2 February 2014 - at that very moment

2 February 2014 - at that very moment


And suddenly there will come to the temple
the LORD whom you seek,
And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.
Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.
But who will endure the day of his coming?
 
Who will endure the LORD's coming?  Only those who can reconcile this infant child with the king of glory will endure it.  Only those who see the "LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle." in this apparently helpless babe.

In this act of humility and love Jesus chooses to "share in blood and flesh".  It is step one of his battle plan to "destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the Devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life."  But who can see such things in a helpless babe? 

We hear the question, "Who is the king of glory?"  Can we see his divinity at work even (or especially) in the humility he shows?  'Sure we can', we imagine.  If we were trade places with Simeon or Anna we imagine that we will be just as receptive to this Divine Child.  Yet God visits us in our own lives a million humble situations which we overlook because they seem too mundane.  After all it isn't unusual to bring a "male that opens the womb" to be "consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice."  Can we see God enter into the routine of life?  Can we appreciate the vast humility he shows when he does so?

Simeon and Anna are therefore models for us.  How do they recognize the LORD whom they seek when he comes to the temple?  First, they are waiting. 

This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,

Second, they are spending time with God so that when God comes in a new and more profound way they can recognize him.

She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.

Third, they are open to the Holy Spirit.  He is able to speak to them because he is not a stranger.  The child comes, the Holy Spirit speaks, and they recognize his voice.  Just look how obedient Simeon is to the Spirit:

and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;

This is the closeness to the Holy Spirit we need. It isn't just for special occasions.  Simeon didn't say to himself, 'It's Epiphany today so I better focus on what the Spirit is saying'  It is only because this is the day to day fidelity of Simeon and Anna that they recognize Jesus for who he is.

Anna's worship is filled with the Holy Spirit.  She is therefore attentive enough not to miss the time or her visitation.  Because she does not miss the moment she gives thanks.  She can't keep it to herself.  She tells anyone who will listen about this amazing and unexpected king of glory.

And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

Jesus comes to free us from the fear of death.  He does this mainly by his resurrection.  But he also does it by sanctifying every moment by the life he lives.  This bond brings him close to all who wait and watch for him.

therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters
in every way,
that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God
to expiate the sins of the people.
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested.