Early Christmas Presence - Day 10
Early Christmas Presence
~Simeon~
Early Christmas Presence—The Presence of Jesus brought peace and fulfillment to Simeon.
Luke 2:21-35 (NIV)—On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” 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 on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 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 may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of 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.”
Simeon had a specific and unusual promise that he would not die until he saw the Savior with his own eyes. He woke with expectations. He was a common man with a great purpose that he woke up to and rested in.
His heart was postured in prayer. He had what we can only assume was an unusual prophetic gift, much like Anna the Prophetess, during a time when God was largely silent (not absent but silent toward the Nation of Israel). He was obedient to follow God’s instruction—even in the matters of taking steps into specific places such as the temple.
The Word says, “He was led by the Spirit into the temple,” on the day when Mary and Joseph came for Jesus’ dedication and circumcising. Consider this significance—Simeon obeyed the prompting by the Lord’s Spirit in something as mundane as where to go and when to go, and in those small steps he encountered the Presence of Jesus face to face.
The Word says he took the child into his arms—He didn’t just desire to see salvation, He wanted to embrace it and in this moment of assumed embrace, praise leaves his lips and wisdom that speaks to things already planted in the heart of Mary.
Simeon affirms the deity and calling of Jesus to those around him, including Mary and Joseph. Simeon described “The Presence” this way, “my eyes have seen your salvation.” He understood salvation was both a person and promise. The former the fulfillment of the latter.
After this, Simeon declares he can die in peace because of Jesus. While Simeon is speaking about his own life, there’s truth for humanity in his words. Those who experience the salvation of Jesus are no longer under a curse of fear and death, according to the Book of Hebrews. There’s peace as we enter life and peace as we exit it because peace is the Presence of Jesus in our very lives.
Simeon stood on a promise until he beheld his Savior, and that infant Savior remains the promise of peace we stand on today.
Reflection:
Do you know there is promise in your life today through the Holy Spirit?
Do you know there is promise on your life today through the completed work of Jesus?
How does knowing you have promise on your life impact the way you live?