A Dying Wish Fulfilled

Read Luke 2:25-35

How long had it been? A few days? A month? Years? Perhaps decades? Just how long did Simeon await the fulfillment of the Holy Spirit’s promise to him? He was confident he would not taste death until he laid eyes on the Messiah, but when exactly that would happen was a mystery to Simeon. Given his overwhelming excitement toward seeing the Christ child combined with his apparent eagerness to peacefully go to his final resting place, Simeon must have been waiting for quite some time—perhaps even a lifetime. Throughout the wait, however, Simeon was a man filled with hope.

The text describes him as “righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation.” Simeon lived an entire lifetime of devotion to the Lord, waiting expectantly for Israel’s great comforter to arrive. He knew that God would be faithful to his promises, and his confidence in the Lord led him to a life of obedience to his Lord.

Then, finally, it happened. A young couple, carrying a baby boy, walks into the temple complex and Simeon bursts into praise. He was now free to die in peace for he had seen the hope of the world. Salvation was coming to all people— Jew and Gentile alike. The Holy Spirit was faithful to his promise and through a little baby named Jesus, an old man's dying wish was finally fulfilled.

Accompanying this scene of great joy, however, is a stark warning. This child would not only usher in deliverance, but also judgment. He would stand in bold opposition to the arrogant, bringing imminent judgment to those who rejected his offer of salvation. And for the young mother who gently cuddled this baby, a sword of agony would pierce her very soul as one day she would witness what her child would have to endure to make this salvation possible.

Starter Prayer:
Father,
As I await your return, give me a holy anticipation like Simeon's. Help me to look forward to that day with great excitement and an appropriate longing to see Jesus face to face. May the hope of that day fuel me to live righteously and devoutly in the meantime. Thank you for the hope of your salvation, found solely in your son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.