Aloha Friday Message – January 31, 2025 – Step Up and Stand Out
January 31, 2025
2505AFC013125 – Step Up and Stand Out 😀 ← PODCAST LINK
Read it online here, please. And please – when you visit there – use one of the social media links at the bottom of the page to share this post. Thank you! And remember, we now have a READER VIEW available, so share this link or this email often. Do you know someone who enjoys Bible study, or who might like to read this? Ask them to email us or to subscribe on our blog-site.
Luke 2:29-32 – Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
(↨ Music Link – let your servant go in peace)
Aloha nui loa, ʻŌmea! ¡Que la bendición esté siempre con ustedes y que Dios los bendiga, Amados! (May blessing always be with you and may God bless you, Belovéd!) Let the Peace of Christ Rule in Our Hearts! (↔ Music Link) Today’s Key Verse is one of the most beautiful prayers in the New Testament. It is the prayer of Simeon. Luke tells us (beginning at Luke 2:25 – 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God …
Presentation of The Lord
We see that Simeon, in Hebrew “Shimown” [shim-one’} a name that means “hearing,” is a “righteous and devout man.” He was careful about observing divine laws, a virtuous man who faithfully and consistently kept God’s commandments. He was a pious man who took care to reverence God and the Temple in Jerusalem. Most importantly we are told, “The Holy Spirit rested on him.” Like the Old Testament prophets, he was “enveloped” in the Holy Spirit – remember how we discussed that when David was anointed King by Samuel, “the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward.” (See 1 Samuel 16:13) This is how the presence of the Holy Spirit is described in the Old Testament prophecies; the Holy Spirit “rushed upon” the Prophet and helped them or led them to do a specific task. After Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit at the first Pentecost, we know the Holy Spirit dwells within us – permanently!
Simeon had been waiting for “the consolation of Israel” – the coming of the Messiah. Walking in, and led by, the Spirit, Simeon glimpses Joseph, Jesus, and Mary. In his heart and mind, the Holy Spirit reveals that the child with this couple is indeed “the Holy One of Israel.” Rejoicing in the Spirit, he gives us the canticle (song) that confirms God’s promise that Simeon would not die until he had seen the Messiah. He takes the child in his arms, and speaks as the Holy Spirit directs prophesying that Jesus is the “consolation of Israel,” and later he tells Jesus’ Blesséd Mother Mary that she will suffer great anguish as her son fulfills his mission. This is followed by statements from the prophetess Anna who tells everyone who is nearby that this child will be a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy that “… the LORD has comforted his people, has redeemed Jerusalem.” (See Isaiah 52:9) All of these people are present in this scene because Mary and Joseph are following the prescription of the law. That prescription portrays this little family as devout, faithful Jews who rightly were faithful to the Law set down by God through Moses. Please see Leviticus 12:2-8 for the full description of these requirements. There you will see that there were very specific instructions provided for new parents. Today, we focus on two principal themes in Scripture – Obedience and Blessing. We will look first at The Holy Family and this encounter in the temple, and then we will hear about Nahshon, our “person of the week.”
Let’s recap the timeline a little. Luke 2:21-24 – Jesus Is Named21 After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Jesus Is Presented in the Temple22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” We recall the word of Exodus 13:2 – 2 Consecrate to me all the firstborn; whatever is the first to open the womb among the Israelites, of human beings and animals, is mine. And also Numbers 6:10 and Leviticus 15:14 – 14 On the eighth day he shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons and come before the Lord to the entrance of the tent of meeting and give them to the priest. This is the “legal remedy” for purifying a person after becoming ceremonially unclean – that is, unable to participate in or touch anything that is Holy.
The remedy for a woman after giving birth is spelled out in Leviticus 12. In that passage, a woman is unclean for 40 days after the birth of a male child and 80 days after the birth of a female child. The purification requires the sacrifice of “a lamb in its first year for a burnt offering, and a pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering.” At the end of that passage, there is an additional instruction for those who cannot afford to bring a lamb. We read in Leviticus 12:8 – 8 If she cannot afford a sheep, she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement on her behalf, and she shall be clean. And sot it was that that Lamb of God and his Mother were redeemed out of poverty and the status of being unclean.
