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Luke 2 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
Luke narrates the routine events that surrounded the arrival of Jesus in a way that presents the ordinary with the extraordinary. God is present in seemingly insignificant events. We see this when we read that nestled in the traditions and customs was the supernatural promise to a man named Simeon who was told he would see the coming Savior before his death. Similar to the story of Zechariah, we are introduced to a man who was associated with the temple.
Simeon is given the promise and the evidence of that promise is brought to him, in the flesh. He then thanks God, blesses the child, and speaks another prophetic message to Mary. Ironically, we see the same theme with Anna, the prophetess in verse 38.
At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Luke 2:38 NASB
I can’t seem to get this pattern out of my head. What does this look like for us today? We have the promises of God, and most certainly can see the evidence of those promises every day. So really the question I ask myself is, what is my praise response?
In the New Testament, the ultimate praise response is giving our lives completely over to Him. When we get hung up on our own will, we will never see things in the right view. When we reflect on what’s been done for us, the natural response is praise. We receive joy in the most trying times. We are blessed with patient endurance for whatever task lies ahead. We are encouraged to go out and bring glory to the Lord in the same way our Savior sacrificed everything.
The events of Jesus’ birth did not come without its trials and struggles. The Lord led his people (Joseph, Mary, Zechariah, Elizabeth, Simeon, & Anna) as they stepped out in obedience. We read nothing that contradicts this. When God said He would send a Savior, they lived like that promise was already true. How are you living this very day? What is your praise response?