Right, You Are... Just, You See.

Yesterday, Pastor Sam continued his series Human Stories in the Divine Drama.

Although the tradition in many churches is to focus on the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) on the third Sunday of Advent, our pastor also walked us through the prophetic statements made by Simeon, an elderly man who (like others in the Advent narrative) was described as righteous.

Pastor Sam mentioned in passing that there seems to be a pattern in the Advent narrative: the people highlighted in the Advent story are people who seek to do the will of God as recorded in His word. And, in seeking to do His will, they received the great reward and privilege of prophecy.

Is your Christian walk characterized by prophetic encounters with the living God?

Whether our answer is yes or no, we would all do well to seek after righteousness. Such a seeking opens the door to Divine revelation: words of commendation, comfort, and caution to encourage and equip the people of God. We will reflect on the sermon points over the course of this week; today, though, let us hear Simeon's story from Luke 2:25-35.

And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 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. And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

“Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace,
According to Your word;
For my eyes have seen Your salvation, Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
A Light of revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”

And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”