Reconcilable Differences

Rev. Andrew Prin
February 2, 2020

GodSpeak for the Week of February 2

In the wake of Kobe Bryant’s untimely death last week, we pause this week to consider an insightful comment made by Jalen Rose about…reconciliation.

The balance of this week’s lessons (i.e., the First and Gospel) center on the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple.

Consider this – as we often point out, names (whether Hebrew or Greek) often bear much meaning and offer deeper insight into what God is doing in any Bible story.
- That said, note that the Hebrew name “Elkanah” means “God has possessed” or “God has created”.
Answer this – how does Elkanah act in a way that fits his name in this passage?

Consider this – similar to Day 1’s devotion, the Hebrew name “Hannah” bears a lot of meaning to this story, as well.
- “Hannah” means “grace”.
Answer this – how does Hannah act in a gracious way towards God in this story? How does God act in a similar and superior way towards US in the rest of the biblical story?
- Are there other places in Scripture where people act in Hannah-like/gracious ways?

Day 3…Read Luke 2:22-24

Consider this – following the customs and requirements of God’s Law, Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the Temple to present Him…to which Luke notes: “…(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord.’”)”
- Note that we in English conflate into the one word “consecrate” – in Greek that is a three word phrase “shall be called holy to the Lord”.
Answer this – what does it mean that Jesus was “called holy to the Lord”?
- How are our children “called holy to the Lord” now? What do we do as parents/grandparents to KEEP them holy to the Lord?

Day 4…Read Luke 2:25-32

Consider this – in this passage we again run across a name which is most enlightening…from Greek ”Simeon” means “harkening”.
Answer this – how has Simeon lived out his name up to this point in the story? How does he live out his name as the rest of this story unfolds?

Consider this – the Greek word Paul uses in this verse for “put on” carries the connotation of “sinking into” that article of clothing (think about how you feel when you put on a favorite robe or sweatshirt, here).
Answer this – given that, what does it (or, can it) look like for you to “sink into” Godly traits like: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience?

Consider this – the Greek phrase Paul writes “bear with” carries the idea of literally “holding up” someone with “calm composure”.
Consider this – in immediate hours after reports of Kobe Bryant’s death surfaced, Jalen Rose was interviewed on ESPN/ABC.
- While many were noting/celebrating Bryant’s accomplishments (as did Rose), he eventually switched his comments noting: “And if there’s people in your life that you have strained relations with (he then spoke of the estrangement he’d had to his own father)…to have that opportunity to release that energy and that negativity on my heart and that anxiety – I just want to implore everybody that can hear my voice – if you have that opportunity to do that in your life with friends and family; take that opportunity, because um…life is clearly way too short.”
Answer this – compare Paul’s words to Jalen Rose’s. Given what Rose said, what has it looked like (or, what could it look like) in real life to “hold up” with “calm composure” someone who has hurt you or to whom you’re estranged?
- How have you been “estranged” from the Lord? How has He “beared with you”?