This Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed – and a sword will pierce even your own soul - to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed

 Good morning. When eight days were completed before His circumcision, His name was then

called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. Again we

see that it was eight days before He was officially named. When the days for their purification

were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. When we talk

about going up to someplace, it usually means that that place is more less north of us, but not

always. When they were talking about going up, they meant elevation. Jerusalem was up from

just about everywhere. So they may have gone back to Nazareth, or they may have stayed in

Bethlehem. There was a man named Simeon who was looking for the consolation of Israel; and

the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not

see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. He came in the Spirit, took Jesus into his arms,

blessed God and spoke. It did not say that he was filled with the Spirit, but he did speak. He

said to Mary, “this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be

opposed – and a sword will pierce even your own soul - to the end that thoughts from many

hearts may be revealed.” Still Mary did not connect this to the crucifixion that would come 30

some years later. Then Anna came in who spent her life in the temple serving God. She gave

thanks to God for Him. Jesus and His family then returned home to Nazareth. He increased in

wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. Father thank You that You are with us always.

Help us to have a wonderful day and meet all of our needs.

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