Luke 2, Part 1

Scripture: Luke 2:1-40

Observation: Jesus' birth and presentation in the temple. There was great celebration in heaven upon Jesus' birth, and it spread down to the earth. God used two righteous people known in the temple, Simeon and Anna the prophetess, to announce that Jesus was the awaited Messsiah, the consolation of Israel. This, sadly, would bring much pain to Mary, who would live to see Jesus rejected and crucified.

Application: Though the angel had told Mary she was blessed among women, it didn't exempt her from suffering. It must have been devastating for her to hear Simeon's prophesy. But our lives as Christians here on earth doesn't promise to be a smooth ride. There will be pain to suffer before we experience the day when there will be no more mourning, crying, tears or death (Revelation 21:4).

Prayer: "I know there'll be days when this life brings me pain, but if that's what it takes to praise You, Jesus bring the rain." That song comes to my mind Lord, because those days must come. But I will praise You even when life seems too much to bear, because in the end I know where I'm going and my sufferings will end. May Your name be praised forever. In Your Precious name I pray, Amen.