And
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 (as it is written
in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called
holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in
the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now
there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous
and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon
him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not
see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit
into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him
according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and
blessed God and said,
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in
peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
And
his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon
blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for
the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and
a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many
hearts may be revealed.”
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:22-38 ESV) [1]
Anna and Simeon saw Jesus, and they believed. After Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to His followers, but His disciple, Thomas, was not there. Thomas refused to believe until he saw the Lord himself and could touch Him. Jesus gave Thomas the opportunity to do so, and then Thomas believed. Then, Jesus blessed us who have not seen Him, and yet believe.
Now
Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus
came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he
said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my
finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will
never believe.”
Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:24-29 ESV) [2]
Anna, Thomas, and Simeon
saw and believed. Be blessed of the Lord
because you have not seen, and yet have believed.
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