Eight Responses to Meeting JesusSample

Simeon saw with eyes of faith

When the parents brought in the child Jesus … he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said, ‘Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation’” (Luke 2:27-30).

Luke characterizes Simeon as “righteous and devout.” His life was marked by hopeful expectation. God had promised that Simeon would see the Messiah, the Christ, with his own eyes before he died. When Joseph and Mary entered the temple with their Child, the Holy Spirit showed Simeon that this baby was the Lord's Anointed One. Outwardly, there was nothing special about this family. Every day young parents came to present their child to the Lord, as the law required. But Simeon saw beyond this. He saw that this Child would lead all nations to God's light. He was right. Years later, Jesus said of Himself, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Full of reverence, Simeon took the Child in his arms. God had fulfilled His promise. Now Simeon could die in peace. He had seen the very beginning of God's saving work, and by faith he could see much farther ahead.

Do you rejoice in God's final salvation of the world, even though its completion is still in the future?