Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: PEACE (12/02/21)
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TITLE: Simeon | Previous Challenge Entry
By Vashti (Rose) Hing
12/08/21 -
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For forty days after the birth of a son, a Jewish woman was required to avoid the temple. That was considered her time of “purification,” and Mary was no exemption. “And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord….” Luke 2:22.
On arrival at the temple, Joseph and Mary noticed the long line of mothers beautifully dressed and their little ones with their pretty needlework clothing and baby booties. All were well dressed for the religious ceremony, except for Mary. She was poorly dressed, and baby Jesus was wrapped in swaddling cloth as they entered and took their position in the line. Some of the mothers kept looking at Mary in disdain, wondering who she was, so poorly dressed. Some remembered hearing about her that the baby was born out of wedlock. Mary was a mother before Joseph married her, so they kept their distance. They wanted nothing to do with her.
An old man by the name of Simeon was waiting for the consolation of Israel. He was a just and devout man, well known in his religious community. The Holy Ghost revealed to him that he would not die until he saw the Lord’s Christ. And Simeon believed it, and he told everyone he came in contact. Some laughed and thought age was catching up with him because they were not looking for the “Christ child.” However, it was prophesied by the prophet many years ago, but nothing had happened. They thought that Simeon was out of his mind. But Simeon knew that God was able to keep His promise to him. So, he was not ashamed to testify. He longed to see the “Christ child.” And he was living in expectation every day.
That morning as he was in his studies, he picked up the scroll. His eyes fell on Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” At that moment, something happened, so he stopped reading and within him something said, “Stand on your feet Simeon, and start walking.
“Where should I go, Lord?”
“Just keep walking Simeon.”
The Holy Spirit led Simeon to the temple. He saw a long line of women with their babies. The Holy Spirit said to him, “Stop Simeon and look!” He looked, and in the middle of the line, he saw a very young woman poorly dressed and the baby wrapped in swaddling cloth. His eyes fixed on her. Then he saw the Light, the Angel of the Covenant above her. He rushed over to her, took the baby in his arms, and blessed God. All eyes then fastened on them. He continued: “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him.” Luke 2:26-33.
After Simeon blessed them, he prophesied to Mary about the child that he would cause many people to fall and many to rise. He will be opposed and rejected, exposing the thoughts of people’s hearts. Then he left the temple, ready to die.
The angels must have been singing while Simeon was in the temple blessing God, “Come let us adore him, come let us adore him. Christ the Lord.” Yet, the people did not recognize that the Prince of Peace was in the temple that day.
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However, in the second paragraph, should the word exemption be exception?
Keep writing and God bless.