Luke 2:25-35 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."
"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."
The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."
Joseph and Mary brought baby Jesus, just eight days old, to be circumcised in Jerusalem. They certainly had been a young couple on the go...leaving Galilee to make the 90 mile trek to Bethlehem to be registered and then going through the drama of the birth of Jesus. A short week later they moved on to Jerusalem. They must have been in great awe at all the events surrounding the arrival of their child. I think the story of Simeon is especially touching. Here was a man who followed the Holy Spirit before the Spirit was commonly available. Simeon was anticipating the arrival of the Messiah and had been shown that he'd personally see the Christ in his lifetime. So, he was prepared when Jesus came to the temple and recognized the baby as the promised savior. Can you picture him holding the tiny newborn and grasping the reality and the fulfillment of promise to himself and to all mankind! Simeon's prophetic words describing the ministry of Jesus to bring "revelation to the Gentiles" and "glory to your people Israel" are still being fulfilled today. Before we can recognize Jesus we are prepared for His arrival. When we reach out to Him, as Simeon did, we find that He can still be held (though we know He really holds us). Isn't it fascinating that Simeon foretold Mary's own personal salvation ("a sword will pierce your own soul too"). Imagine her hearing this, and then later experiencing her own spiritual awakening (precipitated by her son).
The Lord prepares us and the Lord meets us and the Lord transforms us!
blessings,
Rob Smith
No comments:
Post a Comment