2 February 2022
By Rev Dr Kenneth Mtata
Today’s readings:
• Malachi 3:1-4
• Psalm 84
• Hebrews 2:14-18
• Luke 2:22-40
Verses of the day:
“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.” … “There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day”. (Luke 2;25, 36, 37)
After Jesus had been born, he was presented to the temple according to the Jewish customs. There were two ministers or servants of God who had been waiting for the coming of the Messiah. One was the Priest Simeon, and the other was Anna, the Prophetess. In the bible, these two ministries, the Priesthood and the Prophetic ministries had a huge bearing in shaping the destinies of individuals and nations. What kind of ministries are they?
The priestly ministry offered services and sacrifices to God for the “atonement for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17) while the prophetic ministry called people to repentance and forgiveness. The priestly ministry did something on behalf of the people while the prophet demanded something from them.
Healthy discipleship must experience God in his priestly and prophetic communication. It must disclose as God compassionate and merciful as well as one who demands justice and judge sin. It is both the ministries that anticipated and received Jesus as the Messiah of Israel. It is both ministries that will transform God’s people into shapers of destinies.
Prayer,
Our great priest and prophet, Jesus Christ, help us to receive your ministry of grace and law, so that we are both compassionate without being compromising. In your name we pray. AMEN
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