{{2014_12_23_t1.jpg}} {{2014_12_23_t2.jpg}} {{2014_12_23_t3.jpg}} [[http://www.jesusnetwork.eu/de/doku.php/jn_de_2014_12_23|Deutsche Version]] [[Start|| Wiki Start]] [[topics_collection_vi|| Topics Collection vi ]] ======God's Salvation ...====== Tuesday, Dec 23, 2014. Often, the Christmas story is read according to Luke, chapter 2. But there is a lot written in Luke which is not read - just because long texts do not fit our worship service formats today. So let us look into these, they comment on the events and give further insight into what happens here with Jesus! {{2014_12_23.jpg }} **Prophecies about Jesus ...** When Jesus was dedicated to the temple after about one week, we read about two prophets telling about him and his special role. We read the gospel of Luke: 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.” 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” 36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2) We hear about two old prophets, Simeon and Anna, here. {{ 2014_12_23_2.jpg}} **God speaking ...** > What is it, that captures your own ears and eyes when you read these texts? Is it the age of the two prophets, who were quite old indeed? Or is it their expectation of their own death - after they saw the Christ? Is it their expectation - they have been waiting to see this child for so long! Or is it the question, where they get their knowledge from? How does the Holy Spirit speak to them? It is not explained here - it is just stated! To me one think sprang into my attention first this morning. It is just a tiny detail, but it is speaking to me a lot! There is the age of these two - in particular of the widow Anna. How many old people do we have, who feel useless. How many old people do we have who do not know how to contribute to the community in a reasonable way. How many people have given up themselves, since they have become old! But here we see how strongly God uses these two. They confirm the mission and role of Jesus, and contribute in a unique and extremely important way to his life, and to the spread of his gospel. There is a second point which is very important. God confirms the role of Jesus by a man and a woman. God created mankind in man and woman. And both of them become one when they marry. We have often taken the later words of the apostle Paul to create special roles of men and women - but God has always used both of them, in fantastic ways, to work with us humans. Here we find the prophetess - and later he will use women as the first humans to spread the news about his resurrection! It is an invitation to us to work together, to stay together in Christ, and to fully live and communicate the salvation, which God has created and is creating for us in and through Jesus. (RWEP) [[http://www.jesusnetwork.eu/en/doku.php/topics_collection_vi|... more texts]]