Jesus Presented at the Temple - Luke 2:21-38

When Jesus was brought to the temple for purification, two old people, Simeon and Anna, came to bless and prophesize about the child - Jesus as the light and the redemption of the world. 

Why do good people suffer? Two main reasons. One is that they may lack wisdom and make the wrong choices. The other is that this is a fallen world. The righteous will expose the badness of others. Here we find Simeon prophesized that Jesus would be opposed or Jesus would bring disputes. (Luke 12:51 says, "Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division".)

Lessons:

1. People will be willing to depart after their wishes have been fulfilled like Simon.
2. God will take care of us even when life seems bad to others like Anna (widow after 7 years and yet live older than 84 years old)
3. Both prophesized about the mission of Jesus - Our Salvation at His cost/cross. Would you like to accept Jesus as Savior?
4. As this is a fallen world, the light that shines in darkness will invite opposition and persecution from the other sides.
5. Learn from the challenges we face in life and come out better because God's grace is with us.
   Read James Allen's "As A Man Thinketh" especially Chapter 2.

Lim Liat (2) 15 Jan 2024