My Eyes Have Seen

MY EYES HAVE SEEN

a prayer to open

Open my eyes and help me to see you.

Open my heart and help me to know you.

Jesus, my Lord and my God.

The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the LORD.” So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord. . . .

At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,

as you have promised.

I have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared for all people.

He is a light to reveal God to the nations,

and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

Jesus’ parents were amazed. . . . Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. . . . She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem. . . .

They returned home to Nazareth. . . . There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him. . . .

When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the [Passover] festival as usual. After the celebration . . . they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents . . . assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him. . . .

When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”

“But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they didn’t understand what he meant.

Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.

Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.

After Mary and Joseph dedicated Jesus to God at the Temple, Jesus “grew up healthy and strong [and] filled with wisdom” (verse 40). We next see Jesus in the Temple courts, this time at age twelve. It’s hard not to focus on Mary and Joseph’s anxiety in seemingly misplacing Jesus—imagine the pressure they felt as the parents of the Savior of the world! But when we look closely, we see both Jesus’ deep connection to God the Father early in his life and the uncertainty and mystery in which his parents lived as he grew.

• What would it have been like for Mary and Joseph to hear prophetic words about their baby son or to find their twelve-year-old among the teachers in the Temple?
• Where are you experiencing more uncertainty than usual? What do you sense God inviting you to know or do?
• What does today’s passage reveal to you about Jesus?

Father, thank you for the new life you have granted me in Jesus Christ. Allow me to experience your presence today and help me demonstrate your goodness and grace to those I encounter. Give me peace and patience in uncertainty and the ability to trust that I am in your hands, carried by your love. Shape my desires so I can better follow your ways this day. Amen.