Theology class

Technically, we have just completed the first full week of class here at Patrick Henry College. Class began on Wednesday of last week, with the professors taking the first class period to explain course requirements and upcoming assignments. We have now started receiving actual lectures this week, which is always a real joy... after all, that is the reason why I am going to school.

Today in particular, the lecture in Theology class stood out. Dr. Cox began class with the usual barrage of of jokes and witty comments, which I and my classmates enjoy. We went over the upcoming assignments and then dove right into the lecture. Currently, we are examining the life of Christ, and we lingered over the purification of Jesus as found in Luke's account. It is Luke 2: 25-35, and it reads:

^" Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."

The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

I was particularly struck by the figure of Simeon, of whom we have no prior or further record of in Scriptures. It stands out in this passage that he was a man of God, who was walking with the Spirit daily. In fact he was so in touch with the Spirit that "it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ."

Partly, what stood out to me was just how specific his direction was from the Holy Spirit. Here was a man whose life was so thoroughly devoted to God, that his life's final major occurrence had been revealed to him. He does not appear to be a priest or someone of significance, but rather a humble man who was in awesome devotion to God. Bear in mind as well, this was prior to the day of Pentecost. Simeon was walking with the Spirit, under the direction of the Law, and yet he had an incredibly strong relationship with his God!

Many have spoken of the Bible as a storybook, that when properly read and understood paints the most vivid portrayals of life and truth. I find that to be the case here as I can so easily picture Simeon in the temple courts, holding the young baby Jesus in his feeble arms, with tears splashing down his upturned face, proclaiming peace in his life and rejoicing in his God! The reverence and joy of Simeon in the story is inspiring.

Simeon provides a demonstration for Christians, who daily ought to be rejoicing in their God and the revelation of Christ to us. Consider this: how many people walked past Joseph and Mary, who held the Lord of Creation in her arms. How many people marvelled at how cute the new born baby was.... and never saw Him as who He truly was? Yet Simeon, who was led by the Spirit, knew exactly who Jesus was. He says that his "eyes have seen your salvation." He recognized that this baby was salvation! That is only one of the many times in the life of Christ, that those around him, under the guidance of the Spirit, proclaim him to be the Savior of the world, the Son of Man, God Himself. The wondrous and equally frightening reality of this story is that God reveals Himself to those that he chooses. It was no act of Simeon that led him to the temple, nor was it his own insight into the Torah that convinced him that the coming of the Lord was near. What a testament to the mercy and love of God, who allowed this man to see the Son of God for who He was!

I will cease and desist now as I have other homework to attend to, but I desired to share those thoughts. They have already begun to work on me, and create in me a deeper craving for the Spirit of God. May God in his grace, grant to us all the privilege of seeing Jesus Christ for who He truly is today.

Prayer Requests:

-I sprained my left ankle severely last night in basketball practice. For those of you that don't know, I blew out my ankle in March of last year. This injury is the exact same; it is just refreshed. I am following RICE religiously, am on crutches, and will hopefully see a doctor later this week. I want to wait for the swelling to go down before I go whining to a doc. :) Please pray for healing and patience. I sincerely do not enjoy being in a state of relative helplessness. Pray that I may grow in my faith in God and that I will glorify Him, despite the pain.

-My brother is taking the SAT this Saturday in Kenya. Please pray for any anxiousness to be calmed and clarity of mind to be given to Daniel as he is tested. Also a high score wouldn't be a bad thing to pray for too! :)

-Pray for continued growth in Christ. He is working on my heart, and I desire and need His grace.

Feel free to post any comments or prayer requests. Unfortunately, comments left on my parents blog don't necessarily reach me. :( Mom and I are working on joining the two in a more visible way.

In Christ,

Martyn