A Flash and Then Thunder - Luke 3:15-22 - The Baptism of Our Lord

 

Luke 3:15-22 NIV

¹⁵ The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. ¹⁶ John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹⁷ His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” ¹⁸ And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.

¹⁹ But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, ²⁰ Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.

²¹ When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened ²² and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

A Flash and Then Thunder

We’ve been here before. I can tell from the highlights in the Bible and the study texts that I use to study this Gospel message. We’ve been here before, over and over and over again. Yes, we’ve been here before.

In this passage, John the Baptist introduces Jesus and God’s Voice punctuates Jesus’ beginning ministry. This is amazing stuff here. And yes, in this amazing stuff, we must realize, that, we’ve been here before.

Heaven opens up, the Holy Spirit assumes the body of a dove, and a Voice from heaven, declares Jesus as the Son of the Father. Yep! We’ve been here before. We’ve been here before, not only in this passage of Scripture, over and over, but in many passages of God’s Word throughout the Old Testament and the New Testament. We’ve been here before.

And notice… this is easily missed… Jesus was praying before heaven was opened.

Do you wonder what Jesus was praying about? Jesus always seems to be praying. And here, before the heaven opens, Jesus is praying.

We’ve been here before. How many times do you read in Scripture how Jesus prays. He even gives us some instruction on how to pray. Yep! We’ve been here before.

And then… and then… the Holy Spirit descends in the form of a Dove and equips Jesus for His ministry.

All the baptized, should see, here how the Holy Spirit, descended upon you or me, as adult or child, to equip us for God’s ministry in our lives. Lives eternal. Yep! We’ve been here before. Over and over, God’s disciples, have been here before.

So, what’s “A Flash and Then Thunder” have to do with any of this?

I can’t help but to be reminded of Lightening and Thunder. When I get on my radio to listen and send CW messages, sometimes, especially during the summer months, I can hear very distant cracks of noise. Yes, this is distant cracks of lightening and thunder bouncing off of our ionosphere in radio frequency noises. Crack, and crackle, over and over again. Messages sent through messages sent. As I listen for another CW message from a friend, I hear over and over the crackles of noise. Noise that reminds me, that I’ve heard this before, over and over. A crackle that interrupts my listening and sometimes draws my attention completely away from the CW message I am trying to understand.

John the Baptist was trying to send a crackle of a message to all the world that someone greater than he was coming. A crackle of a message that we need to turn from our sinfulness and prepare ourselves to witness something new and amazing. John’s message crackled through the air, interrupting any and everything else, at that time, and even today. John’s Lightening and Thunder introduced fear with a message of repentance and coming salvation.

But John’s Crackle and Thunder didn’t come exactly like he or the world expected. John’s introduction of a new Crackle and Thunder, didn’t come in a way that the world expected. That Flash and Lightening, didn’t quite come like a King David, to take over all the governments of the day and right all the wrongs of this world with power and might. Well, not like what mankind expected.

We’ve been here before. Jesus’ Flash and Thunder came to this world in a much different way. Jesus, the man who did not sin, was baptized with John’s baptism of repentance and turning from sin. Well, what sin? What sin did Jesus have or commit?

And then there’s that Flash and Thunder of God. You see, Jesus took on our sin and became our sin. Flash and Thunder! Heaven opens, a dove descends and the Thunder of God’s Voice announces this Jesus’ as His one and only Son. Yes, God sent His Son into this world with a Flash and Thunder, of sorts, to save mankind from the curse of sin and death and eternal separation from God.

In God’s Flash and Thunder, in God’s ear-piercing crackles over the eternal air waves, minds and hearts turn to God. Mankind is captured in the fascination of God’s salvation. Life as God would have it, not as mankind thinks life should be. A Flash and Thunder that brings to earth God’s purpose in life. God’s gift of a direct relationship with Him through the Fellowship of God’s own Son, here and now. God’s crackle and Flash and Thunder teaches us how to live together with God and each other.

Yes, that crackle, that Flash of Light, that vision of Jesus grace in death, coming patient and gradual to the Cross. Death in an amongst much prayer. Just like we experience death in our baptismal waters, as we go under to be raised to New Life with God and have our very own Dove descend on us to bring us through life, to death and to eternal life with, and in God.

