Reading Plan:
Luke 2:21-40

Our Thoughts:
A while back, my mother and I were on our way to an appointment with a doctor, a much-beloved physician who cared for four generations of my family from my grandmother to my son. For over 40 years, we drove the same route together, took the same streets, no shortcuts, no veering off the familiar paths, but this day, we were so busy chatting, I looked up and realized I was on a road I had never traveled. I made a left here, a right there, much too anxious and proud to ask Siri or OnStar for help. Minutes went by, an hour went by, and we were still hopelessly lost on the back avenues of East Hattiesburg. We missed the appointment we had waited three months for, and we would have to wait another three months before we could see our doctor. It didn’t matter how close we were to the doctor’s office or how long we had known the physician inside; distraction, pride, and anxiety caused us to miss the long-awaited appointment.

In Luke 2:21-40, Mary and Joseph traveled to the temple eight days after giving birth in a stable to present Jesus to the Lord and offer a sacrifice under the Law. Thousands of people, including locals and travelers from distant cities, came to celebrate the Feast of Trumpets at the temple. At 75% capacity during the feast and festival seasons, the temple could accommodate up to 100,000 worshipers. Amid this large crowd, we learn of only two people who saw and worshipped Jesus as the Savior.
Simeon had long anticipated the day he would see the Messiah. He had waited on the Lord and listened to the Holy Spirit—which led him to Jesus in the temple that day. Through the masses of temple-goers, Simeon finds the Promised Savior, wrapped in His mother’s embrace. With love and excitement, Simeon lifts Jesus in his arms and praises God. Immediately after this sweet exchange of worship, Anna, a widow and sincere servant of God, began to thank God and tell everyone who would listen about Jesus. We see Simeon and Anna’s devotion to God and their love for Jesus. It would have been easy to miss the Holy Family in such a large temple crowd, but even in the noise and commotion, Simeon and Anna had their eyes fixed on God’s promises.

The high priest who received Jesus in the temple, who heard his name, and recorded his birth; the priest who accepted and burned their offering of two pigeons; the physician or midwife who performed Jesus’ circumcision were all much closer to Jesus than Simeon or Anna and missed the eternal significance of the infant in their company. It is hard to imagine how any of them could have missed what they had waited four hundred years to see.
At the time of Jesus’s birth, Roman occupation threatened the religious and personal freedoms of the Jewish people, and there was constant pressure to worship false gods. Religious and political factions like the Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, and Zealots distracted temple-goers with confusion and persistent noise. Even everyday responsibilities could cause indifference and distraction. Plus, a more frightening thought: what if God’s people were getting tired in the waiting and were losing hope. Does any of this feel familiar?

Are we missing Jesus during this modern-day Feast of Trumpets? Are we so busy with travel arrangements, Christmas lists, and the perfect family photo that Christmas is more about the pressure of keeping up with the holiday culture? Are we overlooking the truth that Jesus lowered himself to be fully God and fully human for all mankind? Are we distracted and numbed by worldly noise, or are we growing tired in the waiting? Don't miss the reason for celebrating this season, but also, like Simeon and Anna, don't miss the opportunity to see Jesus, worship the Savior, and devote our days to making Him known until Christ returns.

When my mother and I were searching for the way to the doctor’s office, the easiest solution would have been to stop and ask for help. If you find yourself off course in life or your faith, Venture Church would love the chance to talk, pray, and help you find your next step. What is your next step of faith? Are you missing biblical community or opportunities to serve others? Are you missing openings to invite and share your faith? Are you missing a personal relationship with Jesus? Don’t let distractions, pride, anxiety, or anything else cause you to miss what God has for you today. Don’t miss Jesus.


More Questions:
• What distractions can cause us to miss the things of God?
• Read Luke 2:25-28. How do Simeon and Anna demonstrate how to live, serve, and worship well?
• Which of God’s promises can you fix your eyes on when the world distracts you?
• What steps do you need to take in your faith journey? Contact your House Church Pastor or email us at hello@venturechurch.org if you would like to talk with someone at Venture Church about your next steps.

Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son, Jesus. Thank you for examples of faithfulness in Your Word. I don’t want to miss You in the busyness or routine. Lord, open my eyes to who You are and what You are doing all around me. Help me to understand the next steps of faith You are calling me to. I love You and praise You for who You are, what You have done, and what You will do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Author: Nikki Payton with Amy Fontenot