December 27, 2022: Luke 2:28-32 - My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation
“…he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
‘Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.’ ” - Luke 2:28-32
The Holy Spirit had revealed something of tremendous importance to Simeon, a faithful Jewish servant of the Lord who had read about the prophesied coming of the Messiah. Simeon had been waiting for Jesus, the Consolation of Israel. The Holy Spirit chose this devout man and told him that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
The Spirit prompted Simeon to go to the temple, and he did. When Jesus’ parents had taken Him to be presented in the temple and to offer a sacrifice according to Jewish Law for the birth of a male child, Simeon was immediately filled with gratitude and joy, for the arrival of Jesus had come! While he likely had no idea of how Messiah would come, he probably had not been expecting Him to come as a baby. However, upon seeing the Child, Simeon knew immediately and beyond the shadow of a doubt that this Child was the prophesied Messiah. He lovingly took Jesus in his arms and blessed and praised God.
Simeon’s words speak volumes. There is so much depth in what he spoke. Simeon had put all of his hope in Jesus, so much so that he was now ready to depart this earth and move onto eternity, and he would depart in peace. He wasn’t clinging to this world; he was clinging to Jesus. He knew all the prophecies of the One he was now holding in his arms that had not yet come true would come true because the greatest prophecy of all had just been fulfilled: the birth of Messiah. He knew what the Lord had spoken to Isaiah and all the prophets about the Redeemer, who is the Holy One of Israel.
The words of praise Simeon spoke to God revealed that he knew that the Redeemer was sent not only to offer salvation to His people, the Jews, but also to the Gentiles. He also said God’s salvation would be the glory of God’s people Israel. Jesus was born a Jew, and His lineage is of the Jews, the people of Israel. The greatest glory that would ever come out of Israel is their salvation through the prophesied Messiah, Jesus the Christ. While they are not in glory yet because of their unbelief, there is coming a day, when Messiah will return to righteously judge the world and all of the remnant of Israel will be saved.
Do you have a heart like Simeon’s, full of hope, love, and peace for our Savior? I pray that you will have a heart like Simeon’s, blessing God for His salvation - Jesus the Christ - who one day, we too, will see with our own eyes. ✝️