My eyes have seen Thy Salvation
Shalom!
Welcome fellow seeker
If you’re the type that thinks deeply about things, you’re in the right place. I, too am prone to pondering scripture. Whenever I do, it takes me on a little adventure that leads to new insights or observations that make things more meaningful. This short Christmas devotional is one of them.
For instance, I’ve pondered about Anna. How long had she waited to see the baby Jesus? Then, I pondered about Simeon. Just how old was he when he was assured of seeing the infant Messiah? Being as elderly as they were, their sheer determination to be part of this holy event is something believers today should aim for.
Anna and Simeon are characters no one ever talks about. Yet the few sentences we have about them in the Bible relay so much about their life and devotion to God. If they were with us today, they’d be the ones you would want to seek out for counsel in your Christian walk. We’re so impatient, we want our prayers answered NOW, but they had the faith that waits.
The following is part 2 of a 3-part series of short stories as food for thought as enter into our Christmas celebration. Conversely, it’s also an opportunity to ponder His 2nd coming. The overarching theme is “Watching for Jesus”. I hope it will be a blessing to you.
Setting the scene
Advent: (from Latin- adventus, which means “coming”)
This Christmas we celebrate the first advent of Christ Jesus while standing on the cusp of His second coming. Never have we been as close to the next stage of His marvelous plan.
Yet, for the most part, in that first nativity no one it would seem, was anticipating the Messiah. Ancient Palestine and most of the known world at that time was under the control of Rome. History records it as the “Pax Romana”, but in reality, it was peace by might. Bands of militant Jews called ‘zealots’ sought to overthrow the Romans and resisted their authority. So, there was a great deal of political tension.
All the while, at the temple in Jerusalem, an elderly man is eagerly watching for Jesus. His name is Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)—in Hebrew meaning “heard”.
Simeon’s walk with God
Now, Simeon was a righteous and devout man. So much so that scripture points out that the Spirit of God was upon him. Simeon was continually looking for the promised Messiah; the Consolation of Israel. To console means to bring comfort. Hundreds of years prior Isaiah proclaimed: “Comfort, comfort My people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned” (Isaiah 40:1-2)
I can kind of picture Simeon pondering the social and political developments of his day and comparing them against the prophecies and wondering if it meant that the time of the Messiah was near? It was more than a mere hunch. One day, God heard: “It was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”
When you read the account, it sounds like the announcement came out of the blue. But the text implies that Simeone was hoping. There was nothing more he longed for with all of his heart than to see this moment in time. Scripture says “delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4) This was no ‘surprise’ at all. It was Heaven’s answer to a question! Try to imagine how Simeon felt; his exuberance, his gratitude. That’s a 100% guarantee!
Yet, often, as believers do—when we get a strong confirmation about something—we tend to except it to happen very soon. I’m guessing it wasn’t any different with Simeon.
Put yourself in his sandals for a moment: how might this affect your life? Your faith? Knowing that nothing is going to happen to you…no accident, no sickness or even old age…nothing that you would die from until you had seen the Savior. Think about that!
But years passed, and no Messiah. Simeon had been 40, then 50, then 60 years old. God holds our every breath. Of course, no one knows how old Simeon was when God gave him this assurance. I believe it’s more likely he was already getting up there in years and he was beginning to worry. God could have prolonged his life anyway without a word.
But this timely communication also speaks volumes about the character of God and how mindful He is of our thoughts. Can’t you hear the tenderness in His voice: “Don’t worry, Simeon”. He let Simeon know so he would not be anxious. That way, any fear he had about dying before Jesus was born would instantly vanish. Maybe God tested that faith a little by allowing so much time to pass and letting him grow older than most.
Rewarding the faith that waits
Either way, God would faithfully reward his watching. Finally, the Bible says, that day arrived and the Holy Spirit prompted Simeon to go up to the temple. And soon afterwards, Mary & Joseph and the infant Messiah walked in. They were there because according to Jewish law, the parents of a male child–when he is 8 days old–are to bring him to the Temple to make purification and offering, and to dedicate him to the Lord. (Leviticus 12)
Simeon took the baby Jesus into his arms and blessed God and said: “Lord, now let Thy servant depart in peace according to Your word; FOR MY EYES HAVE SEEN YOUR SALVATION.”
This year as we celebrate Christmas, the whole world is inundated with confusion, uncertainty and fear. Today, there are many who, like Simeon, harbor an inner knowing that the Lord’s return is at hand. And we, too are eagerly waiting. Considering what the future holds, we ought to live in that place of absolute confidence in His promise. We’re told in Acts 1:11 “This Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven will come in the same way you saw him go into heaven” Acts 1:11
Jesus Himself said “I will come again and will take you to Myself that where I am, you may be also.” John 14:3
Companion devotionals for the season
Watching for Jesus; Anna’s Story (PART 1)
The Shepherd’s Surprise (PART 3)
The Peace & Joy of Contentment
About the writer
Kristen is a garden hobbyist, crafter and writer who makes her home in Palmer, Alaska. She has her own garden and art blog called Make it a Garden. Above all, she loves to share her passion for nature and the God who created it. She uses Blue Letter Bible as one of her favorite study resources.
