Sometimes I will hear people say that the Bible is God's instruction manual. I agree. I've read it through and through - over and over again. Each time I gain more insight and wisdom that I didn't have before. The process has helped me become a better husband, a better father, and just a better man. Many times, though, the wisdom in there didn't make sense to me right away. There were times, like Mary and Joseph, I just needed to do what it said even if it didn't make sense.
At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah. (Luke 2:25-26 NLT)
Joseph and Mary were fulfilling the Law of Moses by taking Jesus to the temple. This purification ceremony was one of many ceremonies and rites they would be doing as a family. Whether they understood the implications of circumcision, purification ceremonies, and annual festivals or not we don't know. They wanted to walk together with God, though, and the Old Testament gave them these instructions. They were faithful to God as revealed to them through Scripture. This much we do know.
That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, "Sovereign Lord, now let Your servant die in peace, as You have promised. I have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and He is the glory of Your people Israel!" Jesus' parents were amazed at what was being said about Him. (Luke 2:27-33 NLT)
Sometimes we take steps of faith not really understanding the implications of these steps. We are simply faithful to God's instructions. In my experience, God often helps us see more of the reason once we are faithful. Some things aren't as effectively communicated with words. You just have to be there. We can't "be there" unless we are faithful to the part we know.
Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby's mother, "This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but He will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose Him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul." Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem. (Luke 2:34-38 NLT)
I heard a senior saint once say why he went to church services every weekend. He had read his Bible many times. He knew all the words to the worship songs and probably already knew everything the preacher would bring from the Scriptures that day. Why did he go, then? "I don't know who God will bring for me to bless that day. I also don't know who God will use to bless me." He was being faithful to what he did know, expecting God to take care of the part he didn't know.
When Jesus' parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. (Luke 2:39 NLT)
How about you? Are you faithful to the parts you do know? Do you continue to learn more parts from God's Word: the Bible? Do you see more of the picture when you are faithful?
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