A crackle, a Flash, a Thunder of the voice of God, sent to all mankind, in Jesus, to illuminate REAL power. Not like the power of earthly men, but the REAL power of love and grace of God through Jesus’ life, ministry, healing, suffering, death and resurrection.

That’s the Flash… the Thunder… the Crackle that overpowers all other words in this world, that I’m talking about.

See the Flash, hear the Crackle, hear the Thunder… Know that Heaven has opened up to you and me and a Dove has descended upon this world and you and I, as well… In Jesus’ baptism and in your baptism, we have died and rose again to something else.

Matthew 27:50-53 NIV

⁵⁰ And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

⁵¹ At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split ⁵² and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. ⁵³ They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

Can you hear the Crackle, see the Flash, listen to the Thunder. May Jesus overwhelm your soul with new life in Him… today… tomorrow… and forever.

Let’s Pray,

Lord, You are with me through everything. All that this life brings, You are there too. May I listen to the Thunder and see the Flash of Light; that I may be dead to sin and alive forever through Christ. --- Amen

Wow! Look at this YouTube Video --- Read the words, look at the images, and think about this passage of Scripture on the Baptism of Our Lord and you as well.

In Christ Alone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C77pE9-V0vU

“In Christ Alone”

Astonished - Luke 2:40-52 - Second Sunday of Christmas

 

Luke 2:40-52 NIV

⁴⁰ And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

⁴¹ Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. ⁴² When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. ⁴³ After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. ⁴⁴ Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. ⁴⁵ When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. ⁴⁶ After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. ⁴⁸ When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

⁴⁹ “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” ⁵⁰ But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

⁵¹ Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. ⁵² And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Astonished!

A little bit of background will help with this passage of Scripture to begin with. At least it helped me.

First of all, a time-line. For me, it was easy to get confused of the events in Jesus’ life up to this point. So here is a time-line with the help of Unger’s Bible Handbook:

·       Jesus is born in Bethlehem

·       8 days old Jesus is circumcised

·       33 days after this Jesus is presented in the Temple --- this was last week’s reflection

·       At around 1 year of age three events occur

o   Magi visit

o   Mary/Joseph/Jesus flee to Egypt

o   Children are murdered in Bethlehem

·       At around 2 to 3 years of age – Jesus, Mary, and Joseph return to Nazareth

·       When Jesus was 12 years old – Jesus along with Joseph and Mary and a clan of Jewish believers visit Jerusalem – Probably for Passover --- and Jesus stays behind --- 3 days total --- hmmm!

·       From Jesus age of 12-30 years there is silence --- there were books written about Jesus’ childhood – But all the resources I found said the stories were somewhat ridiculous --- I’ll leave that up to your own study and your own determination

 

Some additional background will help as well:

From my studies – I learn that missing Jesus on the journey back was not that big a deal – the people traveled in groups for safety and fellowship – So, children likely played together – It was common for the parents not to meet up with their children until the end of the day – typically called the “evening roundup” – So -Mary and Joseph didn’t think anything of not seeing Jesus for the day.

And… Jesus was 12 years old. This was when a Jewish boy was prepared, or trained, for adult status in the Jewish community.

Also… I found an “Easter Egg” hidden in this passage, at least for me. This came as a surprise to my understanding of God’s work.

Here is my Easter Egg…

·       Joseph and Mary find out Jesus is missing on the evening of the first day

·       On the Second day, Joseph and Mary retrace their step looking for Jesus

·       Then on the morning of the third day, they find Jesus in the Temple

 

·       I can’t help but to recall Jesus’ crucifixion and burial on the evening of the first day – Good Friday

 

·       Jesus in the tomb on the Second Day

 

·       And Jesus resurrection of the morning of the Third Day

 

Is there deeper meaning to this? For me yes, perhaps for you as well. I’ll leave that to your own reflection and prayer.

What surprised me the most about this short passage of Scripture is the Joy involved. Yes, this passage inspired me to new joy. New joy in God’s Word through the joy of Jesus that I came to realize.

Another link of this passage to the Old Testament, Samuel and Hannah stories occurs here as well. Let’s dive into that for a little inspiration…

1 Samuel 3:1-10 NIV

3 The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.

² One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. ³ The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. ⁴ Then the Lord called Samuel.

Samuel answered, “Here I am.” ⁵ And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.

⁶ Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

“My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”

⁷ Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.

