CHRISTMAS – SIMEON SEES THE TRUE SCOPE OF GOD’S SALVATION IN JESUS CHRIST

When we read the Christmas narrative in the Gospels, we see a saintly man called Simeon. The Scriptures record that the Holy Spirit was upon him, and that the Spirit revealed the true purpose and the scope of the Messiah of the LORD God Almighty to Simeon.
– “25 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. 26 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. 27 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, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:” – Luke 2:25-28

The revelation that was given to Simeon, by the Holy Spirit, when God opened his eyes, is this – “THE MESSIAH WOULD BE A LIGHT TO BRING REVELATION TO THE GENTILES” as it was already revealed in the Scriptures – the Old Testament.
– Solomon’s Prayer – “…so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel…” – 1 Kings 8:43b
– The Psalm writers prayed – “… all the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD” – Psalm 22:27
– “… your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations” – Psalm 67:2
– “… all nations be blessed” – Psalm 72:17
– “6 “I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles, 7 To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house.” – Isaiah 42:6-7

What had happened during the crucifixion of the LORD Jesus Christ, and the subsequent events tells us about the heart of God for the whole world.
– The veil that separated the holy of holies and the rest of the temple, was torn from top to bottom. This indicates that the veil that separated is now taken down by God Himself. There is nothing that separates us from God – Hebrews 10:19-22.
– The boundaries of the Promised Land are extended to the whole world…to Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth, which was always the plan of God – Acts 1:8.
– The Temple of God is utterly destroyed, and now the hearts of believers in the Temple. This is again what God always wanted, not some physical building, where YAHWEH chooses to pour His Shekinah glory – 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:19-22
– Forgiveness of sins doesn’t need anymore, a spotless lamb to be sacrificed in the temple. Jesus the Lamb of God, has paid for all our sins, once and for all – John 1:29; Isaiah 53:11; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Galatians 1:4; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:2; Revelation 1:5.

In the arrival and accomplishments of all want the LORD Jesus Christ did, there was something happening silently – the deliberate dismantling of the old system, ushering in of the New Covenant, which spoke crystal clearly, that God loves and cares for the whole world; and all who believe in this High Priest, the LORD Jesus Christ, are His children and His Chosen Ones, as it was always intended by God – Hebrews 9:1-15.

Simeon, the just and devout man of God, realised this. Therefore, he said…
– “30 For my eyes have seen YOUR SALVATION 31 Which YOU HAVE PREPARED before the face of ALL PEOPLES, 32 A LIGHT TO BRING REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel.” – Luke 2:30-32. What God of the Bible had was grander and glorious, than what was interpreted and implemented by the people whom God Almighty chose to be His light to those of the world, sitting in darkness.

How about us? Are we guilty of the same sin that the Hebrew children have committed, and still commit? Let us pause and ponder. We are called to be God’s ambassadors and light. We are to represent our LORD, and shine our light in this world, through our words and deeds. Do our thoughts, words and deeds resemble the LORD whom we claim to follow? Even so, the LORD help us.