Monday 3 February 2025
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him. (v. 40)
Background
In the Bible passage we read today the baby Jesus is presented at the Temple by his parents in accordance with Jewish custom. It sees two people fulfil their purpose. In both Simeon and Anna we have two people who have been waiting for a moment – this moment. As Jesus is presented to the Lord, they both sense that this is the child they have been waiting for. He is the child God had spoken to them about. This is the moment they can share in the story of Jesus.
Simeon gives thanks and blesses the child and speaks of what his future has in store. Anna, likewise praises God and speaks of this child's significance. Mary and Joseph are amazed, as you can imagine in this situation.
We are told that back home after all of this has happened, Jesus continues to grow in wisdom and in God’s favour. We know little else about Jesus early life and we can only guess what it would have been like. At his birth he had been visited by shepherds and wise men, in the Temple the prophets Simeon and Anna had spoken of his future significance. However, back home he was just another child.
To Ponder:
- How can Anna and Simeon's patience and trust inspire your own faith journey?
- How might moments of recognition – like Simeon and Anna’s realisation of Jesus’ significance – shape the way you view your own purpose and interactions with others?
- What lessons can we learn from the contrast between Jesus’ extraordinary beginnings and his ordinary upbringing about how God is at work in everyday life?
Bible notes author: The Revd David Wynd
David Wynd is a Methodist minister serving in Cullercoats, in North Tyneside.