In our Gospel passage for this weekend, Joseph and Mary comply with all the laws and prescriptions for a firstborn male child. They did what was right and just in the eyes of the Lord, and it was the fulfillment of righteousness. Recall that is how Jesus convinced John the Baptizer to baptize him. As a refresher, here is Matthew 3:15 – 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. The whole episode boils down to obedience. God says, “Do whatever I tell you.” Good people say “yes.” Righteous people say YES and OBEY. Joseph and Mary did that. Simeon waited until the Lord said “Look over here!” Anna obeyed when God said, “Spread the Word.” And – according to Tradition, Nashon was not only quick to obey, but also courageous. Who was this guy, and why is he important?
נַחְשׁוֹן {Nachshown} (nakh-shone’) was a leader, i.e., a Prince, of the Tribe of Judah. We must remember that the word Judah means Praise, and God told Moses to always “Let Praise go up first.” When Israel was finally able to enter into the Promised Land. Judah went first, and Nashon led them in (more on that shortly. He was the first to make an offering for the dedication of the Tabernacle. He was one of the 70 Elders to whom God gave a portion of his Sh’khinah Glory which he had poured out on Moses: Numbers 11:17 – [God told Moses] 17 I will come down and talk with you there; and I will take some of the spirit that is on you and put it on them; and they shall bear the burden of the people along with you so that you will not bear it all by yourself. He was a courageous, Holy leader who led by example. He was also a brother-in-law to Aaron (Moses’ brother, and the first High Priest) who married his sister, Elisheva. He was a descendant of Jacob’s son Judah. As such, he is listed in the genealogies of Jesus in Ruth 4:18-22, Matthew 1, and Luke 3:23-38 (↔ Learning Links). We’ve all heard his name in those readings, but probably never given it a second thought (which is why I picked him for today!)
There’s a famous story (↔ Learning Link) about him in Jewish homiletical (Rabbinical teachings) literature. When it came time to cross the Red Sea (or Sea of Reeds), the waters were still raging and waves splashing. Moses had told them God would have them cross at that shore. Everyone hesitated to step up and step out into the Sea … every except Nahshon. According to the Midrash (↔ VERY COOL Learning Link), Nahshon dove into the water because he was certain God’s plan would be revealed. At that act of Faith, the Lord told Moses to stretch his arm hold his staff over the Sea and then God divided tha water to Israel cross over on dry land (and none of Pharoah’s army, or chariots, or charioteers ever got out of the water after the Sea closed).
Nashon always stepped up and stood out because he always had faith in God. God had personally anointed him with the Glory of God. Simeon was described as “this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him.” With God, there are no coincidences, so it is no surprise that his Holy Spirit was paramount in their lives, and that Simeon stepped up and stood out for his prophetic declarations about the Infant Jesus. Same goes for the prophetess Anna. Who “never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day.” At age 84, she began to tell everyone about the wonderful baby boy she had just met. Anna stepped up and stood out as one of the very first evangelists. Mary and Joseph stepped up and stood out by saying YES to God. All of them knew in their hearts that God was asking them to take the first next-step-to-Glory (↔ Music Link) in his Absolutely Perfect Plan. And what is that next step? Why, it’s belonging to Jesus! (↔ Music Link)
And here we must all ask ourselves if our hearts are telling us to Step Up and Stand Out for the Lord. Are we really, really ready to lead by example and be the first – or the next, or even the final – witness to God’s APP in his revelation of his Only Begotten Son? Let us ask the Lord pour out his Holy Spirit on each of us and all of us across this wonderful Land that we Love (↔ Music Link). We could use a little more of HIS Holy Spirit and that good, Old-Fashioned American spirit! (↔ Music Link)
Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service, Belovéd!
