[Featured image from faithgateway.com]
Scripture Reading
Luke 2:22-35, 39-40
2:22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
2:23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”),
2:24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
2:25 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.
2:26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
2:27 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,
2:28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
2:29 “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word;
2:30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
2:31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
2:32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
2:33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.
2:34 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
2:35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed–and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
2:39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
2:40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Reflections
Imagine for a moment being placed in Simeon’s shoes and being told that you were not going to die until you have laid your eyes on the coming messiah. It such an amazing moment because here we see an Old Testament prophecy coming to full life. This man lived in the Old Testament times and was told about seeing the Messiah. Imagine the joy and excitement he must have felt at finally being able to see the actual Saviour of this world! This passage speaks to God’s full and complete sovereignty and that His word holds undeniable truth.
It is amazing to witness Simeon’s display of worship and joy at the site of seeing Jesus. In verse 29-30 we see him full of contentment and is happily ready to leave this earth after seeing the saviour. He literally saw the answer to salvation right before his very eyes.
Even in the form of a baby, Jesus Christ’s Glory was being put on full display for all to see. His presence would bring good news and a sense of hope but it would leave one with a choice to either accept or reject Him.
What reasons do you have today to celebrate? What gives you true joy and happiness? Like Simeon I strive to share in that same joy at the thought of one day seeing my saviour. Jesus Christ came on this earth to die and save us from our sins. He chose to die a painful and horrific death all so that we might live. Let us choose to accept Christ and celebrate all that He’s done for us.
It is interesting that it was the Spirit that lead Simeon to the temple to meet Jesus. We tend to think of the Spirit as a post-ressurection movement but the Spirit has been at work since the beginning of time.
It was the spirit that hovered over the waters of creation. It was the Spirit that empowered the builders of the Tabernacle. It was the Spirit that empowered the Judges in ancient Israel. It was the Spirit that filled Saul and enabled him to prophesy. In the passage above it was again the Spirit that lead Simeon to the Lord. The spirit has been at work among us since the beginning of time.
Yet we live in a time now where the spirit is not just empowering a select few people to do Gods work. The Spirit dwells in all of us, all the time, and we have all the same Spirit in us that enabled Samson to slay a lion and the prophets to move the heart of a nation. The question is whether or not we are walking in the Spirit or in the flesh.
Let us always try to walk in the Spirit and not in our own flesh, so we can bring glory to God everywhere we go.