Seeing and Believing - Browncroft Community Church

Seeing and Believing

December 22, 2022

Rob Cattalani

Jesus grew up in a family that meticulously observed the law of Moses. Five times in this larger section of chapter 2, Luke tells us they did everything required by the law. Later in his life Jesus would be in tension with the religious leaders — not because He opposed the law, but because He opposed their hollow and flawed interpretation.

READ LUKE 2:36-40

Yesterday we met Simeon and in today’s section we find a second old prophet — Anna. Like Simeon she approached Mary and Joseph and prophesied about the birth of Jesus and what it would mean to Israel. Together they testify about who this child truly is. These two saints are Israel at its best — devout, obedient, and committed to prayer. They are also a portrait of Israel that accepted Jesus.

The many who rejected Him misunderstood their own faith and were therefore incapable of truly recognizing Jesus. The same is true for many today who get their information about Jesus and the Gospel second-hand through the media or even churches that don’t preach and teach the Bible.

The life of Jesus is in perfect harmony with God’s plan as outlined in the Old Testament. No mistakes, no contradictions — just a beautiful account of the perfect plan of God for all those who have an open heart to see and believe.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit open my eyes to the greater beauty of the Gospel today.

PRACTICE

Do some research on how many prophecies about Jesus in the Old Testament were fulfilled in the New Testament.

Photo by Gareth Harper on Unsplash

About The Author

Rob Cattalani

Pastor Rob grew up in Rochester where he came to know Christ in his first year of college. After a couple years at the Xerox Corporation he decided to pursue a Masters of Theology at Dallas Theological Seminary. Pastor Rob was a pastor in Texas for nine years and then served as a missionary in Europe for a year. He answered the call to be Browncroft’s Senior Pastor in 2005, and his favorite part of his job is teaching and preaching God’s Word.

Further reading

Don’t Miss These Upcoming Events

At Browncroft we want to help people connect with God and others in authentic relationships. We have a lot of exciting events coming up in the next several weeks we'd love to have you join us for.

Words to Live By: A Fresh Look at the Ten Commandments

We are beginning the new year with an extended study of the Ten Commandments. These words embody God’s will for human life as fully as any teaching in all of Scripture. The whole Bible reveals the meaning of the Commandments and informs us how to live, act, and think in light of them.

Christmas Is for Everyone

What I love most about Christmas music is its unerring ability to put me in the true Christmas spirit. When I listen to it, particularly the biblical songs, I’m able to just be in the moment and stop stressing about everything that needs to be done by December 24th. That’s why I’m so excited that this Sunday we are having a special Scripture and Carols service to commemorate the season.