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Joseph and Mary Dedicate Jesus
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the Bright and Morning Star. That helpless babe was the hope of
fallen humanity. He was to pay the ransom for the sins of the whole
world.
But though the priest neither saw nor felt anything unusual, this
occasion did not pass without some recognition of Christ. “There
was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, ... and the Holy
Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy
Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s
Christ.”
Venerable Simeon Recognized Jesus
As Simeon entered the temple, he was deeply impressed that the
infant being presented to the Lord was the One he had longed to see.
To the astonished priest, he appeared like a man enraptured. He took
the child in his arms, while a joy he had never before felt entered
his soul. As he lifted the infant Saviour toward heaven, he said,
“Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to
Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast
prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles,
and the glory of Thy people Israel.”
While Joseph and Mary stood by, wondering at his words, he
said to Mary, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again
of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (yea,
a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of
many hearts may be revealed.”
Also Anna, a prophetess, came in and confirmed Simeon’s tes-
timony. Her face lighted up with glory, and she poured out her
heartfelt thanks that she had been permitted to behold Christ the
Lord.
[31]
These humble worshipers had studied the prophecies. But the
rulers and priests, though they too had the precious prophecies, were
not walking in the way of the Lord, and their eyes were not open to
behold the Light of life.
So it is still. The attention of all heaven is centered on events
which are undiscerned by religious leaders. Men acknowledge Christ
in history, but Christ in the poor and suffering who plead for relief,