February 24, 2016
The Forward Look
Simeon
. . . was righteous and devout . . . and the Holy Spirit was on him.— Luke 2:25
Read:
Luke
2:21-35
When the great Dutch painter Rembrandt died unexpectedly at
age 63, an unfinished painting was found on his easel. It focuses on Simeon’s
emotion in holding the baby Jesus when He was brought to the temple in
Jerusalem, 40 days after His birth. Yet the background and normal detail remain
unfinished. Some art experts believe that Rembrandt knew the end of his life
was near and—like Simeon—was ready to “be dismissed” (Luke 2:29).
The Holy Spirit was
upon Simeon (v. 25), so it was no coincidence that he was in the temple when
Mary and Joseph presented their firstborn son to God. Simeon, who had been
looking for the promised Messiah, took the baby in his arms and praised God,
saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant
in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the
sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of
your people Israel” (vv. 29-32).
Simeon was not longing
for the glory days of Israel’s history, but was looking ahead for the promised
Messiah, who would come to redeem all nations.
Like Simeon, we can
have an expectant, forward look in life because we know that one day we will
see the Lord.
Father, may we, like Simeon, be always looking
ahead for the appearing of Jesus our Lord.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20
INSIGHT:
In this passage the Jewishness of Jesus takes
center stage. But the encounter with Simeon at the temple was marked by an
announcement that would make circumcision, ritual cleansing, and animal
sacrifices obsolete (Ex. 13:2, 12; Lev. 12:8). The Messiah has come (Luke
2:29–32).
Source: Our Daily Bread 2016