2505AFC013125 – Step Up and Stand Out 😀 ← PODCAST LINK
Read it online here, please. And please – when you visit there – use one of the social media links at the bottom of the page to share this post. Thank you! And remember, we now have a READER VIEW available, so share this link or this email often. Do you know someone who enjoys Bible study, or who might like to read this? Ask them to email us or to subscribe on our blog-site.
Luke 2:29-32 – Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
(↨ Music Link – let your servant go in peace)
Aloha nui loa, ʻŌmea! ¡Que la bendición esté siempre con ustedes y que Dios los bendiga, Amados! (May blessing always be with you and may God bless you, Belovéd!) Let the Peace of Christ Rule in Our Hearts! (↔ Music Link) Today’s Key Verse is one of the most beautiful prayers in the New Testament. It is the prayer of Simeon. Luke tells us (beginning at Luke 2:25 – 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God …
Presentation of The Lord
We see that Simeon, in Hebrew “Shimown” [shim-one’} a name that means “hearing,” is a “righteous and devout man.” He was careful about observing divine laws, a virtuous man who faithfully and consistently kept God’s commandments. He was a pious man who took care to reverence God and the Temple in Jerusalem. Most importantly we are told, “The Holy Spirit rested on him.” Like the Old Testament prophets, he was “enveloped” in the Holy Spirit – remember how we discussed that when David was anointed King by Samuel, “the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward.” (See 1 Samuel 16:13) This is how the presence of the Holy Spirit is described in the Old Testament prophecies; the Holy Spirit “rushed upon” the Prophet and helped them or led them to do a specific task. After Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit at the first Pentecost, we know the Holy Spirit dwells within us – permanently!
Simeon had been waiting for “the consolation of Israel” – the coming of the Messiah. Walking in, and led by, the Spirit, Simeon glimpses Joseph, Jesus, and Mary. In his heart and mind, the Holy Spirit reveals that the child with this couple is indeed “the Holy One of Israel.” Rejoicing in the Spirit, he gives us the canticle (song) that confirms God’s promise that Simeon would not die until he had seen the Messiah. He takes the child in his arms, and speaks as the Holy Spirit directs prophesying that Jesus is the “consolation of Israel,” and later he tells Jesus’ Blesséd Mother Mary that she will suffer great anguish as her son fulfills his mission. This is followed by statements from the prophetess Anna who tells everyone who is nearby that this child will be a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy that “… the LORD has comforted his people, has redeemed Jerusalem.” (See Isaiah 52:9) All of these people are present in this scene because Mary and Joseph are following the prescription of the law. That prescription portrays this little family as devout, faithful Jews who rightly were faithful to the Law set down by God through Moses. Please see Leviticus 12:2-8 for the full description of these requirements. There you will see that there were very specific instructions provided for new parents. Today, we focus on two principal themes in Scripture – Obedience and Blessing. We will look first at The Holy Family and this encounter in the temple, and then we will hear about Nahshon, our “person of the week.”
Let’s recap the timeline a little. Luke 2:21-24 – Jesus Is Named21 After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Jesus Is Presented in the Temple22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” We recall the word of Exodus 13:2 – 2 Consecrate to me all the firstborn; whatever is the first to open the womb among the Israelites, of human beings and animals, is mine. And also Numbers 6:10 and Leviticus 15:14 – 14 On the eighth day he shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons and come before the Lord to the entrance of the tent of meeting and give them to the priest. This is the “legal remedy” for purifying a person after becoming ceremonially unclean – that is, unable to participate in or touch anything that is Holy.
The remedy for a woman after giving birth is spelled out in Leviticus 12. In that passage, a woman is unclean for 40 days after the birth of a male child and 80 days after the birth of a female child. The purification requires the sacrifice of “a lamb in its first year for a burnt offering, and a pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering.” At the end of that passage, there is an additional instruction for those who cannot afford to bring a lamb. We read in Leviticus 12:8 – 8 If she cannot afford a sheep, she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement on her behalf, and she shall be clean. And sot it was that that Lamb of God and his Mother were redeemed out of poverty and the status of being unclean.
