Letting Go and Looking Ahead

Letting Go and Looking Ahead by John Van Schepen
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:21-32
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, now let your servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel..” Luke 2:29-30

Though Simeon was not in Jesus’ family tree, he became a part of Jesus’ story in a beautiful way. The Lord had promised this godly man who waited prayerfully for the Messiah who God had promised him he would see.

When Jesus, the firstborn son of Mary, was brought to the temple to be consecrated to the Lord (Exodus 13:2), Simeon was there. He had served God faithfully as he waited for the Messiah, the promised Savior, to come. Then it happened. He saw Jesus, and knew in his spirit that He was the awaited One. Simeon took him in his arms, and praised God.

By faith, Simeon had claimed God’s promise that the Messiah would come. By faith, he looked ahead to the salvation that Jesus would accomplish for us. By faith, he grasped the awesome truth that the salvation brought by Jesus is available for all peoples, including you and me.

Now, Simeon was ready to slip into eternity because he had held the promise in his arms.

Have you seen Jesus, the Savior of the world? You can’t hold him in your arms, but you can receive him into your heart as your Savior and your Lord by faith. Then, like Simeon, you will be ready to declare the Savior to the lost and dying world around you or move on to eternal glory as a blood-washed child of the King of kings.

Father, may we, like Simeon, see all you have done and look forward to all you have promised, for you are still faithful to perform all that you have promised. In Jesus’ name, Amen.