming Lessons
12-29-13 Jesus is Presented in the Temple Luke 2:21, 22, 25-38 or 2:25-38
1-5-14 Honoring the Sabbath, Luke 6:1-11
1-12-14 Living as God’s People or How to Live as God’s People, Luke 6:12, 13, 17-31 or 6:17-31
1-19-14 Enlarging Your Circle or Jesus Teaches about Relationships, Luke 14:7-18a, 21-24 or 14:7-18a, 22-24
1-26-14 Showing Compassion for the Poor or Jesus Teaches Compassion for the Poor, Luke 16:19-31
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved
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