In our Gospel passage for this weekend, Joseph and Mary comply with all the laws and prescriptions for a firstborn male child. They did what was right and just in the eyes of the Lord, and it was the fulfillment of righteousness. Recall that is how Jesus convinced John the Baptizer to baptize him. As a refresher, here is Matthew 3:15 – 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. The whole episode boils down to obedience. God says, “Do whatever I tell you.” Good people say “yes.” Righteous people say YES and OBEY. Joseph and Mary did that. Simeon waited until the Lord said “Look over here!” Anna obeyed when God said, “Spread the Word.” And – according to Tradition, Nashon was not only quick to obey, but also courageous. Who was this guy, and why is he important?
נַחְשׁוֹן {Nachshown} (nakh-shone’) was a leader, i.e., a Prince, of the Tribe of Judah. We must remember that the word Judah means Praise, and God told Moses to always “Let Praise go up first.” When Israel was finally able to enter into the Promised Land. Judah went first, and Nashon led them in (more on that shortly. He was the first to make an offering for the dedication of the Tabernacle. He was one of the 70 Elders to whom God gave a portion of his Sh’khinah Glory which he had poured out on Moses: Numbers 11:17 – [God told Moses] 17 I will come down and talk with you there; and I will take some of the spirit that is on you and put it on them; and they shall bear the burden of the people along with you so that you will not bear it all by yourself. He was a courageous, Holy leader who led by example. He was also a brother-in-law to Aaron (Moses’ brother, and the first High Priest) who married his sister, Elisheva. He was a descendant of Jacob’s son Judah. As such, he is listed in the genealogies of Jesus in Ruth 4:18-22, Matthew 1, and Luke 3:23-38 (↔ Learning Links). We’ve all heard his name in those readings, but probably never given it a second thought (which is why I picked him for today!)
There’s a famous story (↔ Learning Link) about him in Jewish homiletical (Rabbinical teachings) literature. When it came time to cross the Red Sea (or Sea of Reeds), the waters were still raging and waves splashing. Moses had told them God would have them cross at that shore. Everyone hesitated to step up and step out into the Sea … every except Nahshon. According to the Midrash (↔ VERY COOL Learning Link), Nahshon dove into the water because he was certain God’s plan would be revealed. At that act of Faith, the Lord told Moses to stretch his arm hold his staff over the Sea and then God divided tha water to Israel cross over on dry land (and none of Pharoah’s army, or chariots, or charioteers ever got out of the water after the Sea closed).
Nashon always stepped up and stood out because he always had faith in God. God had personally anointed him with the Glory of God. Simeon was described as “this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him.” With God, there are no coincidences, so it is no surprise that his Holy Spirit was paramount in their lives, and that Simeon stepped up and stood out for his prophetic declarations about the Infant Jesus. Same goes for the prophetess Anna. Who “never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day.” At age 84, she began to tell everyone about the wonderful baby boy she had just met. Anna stepped up and stood out as one of the very first evangelists. Mary and Joseph stepped up and stood out by saying YES to God. All of them knew in their hearts that God was asking them to take the first next-step-to-Glory (↔ Music Link) in his Absolutely Perfect Plan. And what is that next step? Why, it’s belonging to Jesus! (↔ Music Link)
And here we must all ask ourselves if our hearts are telling us to Step Up and Stand Out for the Lord. Are we really, really ready to lead by example and be the first – or the next, or even the final – witness to God’s APP in his revelation of his Only Begotten Son? Let us ask the Lord pour out his Holy Spirit on each of us and all of us across this wonderful Land that we Love (↔ Music Link). We could use a little more of HIS Holy Spirit and that good, Old-Fashioned American spirit! (↔ Music Link)
Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service, Belovéd!
American Roman Catholic reared as a "Baptiterian" in Denver Colorado. Now living on Kauaʻi. USAF Vet. Married for over 50 years. Scripture study has been my passion ever since my first "Bible talk" at age 6 in VBS.
Aloha Friday Messages by Charles O. Todd, III is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License
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