Category Archives: Calvary Chapel

The old man at the temple – Luke 2:22-32

Posted on by
Reply

22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
    according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31     that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and for glory to your people Israel.”

This text does not exactly say that Simeon was old, but I’ve always pictured him that way.  He indicates he is now ready to die and his happy that he can do so in peace, having finally seen Jesus, the child of promise.

I admire the old guy.  His perseverance and faith are worth imitating.  How often are we tempted to give up when we are simply tired of waiting.  The enemy attacks people in their maturity the way a lion might look for a antelope lagging behind the herd. 

But not Simeon.  He was righteous, devout, sensitive to the Spirit’s leading and waiting.  Mostly waiting by this time I would guess.  He knew how to express his faith by his faithfulness.

The thing about perseverance and faith like this is that it is acquired by not giving up.  Does that sound simplistic? Maybe so, but it is not simple.  In fact, it can be hard.  Giving up is relatively easy – you just stop trying.  

But not Simeon.  I pray and commit to not being a quitter either, and I am praying that right now for you.  Like Simeon, the old man at the temple, we should each aspire to someday being that old man or woman in the church.

 

Luke 1 – Verse by Verse

Posted on by
Reply

Photo for Luke

Luke approached the writing of his Gospel like a historian, doing research and seeking out sources.  He begins his story with two supernatural births, first of John the Baptist and then of Jesus Christ.

Luke 01.pdf

Luke 01.mp3

A Prayer Prompted by Luke 1:1-4

Posted on by
Reply

Heavenly Father,

We have repeatedly asked you to teach us from your word and we are asking that again right now. We want to be certain of the things we have been taught.

We pray that you would take the words of this Gospel of Luke and write them upon our hearts. We want to know Jesus better, love him more and serve him more faithfully than ever.

In so doing we want to increase our love for you.

Make us lovers of God in the truest and deepest sense.

In Christ,

Amen.

Certainty concerning our faith – Luke 1:1-4

Posted on by
Reply

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

Luke is writing as a historian who wants Theophilus to have certainty concerning his faith.  Many have heard of Christ indirectly or unclearly from a long distance.  Luke is giving us a detailed historical account. 

This is not a once upon a time fairy tale.  It does not take place long, long ago, in a galaxy far, far away.  At the time Luke was writing, it was maybe thirty years from the death and resurrection of Jesus.  He was using material he had researched and compiled for years before that.  We are confronted with a story that takes place in known places involving people that could still report as eyewitnesses.

Given all of that, one interesting thing is that as we begin to read, there is no shortage of supernatural activity.  The very first chapter of Luke records two supernatural births, of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ – who was in fact born of a virgin.  These are amazing stories that deserve a careful retelling.

As we go through this Gospel together, let’s be open to the facts as Luke has received them.  He is simply reporting what others have seen and heard.  He is taking them at their word and we should likewise take Luke at his word.

This is a Gospel that gained respect and popularity from the earliest days of the church.  If we want to be certain concerning the things we have been taught about Jesus, Luke’s Gospel is a great place to start.