“Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.”
(Luke 2:27-29closeLuke 2:27-29
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; (ESV)
closeLuke 2:27-29closeLuke 2:27-29
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; (ESV)
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; (ESV)
; from the Gospel reading for 12.30.12)
“Peace Which Is Beyond Our Understanding”
Get To Know Your “Neighbor”
+ Describe a peaceful moment from your childhood: __________
God’s Blueprint
+ The world as God originally created it, was peaceful.
How does sin destroy peace in the world? __________
+ For Luther, the hope that his students would “be the cause of salvation for the whole world” gave him the peace which Simeon expressed here (commentary on Genesis 17:9closeGenesis 17:9 9 And God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. (ESV) closeGenesis 17:9closeGenesis 17:9 9 And God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. (ESV) 9 And God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. (ESV) ).
How does working to share the Gospel give you peace? __________
+ A key concept in Biblical “peace” is being made one, where there was brokenness and separation. The peace of the Messiah is to make us one with God. This is why Jesus was sent into the world.
Where do we have separation from God in our own lives? __________
God’s Best
+ Simeon knew that Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ; but not because of his own wisdom- the Holy Spirit revealed this to him and literally on that special day, the Holy Spirit directed Simeon’s footsteps into the temple courts, so that he would be standing precisely where Mary and Joseph passed by with baby Jesus.
This is how we “come to faith”; it is not by our own efforts or wisdom; but it is the work of the Holy Spirit; the glory for our conversion belongs to Him alone.
How have you seen God at work in your life, drawing you closer to Him? __________
God’s Baptized
+ Having been with Jesus, Simeon could go in peace. This is the blessing of being a baptized believer in Jesus; we can go on with our lives in peace; in His peace.
How does a peaceful heart change your outlook? __________
Jim Buckman
Hi Jim. Hope you are well. Love the format above. Great job.