Paying Attention to Jesus in our Midst

A post on facebook reminded me this week of a tiny story that gets little airtime in Jesus’ infancy narrative. Tucked in after the shepherds and angels in Luke 2 is verse 21 where, according to Jewish custom, eight days after birth Jesus was circumcised and officially given the name received by Mary from Gabriel. In verse 22 and on, Jesus is presented to the Lord in Jerusalem at the temple, again following Jewish Law, and either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons were offered as a sacrifice.

The fact that Mary and Joseph remained obedient to these rites and rules, knowing Who their child was, is mindboggling enough for me. But the rest of the story really gets my attention. God is moving in a big way. Simeon, a devout and elderly Jew, has received the message that he will not die until he has seen the Messiah with his own eyes. This particular day, he senses that he needs to be at the temple. The Holy Spirit guides him and he sees Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus and he raises his arms over his head in praise that the promise has been fulfilled. He somehow knows and believes completely that this particular baby is the Messiah.

Imagine the surprise on Mary and Joseph’s faces at his response and his blessing and prophecy for them of what is to come. A fellow prophet, Anna, an elderly widow who never left the temple, notices what is happening. She comes over to join in praise to God and starts to talk about this child who will redeem all of Jerusalem. I’m sure that both Simeon and Anna not only shook up Mary and Joseph but also everyone in earshot. It may have been hoped to be a quiet ceremony for Jesus, but that was not in the plans.

There is so much to unpack here, and I’ll try to touch on a few points to ponder in this fresh, New Year:

1. The church is one of very few places left where all generations gather and where the elderly and the young and the in between find a place. Sadly, this is not always the case. Our surrounding culture can thwart healthy inter-generational relations, respect for the rich gifts present among all ages, and the wisdom and experience of our sage prophets. What would happen if we paid more real attention to those who have spent their lives living in the pews, devoting themselves to God? Every congregation has tremendous role models of faith, strong and stalwart believers who exemplify absolute trust in God. In what ways can we bridge age groups and listen carefully before these rocks of the faith are no longer physically among us?

2. Both Simeon and Anna saw the coming of Christ’s redemption a long way off and trusted in it, knowing God had given them peace. They had complete trust in the fulfilment of this long-ago dream, in God’s perfect timing, in a sure outcome, and absolute faithfulness to follow their God no matter how bad things got around them. They had been watching for a very long time, and their faith and patience were rewarded in God arranging them to see Jesus on the same day in the holiest of places – the temple. How would worship and educational programs be different if we modeled an expectation of God fulfilling all God’s promises? of God showing up in big and small ways that we can notice if we’re paying attention? of God’s great care and grace to us individually as we seek the holy in our midst? Do we really expect to be changed and to experience the still small voice or the miraculous or anything in between at church?

3. Seeing the Christ Child signalled an end of sorts – an end of the search, dismissing of a faithful servant, the beginning of not just a revelation to Jews but also to Gentiles, and the salvation of the world. It also signalled a beginning that brought so much joy and excitement. And yet, I wonder how many people that day in the temple thought it was just some drunk or ecstatic people and had no idea of the Christ Child’s presence right under their noses. This is also a new beginning for us if we seize the opportunity to be rejuvenated by Jesus, if we look carefully around us to see evidence of Him in our midst – in the faces of learners and leaders, in the Words spoken and deeds of love shown. All of this was inspired by God’s love and grace and needs to be noticed and celebrated, praised and multiplied to everyone who will hear.

We are so privileged to be offered glimpses of the baby Jesus and the child Jesus and the growing up Jesus in all the children and youth and adults around us. If we look carefully, we can see Christ in all of them. And as we stake out our space in our homes and churches, answering the call to continually listen to God’s Words and trusting in God’s goodness and promises, we can find the same peace and assurance that Simeon and Anna found.

May you find that assurance in 2017 and share it with all who are looking for Christ in you!