Our View of Things is Pretty Small
We get pretty comfortable in our own perspectives. Even when we see amazing miracles we tend to not give them their full worth.
In Luke 2:25-35 Mary and Joseph took Jesus to be consecrated as per the Law of Moses.
Simeon was a good man who loved God. God’s Spirit had come to him and told him that he would not die until he had seen Christ the Lord.
When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple, the Spirit told Simeon to go into the temple. Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms and praised God,
29 “Lord, I am your servant,
and now I can die in peace,
because you have kept
your promise to me.
30 With my own eyes I have seen
what you have done
to save your people,
31 and foreign nations
will also see this.
32 Your mighty power is a light
for all nations,
and it will bring honor
to your people Israel.”
33 Jesus’ parents were surprised at what Simeon had said.
How is it that what Simeon said surprised them? Hadn’t they both been visited by angels? Didn’t they experience Mary giving birth to God?
We think we know so much, until we realize we don’t. If we believe the Bible we shouldn’t be surprised…yet we are.
Mary knew she was giving birth to the baby Jesus. So why was she surprised by what Simeon said?
Part of our discussion in Sunday School was about the song, Mary Did You Know? I don’t think there is any doubt that Mary knew. Yet she was surprised by Simeon.
I think we tend to limit our perspectives and understanding.
I think this is what the song is saying. Yes she knew that she was giving birth to Jesus, but at His birth she didn’t know what was coming.
I think this is the point of the song –
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This child that you’ve delivered
Will soon deliver you
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will calm a storm with His hand?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod?
When you kissed your little baby
You’ve kissed the face of God
The blind will see, the deaf will hear
And the dead will live again
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy
Is Heaven’s perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you’re holding
Is the great ‘I Am’
We think we know so much, yet we are constantly being surprised. We need to be open to the surprises and not limit what God can and will do.
Here’s an interview with the two men who wrote Mary Did You Know?