Prayer of the Week

       (NASB) Psalm 98:1-3 “O SING to the LORD a new song, For He has done wonderful things, His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him. 2 The LORD has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations. 3 He has remembered His […]

Passover Feast in Jerusalem

(NASB) Luke 2:41 “Now His (Jesus) parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.”   Passover – a special yearly Feast – one which, if at all possible, should be celebrated in Jerusalem. Passover – celebrated in the spring of the year. Passover – commemorating the exodus of the Hebrews out […]

Jesus: fulfilled the Law and the Prophets

 (NASB) Luke 2:39 “When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord…”   Joseph and Mary were careful to fulfill the Law of circumcision (See Luke 2:21) and later they presented the baby Jesus to God in the Jerusalem temple as the first born Son (See Luke 2:22).  They fulfilled the Laws […]

A Parent’s Observation

  Parents are usually nurturing, protective and observing their        child(ren) with love, tenderly caring for them with loving concern.   Joseph and Mary were no exception as they parented Jesus: (NASB) Luke 2:39-40 “When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. […]

Omissions can be Deceptive or Discerning

  Just as your friends know something of your life, they don’t know all the things which have happened in your life.   Dr. Luke focused on Jesus as the Son of Man: fully Man; (yet, Son of God: fully God). Dr. Luke did not include everything which happened to Jesus, Mary and Joseph while […]

Fasting and Praying

  At the very moment that Simeon was telling Mary that she would be pierced in her soul (mind, emotions and will) so that secret thoughts and purposes of many hearts will be disclosed, Anna came up to them.  It would seem she gave thanks to God for what she had overheard.   Who was […]

“…for a sign that is spoken against.”

 Simeon was holding the baby Jesus who would have been about 4-6 weeks old.  As Joseph and Mary brought the baby into the temple in Jerusalem, Simeon had asked to hold the baby.   Then Simeon blessed God for the birth of this baby, God’s salvation for the Gentiles and the Jews.  Joseph and Mary […]

Prayer of the Week

(NASB) Psalm 119:41-45 “May Your lovingkindnesses also come to me, LORD, Your salvation according to Your word; 42 So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word. 43 And do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, For I wait for Your ordinances. […]

Amazement at God’s Plan

  Are you in awe and amazement that Jesus, the Son of God, was sent to be born and be a Light of revelation to the Gentiles and for the glory of God’s people, Israel?  This Good News is for you!  What have you done with this knowledge?   Joseph and Mary were also amazed at […]

Recognizing Salvation

  Simeon was a righteous and devout man of God.  He waited for the consolation of Israel, for God had promised him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ. (See Luke 2:25-26) The Holy Spirit of the living God had led him to go to the temple.  Joseph and Mary had […]