Friday, December 29th

“Simeon came into the temple…” (Luke 2:27)

One of the people scripture introduces us to during Christmastide is Simeon – “a righteous and devout man” on whom the Holy Spirit rested. There was a prophecy associated with him -- that he would live to see the Messiah.  This seems to have led the people to regard him with awe and reverence.

In that day, it was the fervent hope of every good Jew to live to see the Messiah.  Yet Simeon seems in a baby, mere months old, what all Israel longed for. Truly he is led by the Spirit, to recognize what had barely begun of God’s salvation.

We, too, long to see the Messiah – but we know where to look, we don’t need to wait and wonder who it might be! The years since Simeon’s proclamation have seen others claim the mantle only to fall from grace and glory, while the one Simeon held has proved to live vibrantly even into our own age.  We can look at Jesus and discover a release from far more bondage than mere Roman political rule. If we don’t see the Messiah, the Savior, it is because we refuse to accept Jesus’ grace, to allow the Spirit to rest on us and open our eyes to what is always before us.

Are we still “looking forward” to a Savior – or have our eyes seen God’s Salvation and light and glory in Jesus, as did Simeon in the temple so long ago.

ARE WE ALLOWING THE SPIRIT TO GUIDE US TO OUR SAVIOR?

Prayer: Glorious God, bring us into the presence of our Savior with hearts ready and longing to hold him and make him the center of our lives. Amen.

Dr. John Clifford