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The Story of Jesus
(
1 Corinthians 5:7
.) By His blood, through faith, we are redeemed.
(
Ephesians 1:7
.)
So as each family in Israel brought the eldest son to the temple,
they were to remember how the children had been saved from the
plague, and how all might be saved from sin and eternal death. The
child presented at the temple was taken in the arms of the priest, and
held up before the altar.
Thus it was solemnly dedicated to God. Then after it was given
back to the mother, its name was written in the roll, or book, that
contained the names of the first-born of Israel. So all who are saved
by Christ’s blood will have their names written in the book of life.
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Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the priest as the law required.
Every day fathers and mothers were coming with their children, and
in Joseph and Mary the priest saw nothing different from many others.
They were simply working people.
In the child Jesus he saw only a helpless infant. Little did the priest
think that he was then holding in his arms the Saviour of the world,
the High Priest of the heavenly temple. But he might have known; for
if he had been obedient to God’s Word, the Lord would have taught
him these things.
At this very time there were in the temple two of God’s true ser-
vants, Simeon and Anna. Both had grown old in His service, and He
showed them things that could not be made known to the proud and
selfish priests.
To Simeon had been given the promise that he should not die until
he had seen the Saviour. As soon as he saw Jesus in the temple, he
knew that this was the promised One.
Upon the face of Jesus there was a soft, heavenly light; and Simeon,
taking the child in his arms, praised God, and 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.”
Luke 2:29-32
.
Anna, a prophetess, “coming in that instant gave thanks likewise
unto the Lord, and spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption
in Jerusalem.”
Luke 2:38
.
So it is that God chooses humble people to be His witnesses. Often
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