Pastor’s Moment
He had waited all his life to see the Messiah. Simeon was a man who in our day and age, we might refer to as a “Pillar of the Church”. He was devoted to God, a righteous man, and scripture tells us, “The Holy Spirit was upon him”. Through the Spirit, God revealed to him, perhaps years before, that before he died, Simeon would see the Messiah… and so Simeon waited. Then one day, probably a day like any other, the Spirit moved him once again, this time to go to the Temple, and so he went. I doubt that it was a booming voice out of the clouds saying, “Simeon go to the temple”. Perhaps it was more like a quiet knowing, being drawn to go to God’s Holy place… The Temple. And so, Simeon, called by the Spirit, went. The temple was a busy place, filled with activity and many people.
Then, he saw them, Joseph, and Mary the young mother, holding her infant child. I wonder what Mary thought as Simeon ran to them and took the baby into his arms and praised God, exclaiming,
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
God has promised the same salvation for us. As the old hymn says “Mine eyes have seen the Glory of the coming of the Lord”. May we see that Glory. May we answer the call. May we welcome Him with Joy. May we, called by the Spirit, go to God’s Holy place. Jesus, Immanuel, Messiah, Light of the world, has come.
In the Name of Christ
Pastor Mike