⁸ A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. ⁹ So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

¹⁰ The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”

Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

Do you see the connection? Both Jesus and Samuel were dedicated to God’s service. And both Jesus and Samuel ended up in the Temple to “listen” to God. To hear God speaking.  Both Jesus and Samuel have a call from God and a mission to carry out by God’s command.

And to take this in a bit, you and I too are called to listen to God; to respond to God’s love and to serve God and all those God gives to us in the love of our forgiven lives in an astonished joy and freedom that only God, through and in Jesus can give to us. Think that through a bit, and like Mary and Joseph, and Hannah, and Elizabeth, and Zachariah, and John the Baptist, and the disciples and all God’s people… internalize it. Take it in. Take it in like you take in the bread and the wine and the body and the blood into your very being. Internalize Jesus… I promise that this will astonish you!

God’s writings were close and dear to the 12-year-old Jesus. Jesus was in the Temple with the teachers and religious people of the day, asking questions and listening. Jesus wasn’t there to instruct, like some artwork seems to indicate. No, Jesus was passionate about God’s word and God’s Law. Here, Jesus has a happy, eager and open mind, along with a simple spirit of joy in God’s word and Law. Jesus had a desire to learn more and more and more.

In this passage, we witness Jesus’ joy and friendliness and cheer for learning. Yet, later on Jesus is given the title of “Man of Sorrows.” But Jesus was also as much, even more a “Man of Joy.”

And Joseph and Mary are “Astonished” by what they discover when they find Jesus on the morning of that third day.

And I’m astonished as well!

I’m astonished at the joy of learning the Word as presented to me in the Scriptures. I’m astonished at the joy of the gift of my baptism, as I am buried in the waters of my baptism and risen to new life with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

I’m astonished at the joy of Jesus coming to me and becoming an intimate part of me as I take in the bread and the wine, the body and the blood of Jesus, and Jesus joins with me, yes, comes to me to give me forgiveness and everlasting life in Holy Communion.

I’m astonished by God’s action, when I read and internalize God’s Word through Old Testament and New Testament writings. I’m astonished when I hear and listen to God’s Word of Law and Gospel spoken to me through all the Pastors of my life, yesterday, today and into the future. Gifted disciples, steeped in God’s Word that I can ask questions of and listen to, all precious gifts from God.

I’m astonished when I listen to fellow laypersons, disciples and hear how God is active in their lives. Hear how God has called each and every one of them to be priests in God’s active Word in the worlds in which we live.

As Jesus was in the Temple, in His own astonished state of joy and passion, He listened and even as He was aware of being the Son of God the Father; Jesus was astonished by all that God has done, since before all things.

Yes, it’s all astonishing! I’m astonished, today… tomorrow… and forever. How could I not be astonished at what God has done for all mankind, in granting forgiveness, salvation for sin and death and everlasting life with God.

Astonishing! And that word really can’t be expressed in its entirety as to how God excites me day after day.

On the first day, the day that my sin was taken in by Jesus and that day that Jesus died with my sin and was laid in the tomb. To the Holy Saturday, when I go back to search for my Savior, in the sorrow of my sin, to that Astonishing Day when I see Jesus’ empty tomb and the promise of my own resurrection to come… I’m ASTONISHED!

Astonished by a 12-year-old boy, astonished by God’s Word Himself. What an example of passion and excitement in a call that was so tough, yet so necessary for me and you and all the world.

Thanks be to God! Astonishing!

I leave you with this YouTube Music video by Chris Tomlin

“Indescribable”

Indescribable

Photo --- Laminin - The Protein that holds our bodies together...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpLqAUJcUbo

Jesus Comes to You - Luke 2:22-40 - First Week of Christmas

 

Luke 2:22-40 NIV

²² When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord ²³ (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), ²⁴ and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

²⁵ Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. ²⁶ It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. ²⁷ Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, ²⁸ Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

²⁹ “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
    you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
³⁰ For my eyes have seen your salvation,
³¹     which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and the glory of your people Israel.”

³³ The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, ³⁵ so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

³⁶ There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, ³⁷ and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. ³⁸ Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

³⁹ When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰ And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

Jesus Comes to You

Welcome to my last Blog and YouTube Video for the year. My Blog is” Daily Reflections” and my YouTube Videos are “Pointing to Jesus.” I began the YouTube series at the beginning of 2024 and have found them to be a blessing in my life of study and reflection in God’s Word as I witnessed Jesus in both Scripture and Life. And yes, as the title of this reflection speaks --- Jesus Comes to me and I hope to you as well.

