Vol. 7, No. 50 – December 18, 2022 – Advent 2022
And he [Simeon] 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, 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 that You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.” –Luke 2:27-32
Angels made the birth announcement. Simeon announces that he is looking at God’s salvation answer—it is the babe in his arms. True. It seems amazing that Simeon spoke of the Gentiles. Not what you would expect. However, Simeon knows that God is the Creator of all and that He has a vested interest in all. God’s desire is for their salvation.
The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased. –Luke 2:14
Simeon sang that he could depart in peace. It was common for the priests to sing their messages, especially when referencing the Tanakh. However, this is not all about peace.
His father and his mother marveled at what was said about Him. and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” –Luke 2:33-35
There is suffering to come; for now, there is peace. Peace always has a cost in this life. Humans on earth will not experience true peace until the Lord returns to reign. And then only those who are identified with Christ, and have a relationship with Christ will have true peace.
Mary was to live through the death of Jesus. Simeon had departed in death. Joseph was likely dead while Jesus hung on the cross. The heartbreak experienced by a mother was to come to abrupt fruition in a few short years.
She likely could not erase Simeon’s words. They would prey upon her mind, be a crown of thorns strangling her heart.
What Simeon is doing is pointing to how God would redeem His people, the Jews, and even the Gentiles. There was Hope. There was Love. There was Joy. There was brief Peace. But there was more to come. Much more. There was coming a time of great struggle. We will get a taste of that in our blog next week.
In the meantime, what are we to do with this blog?
Life Application
Have you ever had the experience of raising a child that brought disappointment? How did you handle that? The emotions. The lack of control over what life brought. The sense of exposure, thinking that you might have failed.
While Jesus lived out His life in companionship with His Father, your child may have gone another way. Does Jesus care for some, and not for others? How does that thought bring peace to your heart?
Simeon struggled to have peace. He was old. Old in years. He was tired. He wanted the Messiah to come—pleaded for Him. He received a promise that he would see the Messiah before he left his earthly life. That should provide enough encouragement that he could just go on in life. Should it not? He did patiently wait. But it was tiring. Grueling. When he would see the Messiah, he could go. He was ready. His service to the Lord was complete. Give that some thought.
Do you ever feel like Simeon felt? Where do you get your peace? Same place.
God is the God of peace. Peace is costly. We never know how much the cost is going to be. However, we need to be ready, because the world we live in is a very uncomfortable place. It is not because of a climate crisis; it is because of the crisis of evil hearts. We are not of this world; we are of His world. We are just traveling through.
Are you too old for peace? Nah. There is a song about this, I hope you will sing it.
O Holy Night
O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining. It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining. Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices! O night divine! O night when Christ was born!
O night divine! O night, O night divine! Led by the light of faith serenely beaming, With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand. So, led by the light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from the Orient land. The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger, In all our trials born to be our friend. He knows our need, To our weakness no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend! Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
