Week 4 Reading
Simeon’s Song | Luke 2:25-32
That moment.
That moment when God fulfilled His promise to me, when the encounter I had pictured all my years materialized, was the pinnacle of my life. My preposterous dream came true. Most people desire riches and prestige, yet all I wanted was to see the long-awaited Messiah before I went to Heaven. I had fervently served the Lord my whole life, and when I was told my dream would be more than a wish—when the Holy Spirit proclaimed in my heart that I would see the Messiah—I was filled with inexpressible joy. Then, when that prophecy came to pass—when I saw Jesus—my cup overflowed.
Looking back at all that happened, I realize the entire story was and is a chronicle of hope. Ever since Israel was established, we have been waiting for the Messiah. Hoping for the Messiah. “All the families of the earth will be blessed through you, Abraham,” God said to our forefather, pointing to a time of His great favour. “For a child is born to us, a son is given,” the prophet Isaiah declared, “Mighty God, Prince of Peace. He will rule forever!” Yes, our history has always cried out, “A Saviour, a Saviour, there will be a Saviour!” Then, when we, God’s people, were overtaken by the Romans, we began hoping the Messiah would be a strong, bold war hero who would rid us of our persecutors. When I was born, I hoped I would see the Messiah in my lifetime. So, that promise from the Holy Spirit filled me with not only joy, but also hope. Every part of my story and every part of Israel’s story is dappled and shaded by hope.
I close my eyes and recall that moment—that hopeful moment. I had gone to the temple not because I had reason to do so but because I felt nudged—called—to go there. Perhaps that was the most hopeful moment I have ever experienced. My heart beat violently in my chest, and my face couldn’t decide whether to grin with happiness or cave with worry. What would it be like to meet the Godsent Rescuer? Was that even the reason I felt God urging me to the temple? Would the Messiah seem different than any other baby? Of course, His parents and I would know He was the most special babe every to be birthed, but would He look any different? Would He act in a special manner despite His age? I took a deep breath to calm my head. I had never let questions and worries stand in the way of my faith, and I was not about to begin now. So, I hurried to the temple.
It was busy that day, I remember. I wondered how I would ever find the right baby. But I did find Him, by the power of the Holy Spirit. I should never have worried about that nagging concern in my head. I should have known that God would lead me to Him. My whole quest to meet the Messiah had been driven by the Spirit of God. And He did it again—He took me and my heart straight to His Son.
No one in the temple court would ever have noticed the Messiah and His parents. To the unled eye, Mary and Joseph were just some paupers with a baby. But the Holy Spirit nudged me onward, whispering, “It’s Him, it’s Him.” I had to be brave to achieve my goal—rather, to grasp the gift God was giving me. What was I supposed to say: ‘Hi, I know your baby is the Messiah, and I want to meet Him’? The mock words teased my mind, yet I realized that was exactly what I wanted to do; it was what I had asked God to let me do.
With courage from God, I stepped toward a young couple and the baby Messiah. The Messiah. “Shalom, friends. I am Simeon and have been promised by the Lord that I will meet the Messiah before I die. He—God—has led me to you and your son.”
To this day my mind floods with relief when I picture those warm smiles from Mary and Joseph. And my mind and soul sing when I remember Mary holding out that baby to me. “His name is Jesus,” she said. I took Him in my arms and lifted my face to the heavens. Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You may now dismiss your servant in peace...