Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Entry of our Lord into the Temple
Bible portion: Luke 02: 22-39Reflection:
The theme for our meditation today is: Entry of our Lord into the Temple taken from the gospel according to St. Luke Chapter 2 Verses 22- 39. For our meditation, I am going to look at three main characters in the passage: Jesus parents’, church elder Simeon and prophet Anna, and young baby Jesus.
In this passage, we read about the young boy Jesus our Lord being brought to the temple to be presented or dedicated to the Lord. The young boy Jesus is accompanied with his parents during the time allotted for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses. A sacrifice of a pair of doves or two young pigeons was also required. I believe this occasion must have been the first-time young Jesus is presented in the temple in front of church elders such as Simeon (from Jerusalem) as well. Even before God blessed Mary and Joseph to be husband and wife and future parents, I believe that Joseph and Mary knew that baby Jesus would be very special to them. They also wanted to do everything in accordance to the Scriptures and God’s will.
As an elder in the church, Simeon was very knowledgeable about the Scriptures as well as experienced in different ceremonies that occurred in the church like dedication, purification, etc. Simeon also was very knowledgeable about the Bible as he had a very strong faith in God. Having a strong faith in God allowed Simeon required an open mind and an open heart. God opened Simeon’s heart through his faith and opened Simeon’s eyes through a vision of the promise that was prepared for the future. In versus 28 to 32, we hear Simeon’s prayer of praise to God for the baby Jesus and his prayer for dedication for the young baby Jesus. Also, the prophet Anna was a very dedicated woman of God as she also worshipped in the temple every day.
Another main character in this passage is the most important one of all. The young baby Jesus as the child being dedicated is brought to the temple by his parents but is blessed by both Simeon and Anna. I believe that baby Jesus learned about God and the temple first by his parents and second by his experiences. As parents, we dedicate our children to God when we baptize them. But the process of raising our children in the Christian faith requires us to encourage them to be involved in the upbringing of our children in the church while being active participants in the church worship services. I believe that this was the final part of Jesus’ dedication in the temple. As the young baby Jesus entered into the temple, He was completely dedicated to God in mind, body, and spirit.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, we humbly ask you this day to dedicate each and every one of our children to Your mighty Will. Instill in them a thirst for your knowledge of Your divine purpose that goes far beyond comprehension. Also, give them a discerning heart to understand and obey Your Will. Be with them always, especially when we are not present so they can live a life pleasing to You in mind, body, and spirit. Amen
Thought for the Day
Time for Dedication and Rededication as worship.
Dr. Sharlin Thampi, LIMTC, NY
The theme for our meditation today is: Entry of our Lord into the Temple taken from the gospel according to St. Luke Chapter 2 Verses 22- 39. For our meditation, I am going to look at three main characters in the passage: Jesus parents’, church elder Simeon and prophet Anna, and young baby Jesus.
In this passage, we read about the young boy Jesus our Lord being brought to the temple to be presented or dedicated to the Lord. The young boy Jesus is accompanied with his parents during the time allotted for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses. A sacrifice of a pair of doves or two young pigeons was also required. I believe this occasion must have been the first-time young Jesus is presented in the temple in front of church elders such as Simeon (from Jerusalem) as well. Even before God blessed Mary and Joseph to be husband and wife and future parents, I believe that Joseph and Mary knew that baby Jesus would be very special to them. They also wanted to do everything in accordance to the Scriptures and God’s will.
As an elder in the church, Simeon was very knowledgeable about the Scriptures as well as experienced in different ceremonies that occurred in the church like dedication, purification, etc. Simeon also was very knowledgeable about the Bible as he had a very strong faith in God. Having a strong faith in God allowed Simeon required an open mind and an open heart. God opened Simeon’s heart through his faith and opened Simeon’s eyes through a vision of the promise that was prepared for the future. In versus 28 to 32, we hear Simeon’s prayer of praise to God for the baby Jesus and his prayer for dedication for the young baby Jesus. Also, the prophet Anna was a very dedicated woman of God as she also worshipped in the temple every day.
Another main character in this passage is the most important one of all. The young baby Jesus as the child being dedicated is brought to the temple by his parents but is blessed by both Simeon and Anna. I believe that baby Jesus learned about God and the temple first by his parents and second by his experiences. As parents, we dedicate our children to God when we baptize them. But the process of raising our children in the Christian faith requires us to encourage them to be involved in the upbringing of our children in the church while being active participants in the church worship services. I believe that this was the final part of Jesus’ dedication in the temple. As the young baby Jesus entered into the temple, He was completely dedicated to God in mind, body, and spirit.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, we humbly ask you this day to dedicate each and every one of our children to Your mighty Will. Instill in them a thirst for your knowledge of Your divine purpose that goes far beyond comprehension. Also, give them a discerning heart to understand and obey Your Will. Be with them always, especially when we are not present so they can live a life pleasing to You in mind, body, and spirit. Amen
Thought for the Day
Time for Dedication and Rededication as worship.
Dr. Sharlin Thampi, LIMTC, NY