Luke 2:25-32 - And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 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. So he came by 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 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.”
I love this account of Simeon. If we have given our lives to Christ we can know what Simeon expressed...a peaceful departure because we have seen our salvation and Light of the world. This light is for Jew or Greek...for all mankind.
Simeon, a Jew, had obviously known the prophecy of a Messiah who would come to redeem God's people. Many had been looking for a political leader who would defeat their enemies. Many today are still looking for this type of man, missing Who already has come.
So Simeon went to the temple and the Spirit of God revealed to him the baby Jesus. Has the real Jesus been revealed to you?
We can be looking at times for someone or something to redeem us, to take us out of our problem, lifestyle or addiction. Then when we've had enough, we might look to psychiatrists, psychologists, AA, or friends, family or other groups. Does anyone ever consider God first?
Simeon patiently waited until this particular day and then his waiting was over he was at peace in his spirit.
We might be knowing something has to change...or not. We might realize we aren't totally satisfied...or maybe haven't yet. I went through this. It took years of "looking for myself" to realize it wasn't about me looking for me, but about Jesus who was looking for me. In an instant realization one morning, like Simeon, I had seen my salvation, the light of the world. He will work in me till my last breath.
I hadn't noticed the word Consolation before. We know what it means...to be consoled. Another definition is comforter. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, the one who helps us get through our troubles, eases, comforts. This Holy Spirit also is received when we turn to Christ. We can call on Jesus and His Spirit for comfort, consolation. Simeon knew when he saw. I can imagine the comfort he felt as he spoke the words, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace.
When we turn to Christ and know that He has redeemed us, we too can now depart this world in peace knowing we have seen the Light of our salvation. Are you at peace? Have you seen your Salvation? Are you convinced you will receive eternal life?
2Peter 3:9 - ...beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
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