Simeon’s Blessing

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Luke 2:25-32 (ESV)

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29     “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;

30     for my eyes have seen your salvation

31         that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

32     a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and for glory to your people Israel.”

 

Devotion:

 

                Christmas day has come and gone, but the infancy narrative of Jesus moves forward. Today we meet Simeon. He was described as a “righteous and devout” man. Who was waiting patiently for Messiah to be born. Having seen a vision that he would not die until he had, in fact, seen the holy one of God, he waited. On the day of Jesus’s circumcision, the Holy Spirit called Simeon to the temple where he met Joseph, Mary, and Jesus.

 

            Simeon was shown by the Spirit that this child was the one he had been waiting for all these years. So, he took the child, Jesus, and spoke words of blessing over him. We like Simeon are waiting for the coming of Jesus to set the world right at long last. We like Simeon do not know the day or the hour of Christ’s return. We like Simeon can be sure that Jesus is coming. He will not break his promise to us. We have Jesus' word on it in John 14:1-3, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

 

            We can have full faith and confidence in the return of Jesus. And on his return, he will take us to the place he has prepared just for us. What we celebrate today as a babe lying in a manger will come again as conqueror and king. He will claim for himself his bride, the church, and make all things new. While it is not clear exactly what Jesus is preparing for us, we can be certain that it will be wonderful beyond our imagination. Let us pray that we may see Jesus returning in glory.

 

Prayer:

           

            God, maker of heaven and earth, hear our prayer this day. May we be like Simeon of old waiting patiently for the Messiah to be revealed to us. Help us to live as your holy people, righteous and devout, waiting for your coming. Keep us by your power. May we live to bring glory to your holy name. Nevertheless, quickly come Lord Jesus and save your people from this evil world. Amen

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