2026 Epiphany Devotions
Monday, February 2
The Presentation of Our Lord
Luke 2:22-40
22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, [Mary and Joseph] brought [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
25 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. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided 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, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
29 “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word,
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then 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 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul, too.”
36 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, 37 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. 38 At that moment she came and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
“… 38 At that moment she came and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. …”
Anna exalts Jesus as the source of redemption for Israel. He is their hope and their shield. He is that for us as well.
Both Simeon and Anna both proclaim Jesus as the redeemer. He is the One God sent to deliver God’s people from oppression, hopelessness, and despair. He will set them free from bondage and offer hope and peace. His coming will change everything – the falling and rising of many in in Israel, as Simeon himself says.
At this time, in our own nation, caught in the midst of chaos in the streets, anxiety in the home, and uncertainty across the board, the hope and peace offered by Anna and Simeon are needed. As it was two thousand years ago, we struggle every day to find freedom from bondage to the daily news cycle. We long for a measure of stability in society. We look for a time of peace.
The One acclaimed as Redeemer – Jesus, our Lord – gives us freedom, offers us stability, provides us peace. It doesn’t come from society, government, or the news, but from the Lord of heaven and earth through God’s Son and the Holy Spirit. As it was then, so too it is now: The Lord is hope and our shield.
Prayer: Come, Lord Jesus, and fill us with Your hope and Your peace. Be our shield and protector, and deliver us this day from oppression, hopelessness and despair. Amen.