This week’s studies on this passage of Scripture were the basis for a Sunday School lesson and the preaching from the pulpit at the church in which I attend. Since this reflection is a little later in the week than normal, I have had additional time to internalize the message. I find that God works on me in the in-between times of study and reading. I think as we look at God’s Word, pause, and look again, God works on and in us. And that’s kind of what happened here to Simeon and Anna. God was working on and in them all lifelong. And finally, they experienced the joy of seeing God’s salvation right there in their hands.

So, let’s dig in, for this final passage of Scripture for this year.

This passage is said to be, by some scholars, a mixed mash of ceremonies. Maybe three in total. Most obvious is the dedication of Jesus at the Temple.  This dedication of Jesus was similar to the Old Testament dedication of Samuel by Hannah.

1 Samuel 1:21-28 NIV

²¹ When her husband Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the Lord and to fulfill his vow, ²² Hannah did not go. She said to her husband, “After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the Lord, and he will live there always.”

²³ “Do what seems best to you,” her husband Elkanah told her. “Stay here until you have weaned him; only may the Lord make good his word.” So the woman stayed at home and nursed her son until she had weaned him.

²⁴ After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. ²⁵ When the bull had been sacrificed, they brought the boy to Eli, ²⁶ and she said to him, “Pardon me, my lord. As surely as you live, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. ²⁷ I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. ²⁸ So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.

This was a dedication of Samuel into the service of God. Likewise, Mary and Joseph handed over Jesus to the service of God. God has a plan for both Samuel, Jesus and all of us as well. And here we witness an account of Jesus coming for ALL mankind in service and love in and through God’s plan of salvation.

Mary and Hannah have so much in common, more than what we witnessed in common of Hannah’s Song and Mary’s Song of last week.

The second ceremony hinted at here is actually for Mary and her cleansing. The reason that this thought pops into the minds of the Biblical scholars, is because of what is offered and the timing.

Leviticus 12:1-8 NIV

12 The Lord said to Moses, ² “Say to the Israelites: ‘A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period. ³ On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised. ⁴ Then the woman must wait thirty-three days to be purified from her bleeding. She must not touch anything sacred or go to the sanctuary until the days of her purification are over. ⁵ If she gives birth to a daughter, for two weeks the woman will be unclean, as during her period. Then she must wait sixty-six days to be purified from her bleeding.

⁶ “‘When the days of her purification for a son or daughter are over, she is to bring to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting a year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a dove for a sin offering. ⁷ He shall offer them before the Lord to make atonement for her, and then she will be ceremonially clean from her flow of blood.

“‘These are the regulations for the woman who gives birth to a boy or a girl. ⁸ But if she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’”

This one is a bit of a stretch, to me, but I can see where the thought came from with the Biblical Scholars. Verse Luke 2:22 does mention purification rites… plural.

²² When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.

And the mention of the sacrifice two doves and two pigeons matches in both cases. So, Okay. This type of sacrifice points out that Mary and Joseph were poor. Okay, sure, maybe poor in riches, but eternally rich in faith and trust in God.

So far, we have one ceremony of the purification of the mother of Jesus, Mary. We have the presentation of Jesus to the service of God. Finally, the third ceremony hinted at is the first born “redeemed” and Holy to God. Jesus was the first born in this case too.

So, perhaps there are three ceremonies in this passage. I’ll leave that up to your own thinking. It is, however, what some Biblical Scholars seem to think. So, there you have that to ponder.

As I continue to introduce this passage of Scripture and these ceremonies, I came to see that here we have the perfect “man” in Jesus, of Mary and the Holy Spirit, made “under the Law.”

So, what’s the significance of this?

In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, we see the significance for us today as well…

Galatians 4:4-5 NIV

⁴ But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

Jesus came to us and kept the Law perfectly. So, these ceremonies were part of that Law. Jesus was the only “man” to be able to keep the Law perfectly and He did this FOR us out of love.

And finally on the order of introduction, this passage of Scripture, once again, as in the past few reflections; points out that dividing line in time. We have Anna and Simeon of the Israel of “Old” and we have Jesus of the Israel of the “New.”

New Israel?

The “New” Israel is the Church of today that includes ALL. Jew and Gentile both… ALL. So, Israel is not to be confused with a place, like we have the nation of Israel in the past and today. Israel is the One Church of God today and into eternity. You’ll have to struggle with this one a bit, I’m sure, but don’t let it confuse you too much that it takes you away from hearing the Word.

