Christmas - That We Might Have LifeSample

DAY 9, DEVOTION 9

Simeon, the Savior Stirring Hope

Simeon of Jerusalem is not described as a priest or a prophet, though he may have been. Scripture does not give us any details about his age, his family, or his social status. The Holy Spirit describes Simeon not by any fleeting external measure, but by the weight of his character: righteous and devout. He loved God. And from that taproot grew a strong and genuine concern for people. Simeon’s soul mirrored God’s passion since “the Holy Spirit was upon him” and he was “looking for the consolation of Israel” (Luke 2:25).

It had been 400 long years of silence since the confrontational prophetic dialogue between God and a rebellious people recorded by Malachi. Now the Holy Spirit speaks again, but quietly to a man’s soul, words of solace: “And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” (Luke 2:26). A man who loves God is given God’s heart for people.

With such souls there is a clarity that is both sad and hopeful, comprehending both sin and salvation. When God shows a man Himself, that light of revelation displays the extent of his own soul’s sickness, against which he is powerless. So, that man is left with a choice—to cast himself on the mercy of God or let the sickness devour him. Simeon, touched by the Lord, displays gratitude for his salvation through devotion to God and a life lived righteously with his fellow man. In short, God gave Simeon hope. And because hope is present in a man who has found God, he is able to have hope for others. Hope is the rope that binds together the need for salvation and the certainty of a Savior.

The vision of God carries a man beyond personal self-awareness. God uses that vision to strip away the facade covering the fallen condition of the world around him too. This transparent view of a broken world is cause for sadness. Yet, this sadness does not lead to despair but rather hope extended—a hopeful watching, an active waiting. Hope is the certainty that just as the Lord’s saving presence has dawned upon my soul, so too the Bright Morning Star will rise upon a weary world. The consolation of Simeon is the salvation of Israel, and of the world. The comfort of Simeon is that he would be witness to the coming of the Savior.

So when the Holy Spirit led Simeon into the temple at the exact moment (Luke 2:27) when Mary and Joseph were bringing baby Jesus in to present Him to the Lord, he immediately recognized Jesus for who He is and joyfully sang, “For my eyes have seen Your salvation… A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel” (Luke 2:30, 32).

Everything changes when Jesus comes. The harsh human formula now includes forgiveness. The bankrupt moral ledger balances. The ship of society run aground rises on His coming tide. Our winter soul thaws to the spring of our Savior’s love.

Hope calls to us all, “There is another way!” Christians manifest hope, illuminating the path to freedom.

No matter which road ultimately led us to our Savior, we can be thankful that the reason Jesus came is to heal our brokenheartedness, to give us eyes to see His grace and unconditional love, and to ultimately set us free (Luke 4:16-21).

Our sin is great, yet our Savior is greater.

Questions for Reflection

Simeon was a man who loved God and had hope for His people. How might we reflect God’s true hope to those around us?

What other tangible ways can we offer hope to those whose journey has taken them to a dark place?

How has the truth “our sin is great, yet our Savior is greater” played out in your life?

Father God,

Your word is true. There is great hope found in the Savior of Bethlehem. Teach us to embrace the promises of life found there. And give us the grace and ability to share the hope we have with others. Through the light of Jesus,

Amen.