Have you heard of a man named Simeon? Simeon had been promised by God that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. Upon seeing this promise fulfilled Simeon says God is faithful and yet there is more to come.
A Little Background
Before we jump into the story let’s begin with where we are at in the Christmas Story, because while the holiday has come to an end the story is just beginning. 40 days after Jesus was born his parents took him to the temple.
Luke begins by telling of the birth announcements via angels of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. Zechariah and Mary are both visited by angels telling of their future children. Mary goes to Elizabeth, Zechariah’s wife, and Elizabeth prophesizes of Jesus’ importance. Soon John the Baptist is born and Zechariah tells everyone that the Savior is soon to follow.
Luke then jumps to the humble birth of Christ explaining why Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, showcasing the angels announcing his birth, and bringing the shepherds from the fields to the baby Jesus’ manger.
Immediately following this miraculous birth Luke emphasizes the family’s devout faith as they follow the customs of circumcision and purification for the mother. Two turtle doves are sacrificed, an accepted replacement for those who could not afford the costly lamb. We know the parents, Mary and Joseph, have experienced miracles, are not wealthy, and are devout in their faith.
And the scene is set….
There was once a man named Simeon who said some pretty bold things.
As the family is going about their devotion to God and the law an older man named Simeon, led by the Holy Spirit, enters the story. Now Mary and Joseph by this point are very aware of who this child they have been entrusted with is. If there was any doubt an angel has individually appeared to both, family members (Elizabeth and Zechariah) have confirmed this baby will bring Salvation, angels showed up and told a bunch of shepherds to go see for themselves and they then spread the word. The interaction about to take place was more than likely in the outer portion of the temple, where women and Gentiles worshiped.
Simeon’s message was for the benefit of all.
The story progressed from the Holy Family to the Holy Extended Family, to the everyday Jewish community at the birth and even in the fields, and now extended to even those grafted into the Jewish faith on the outskirts of the temple.
Now enter Simeon who scoops up this precious long-awaited child in his arms and says:
Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
Simeon Says when your dreams are realized, praise God first.
Upon taking Jesus into his arms Simeon first praises God. Two verses previously we are told that Simeon had been promised to see the Messiah before he would die. Here he is holding the promised Messiah, the one he has waited his whole life to see, thanking God for being true to His word.
It is unclear in the text the age of Simeon though church tradition tells us he was around 360 years old, hold on to that because we’ll look at his age in a few days. For now, I want to focus on Simeon’s words. Words that begin first with praise, an acceptance of an end to his long wait and a thankful welcoming of peace.
God had given Simeon a promise and at this moment, holding this infant, Simeon was experiencing the moment he had waited his entire life for. This moment is about Simeon and God.
Simeone says salvation has come for all people.
His next words are less for his own benefit and more acknowledgment of the far reach of God and his purpose. He says,
for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
Here Simeon declares that salvation has come. He is echoing words said by Elizabeth, Zechariah, Mary, and the prophet Isaiah. He is declaring that the Messiah has come for both the Jew and the Gentile, that the Messiah has come for all people.
The entire book of Luke highlights this truth. Salvation has come for all. It began in the prophets as they foretold the coming Messiah (it’s where Simeon found the promise), it was realized in Mary and Joseph’s faithfulness, it spilled out in blessing those who attended Christ’s birth and to those who listened to the angels and showed up, and here it extends beyond the Jews and welcomes in the Gentiles. Salvation is for all regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or any other man-made construct we create.
What comes to mind with the phrase “salvation is for all”? Share in the comments.
