TO SEE AS SIMEON SAW

When reading the Christmas story in December each year, I usually focus on Mary.  I am always inspired by how she was so receptive of God’s plan for her life, even though there would be many trials and ridicule for months to come.  I yearn to have a heart like hers, and be highly favored in God’s eyes.   

But this year, I keep being drawn to the part of the holy story in Luke Chapter 2, where the infant Jesus was taken to the temple and Simeon held him in his arms – what he had been waiting for all his life.  And studying the painting of Ron DiCiannie’s, “Simeon’s Moment,” I am awestruck!  The expression on Simeon’s face as he is realizing he is holding the Messiah…  wow!  

 

 

Think about this – how many babies had he lifted up for blessing in his lifetime?  And each time he was thinking, “is this the promised Messiah?”  Now this day as he held the baby Jesus in his arms, he knew in his heart that THIS was the one!  And why did he SEE Jesus in the dimensions that he did?  Because he WANTED to see Him.  He had asked God not to let him die until he saw the Messiah.  The scriptures say that the Holy Spirit was upon him.  The Holy Spirit led him to the temple.  The Holy Spirit revealed to him the salvation prepared for all nations.  And he got what he desired in his heart.  

From Luke 2:25 – 35 (NIV), “ Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.  It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.  Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him 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.”

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.  Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

This Christmas as I look at baby Jesus, I don’t want to just look at a little baby in swaddling clothes, but I want the Holy Spirit to help me see as Simeon saw – in the dimensions that show me a Lord for my entire existence  - and for future generations.  I desire to see a Savior, a redeemer, and a King for all eternity.  And if I truly want to SEE Him this Christmas, he WILL reveal Himself to me.