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Wednesday, December 29, 2004
I love the moment of anticipation.
I loved those moments on Christmas Eve at night, snuggling in my bed, thinking about what Santa might bring the next day or what presents I might get from my family.
I remember my father and I driving to a college football game between two highly ranked teams with tickets going at a premium and we had two on the 40-yard line.
I recall sitting behind the stage about an hour before my wedding, alone, and thinking about my bride-to-be and the ceremony that was about to happen.
I remember the drive to the hospital with my wife in labor.
And all those moments stay with me for a reason. The anticipation is very intense.
So, I can't imagine what emotions Simeon experienced when it was revealed to him that he would not see death until the Messiah was born. He'd lived a long, full life. One in which he was faithful to the Lord when society all around him (even the majority of Israelites) had fallen away from God.
And now, he's been indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who told him he'd see the Messiah in his lifetime. Every day he woke up, and knowing that the Messiah would be a boy and hence would wind up at the Temple at some point, headed to the Temple and waited.
And waited. Watched new parents and waited.
Finally, he finds out Jesus is the Messiah. Mary and Joseph are the earthly parents. Can you imagine what his emotions did at that moment? His heart jumped into his throat and beat faster than it'd probably beaten in it's life. His aged hands shaking with the excitement that God was back at work in human history.
Can you imagine how overwhelmed he was when he held the Messiah? Holding the Redeemer of Israel in his own arms? He probably had tears streaming down his face and a shaky but strong voice said:
"Now, Lord, Thou dost let Thy bond-servant depart in peace, according to Thy Word; For my eyes have seen Thy salvation, Which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel."
He was ready to die in peace now. Think of that statement. What would you have to see in your lifetime that, once it took place, you could say that you could now die in peace? I can only imagine, but I'd be willing to bet that Moses said it after his 40 year trek in the wilderness (with all the trials and tribulations he went through during that time) as God let him see the Promised Land from the top of that mountain. I'm sure there are other Biblical examples, but I can honestly say that there hasn't been anything that's happened to me that would cause me to say that I could die in peace.
His eyes have seen the salvation of the Lord. That statement alone is staggering. Think of how few people in human history can say it.
And that salvation is for all people.
A bit of background would let you know that this statement would've been difficult for an Israelite to understand fully. They knew that the Gentiles (those that weren't of the nation of Israel) would have some part in the Kingdom of God as the Temple had a place for them, but for the Gentiles to have an equal shot at redemption would've blown their minds. And now Simeon mentions them first by quotiing Isaiah 42:6 & 49: 6.
Jesus will be a light of revelation to the Gentiles. A light to the world that the God of the nation of Israel is the one true, holy and living God. This news was common to Hebrews, but the rest of the world would now get this revelation. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, right? A city on a hill cannot be hidden, right? Somehow...
...someway...
...it all has a tie to the Sermon on the Mount, doesn't it?
And Jesus will be the crowning glory of Israel. The Lion of the tribe of Judah. This little baby will grow up and show the world was Israel was created to be.
And, now all Simeon's anticipation had come to fruition.
Then, he hand the baby back to the stunned parents. They were amazed at these things. Says so right there in verse 33, and I would imagine that it would be tough to stun these two at this point after nine months of angelic visits, shepherd announcements and the like. But they were stunned, and Simeon blessed them, too.
And then he has a few words for Mary: "Behold this child is appointed forthe fall and rise of many in Israel for a sign to be opposed--and a sword will pierce even your own soul--to the end that thoughts from many hearts will be revealed."
This was a different tone than what she had been hearing before, wasn't it. A little more to think about. Most of what she'd been hearing these days had been that her child was a light to the world and salvation and the Child of God. Now, it gets personal: Some folks will understand Him and love him, and some will oppose Him in the strongest terms...and, Mary, it will hurt. Hurt big time. A sword will pierce your soul. You'll have a lot to bear in your liftetime, too.
And Simeon's role is complete.
He walks away from the Temple with that emotion that can only happen once the anticipated moment is complete. He looks back fondly on that moment for the remainder of his life. The moment he'd waited for his whole life, to hold the Messiah. To look in His eyes and on His face and know...
truly know...
that the Kingdom of God was at hand.
I'm sure that Simeon reflected on that every day...and maybe we should, too.
Brent 6:06 AM
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