“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” Luke 2:29-32
The story of Jesus’ birth includes details of a man named Simeon. He was a just and devout man who waited for the consolation of Israel.
But Israel would not be comforted until the Messiah arrived. The Christ (the anointed one) would bring forgiveness of sin, justification before God, and eternal salvation. Simeon, knowing the Old Testament scriptures, spent his life looking forward to this day.
God showed kindness to Simeon, revealing he would not die before seeing the Messiah himself. And he did.
The moment he met Jesus is recorded in Luke 2, where it says he “took he him up in his arms.” This must have been a wonderful scene! It’s the moment Simeon’s faith became sight, and the collision of old and new testament worlds.
Hope of things to come was transformed. Salvation was present. Even before Jesus suffered, died, was buried, and rose again, His story was settled. His sinless life was certain, His willing sacrifice guaranteed, and His physical resurrection never in doubt.
It was settled because of the character of the person making the promises. He is the God who cannot lie. All of His will is accomplished without error and without delay.
Simeon’s story is a good reminder. Everything he knew from the scriptures was true. He waited in faith and the Lord delivered – as He always does.
The promises we have not yet seen are waiting. None will be forgotten or unfulfilled. Eternal life in heaven, the return of Jesus, the millennial kingdom, and so many others are certainties. We have only to wait and hope as Simeon did. Every believer will soon grasp them as he grasped the Christ.
For Gentiles, his story brings more good news. The prophecy of Isaiah 42 arrived with the Savior.
“I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.” Isaiah 42:6-7
Strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world, Gentiles in darkness have access to light; the only Light that could bring us near to God. This old Jewish man announced it with excitement. The Messiah of Israel would open a door no man could close – the door to eternal life with God.
This is the message of Christmas. His eternal light has come and must be reflected by His church in a very dark world. The lights we use to decorate our homes are just a picture. He is that True Light. Simeon embraced Him. Let’s pray that many more of us will do the same this season.