Verses 1-7
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Christ came humbly, and even in His birth the world did not make room for Him. “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11).
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Always leave room for Christ in your life. In other words, don't fill up your time with meaningless things, so that there isn't room for you to do what matters—to read your Bible, to pray, to serve others, etc.
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Verses 8-20
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Notice the message of the angels: “I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people...Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
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The coming of Christ meant joy for all people because through Christ we have peace with God. Christ brings us peace with God. And when we have peace with God, we have great joy (Romans 5:1-2)!
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If you don't have much joy in your life, look into what Christ has done for your relationship with God. Do you know that you have peace with God? If not, look into this truth, and it will bring you joy!
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Peace with God is available to anyone who will receive Christ!
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Verses 21-24
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From the beginning of His earthly life, even as a baby, Jesus kept the law of God perfectly. He did everything that sinful humans have to do, even though He was without sin. He did this for our benefit.
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Remember that, from infancy to adulthood to the cross, Jesus lived a perfect life, so that He could earn the salvation that is freely given to us. Thank Him for His obedience because without Him, we would be hopeless!
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Jesus was not only the firstborn of Mary, but He is “the firstborn over all creation” (Colossians 1:15)—the first human to be born as the Son of God, so that we might become sons of God.
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Jesus here is revealed as One who is truly holy to the Lord and set apart.
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Verses 25-32
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Notice first how the Holy Spirit, who was upon Simeon, had told him about the coming of Christ, and how he “came by the Spirit into the temple” at the exact time that he would be able to see Jesus.
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Remember that, as a believer, you have the Holy Spirit; and the Spirit can lead you to situations that are important for you to experience (Matthew 4:1).
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Grow in hearing from the Spirit and you too can be led like this.
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Verses 29-32. Simeon was able to have peace in his death because he knew that Christ—and through Him salvation for the whole world—had come.
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You also can have peace and not fear death because Christ has come. If you struggle to have peace, focus on what it truly means that Christ has come. This will help center your mind that greatest source of peace!
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Verses 33-35
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The teaching of Christ offends some, and drives them further away from God, and it attracts others, drawing them closer to God.
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Christ caused many of the Jews, especially the Pharisees (who thought they knew God), to fall, and others He caused to believe and be saved (1 Peter 2:6-8, 1 Corinthians 1:23).
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We know a person's heart, whether they are for or against God, based on how they react to Jesus (John 5:23, 38-43).
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He who rejects Jesus is rejecting God. So it is good that the teaching of Christ causes many to fall. It exposes the truth about people—whether they are close to the kingdom of God or not.
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Do not think that a person is seeking God if they reject Jesus.
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Pay attention to those who respond favorably to Jesus. You will often have a greater chance of being able to help them.
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Verse 35. Notice that Mary herself would experience some pain, being Jesus' mother and having to experience seeing her Son die on a cross.
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Even as a believer, understand that your relationship with Christ will cause you some pain in this world. The world will hate you for your faith in Jesus. Accept this pain, and know that it is good!
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Verses 36-38
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If you're an older woman, or a widow, and you do not wish to marry again, it is a great honor to devote yourself to prayer.
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If being single and older has given you more time, use more time for fasting and prayer! This is an awesome task!
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Verses 39-52
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Jesus' grew physically, as every person does, but He also grew spiritually. He became strong in spirit.
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As a boy, even when He was found without His parents, He focused on learning the Word of God. He was always found doing what God wanted Him to do. This caused rapid growth.
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Overall, give attention to growing strong in spirit, not just in body. Seek understanding in God's Word, and grow in obedience to the Word.
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Verse 46. Like Jesus, ask lots of questions about the Word to people that you know are wise in God's Word. This will also help you grow.
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This will add more of God's grace to you—which is power for a life serving Him.
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Verse 51. Notice also that Jesus was submitted to His earthly parents Even though He knew He was the Son of God, he obeyed Mary and Joseph.
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Even though you follow God, be like Jesus and honor your authorities and your parents.
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