aged servants of God

Good evening brothers and sisters,

As we continue looking at aging and end of life questions we meet a great but little known character named Simeon. Simeon was an old man with a strong faith who was coming to the end of his life when Jesus was born. Notice that for Simeon, as for many older people, death is something he welcomes rather than something he fears. Often thinking about the end of life is scarier for friends and family than it is for the older person. In every season, God has new blessings for us.

God bless you today,

Sam

Luke 2:25-35

²⁵Now 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. ²⁶It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.

²⁷Guided 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, ²⁸Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, ²⁹“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; ³⁰for my eyes have seen your salvation, ³¹which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, ³²a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” 

³³And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. ³⁴Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed ³⁵so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Methusala and Noah

Good afternoon friends,
Thanks to everyone for a great meeting and congregational meeting today. Today's reading gives us Methusala, known as the oldest man ever, living to the ripe age of 969 year. We also bring this bit of genealogy to a close as we meet the main character of our next story, Noah. May God bless you as you enjoy the beautiful weather and as you begin the new week,
Sam

Genesis 5:25-32

²⁵When Methuselah had lived one hundred eighty-seven years, he became the father of Lamech. ²⁶Methuselah lived after the birth of Lamech seven hundred eighty-two years, and had other sons and daughters. ²⁷Thus all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty-nine years; and he died.

²⁸When Lamech had lived one hundred eighty-two years, he became the father of a son; ²⁹he named him Noah, saying, “Out of the ground that the Lord has cursed this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the toil of our hands.” ³⁰Lamech lived after the birth of Noah five hundred ninety-five years, and had other sons and daughters. ³¹Thus all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy-seven years; and he died. ³²After Noah was five hundred years old, Noah became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.