Now, let’s move on.

What do you want to see most before you die?

For Simeon, he wanted to see, nothing about himself really… NO… Simeon wanted to see God’s Promise to his people and himself before his own eyes. That makes sense. Simeon got to see the Light of God in the face of Jesus. And Simeon realized that Jesus was a gift to ALL people, not just the Isreal of “old,” but the Israel of the “new” today.

Yes, Jesus was and IS a gift for ALL, a treasure for ALL, and a glory for ALL!

How cool is that! We even get to be in this revelation to Simeon of Jesus!

Simeon had some prophecy going on here. Prophecy doesn’t come from “mans” or even Simeon’s doings. It comes from “man” being moved by the Holy Spirit. And this is what happened to Simeon. I mean, after all, it was the Holy Spirit that guided Simeon to the Temple in the first place.

Hear… or read, this New Testament passage…

2 Peter 1:21 NIV

²¹ For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

So, Simeon and Anna were inspired by the Holy Spirit.

And in this message from the Holy Spirit through Simeon and Anna, Joseph and Mary come to learn that Jesus is the Messiah. Think about that. This is the first time that they get a hint that Jesus is something more than an earthly king sent by God. Jesus is “mankind’s” Savior. That’s a BIG deal to begin to realize. So, it’s no wonder that Joseph and Mary are astonished. Jesus is Savior to BOTH Jew and Gentile. That’s all of us, folks!

Astonishing as now we and they begin to see how God’s salvation is achieved NOT through earthly powers of kings and rules. No! God’s salvation is achieved by God giving and surrendering Jesus TO the powers of this world.

Some people will reject this Jesus.

Hear or read this prophecy of Isaiah, years before this Luke passage…

Isaiah 8:14-15 NIV

¹⁴ He will be a holy place;
    for both Israel and Judah he will be
a stone that causes people to stumble
    and a rock that makes them fall.
And for the people of Jerusalem he will be
    a trap and a snare.
¹⁵ Many of them will stumble;
    they will fall and be broken,
    they will be snared and captured.”

So, there you have it. Some will reject Jesus and others will accept Jesus and rise to new life through Jesus. And many will dispute Jesus as Savior.

Jesus’ incarnation… or God becoming flesh, isn’t just sweet, mild and all lovely, alone. Jesus grew up to reveal Himself as God and the Savior. How? Not through earthly riches, power and strength… NO… Jesus is our Savior through service, love, teaching, healing, pain, suffering, death, and that wonderful resurrection.

Some people love Jesus and others hate Jesus. Yet, Jesus forced a decision. Will we as “mankind” change from our desires from worldly greed, lust, power, riches and selfishness, TO, service to God and all those God places in our lives day by day?

Jesus came to save ALL through Love. Many then and today, didn’t and won’t believe in this salvation.

The truth is --- there was tragedy in the life of Jesus.

In this passage of Scripture, we see that Jesus was dedicated, AND, the normal became different. The normal things and people in Jesus’ life became the wonder of God. The focus of God, the Love of God in Jesus to grant the grace of God’s saving Love for ALL.

Jesus’ Love digs deep into mankind. Jesus’ love digs deep into our individual souls and fills us up with God’s goodness and Love. This IS the grace from that “Silent Night,” to the cry of the pain of Jesus on the cross and in the Light of the Resurrection into Life eternal with God.

Why?

Listen to Anna. In Anna we learn that the disaster and death of Jesus is NOT the end. We have Hope in Jesus.

You see, we need the Light of God in our face. The Light of God that brings forgiveness beyond ourselves, TO, life in and with God forever.

Yes! It’s true. In this Christmas Season, Jesus comes to you!

Jesus IS Holy and leads us into the Promised Land. God sent redemption to His people in Jesus. May we “Point to Jesus,” as we have this past year and for all time to come. May we do everything in the name of Jesus.

What do I want to see before I die?

I want to follow Jesus into eternity, as I Point to Him, all along the way.

Thanks be to God!

I leave you with this YouTube video that speaks to this reflection… enjoy

Nunc Dimittis – Song of Simeon

Nunc Dimittis - Song of Simeon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CxBtKqzZTA

Image --- Andrey Shishkin: Simeón y el Niño Jesús.