Categories
One

Our Consolation has Come

Week 10 | Sections 12, 13

Our Consolation has ComeHow many people there are still in need of consolation. People who are ensnared by the evil and wrong doing of others and those who are embroiled by their own vices be they from striving or indulgence.

The good news is that our consolation has come. This was the was the truth that the Simeon, the president of the Sanhedrin, and Anna, the prophetess, discovered that day when Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple as an infant.

Indeed, freedom is freely available to all those who accept the finished work of Jesus Christ.


Scripture:
Luke 2:21 | Section 12

21 When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision1of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel2 before he was conceived in the womb.

Luke 2:22-38 | Section 13

22 When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses3 were fulfilled, they brought him4 up to Jerusalem,5 to present him to the Lord6 23 (as it is written in the law7 of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.8 This man was righteous and devout,9 looking for the consolation of Israel,10 and the Holy Spirit11 was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.12 27 He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law, 28 then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,13 29 “Now you are releasing your servant, Master,according to your word, in peace;14¯15¯16 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared17 before the face of all peoples;18 32 a light for revelation to the nations,and the glory of your people Israel.” 33 Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him, 34 and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the falling19 and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. 35 Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” 36 There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day. 38 Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.


 

Group Dialog:

  1. What do you find most touching about this story?
  2. What was your own experience with the dedication or baptism of an infant?
  3. What assurances of grace can be communicated by this act? And what benefit do they bring?
  4. Why is peace so hard to find? What disturbs your own sense of peace?
  5. How might Scripture, grace, and faith mitigate disturbances that so easily beset us from the intention of God?

Learning Objectives:

Consecration, consolation, Divine plan, humanity of Christ, sensitivity to the Holy Spirit,


Study Notes: