Holding the Christ Child

“For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation.” (Luke 2:30)

Forty days after Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph took Him to the temple in Jerusalem for her purification and the Baby’s dedication. Like every other firstborn Jewish boy, He was dedicated to the Lord. They offered a sacrifice of either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

In Jerusalem, there was an old man named Simeon who carefully observed the laws of God and waited for their completion in the Person of the Messiah. The Holy Spirit guided him to the temple at the moment when Mary and Joseph arrived to present Jesus to the Father. His arrival at that moment was not a coincidence, and he did not simply happen to walk over to the right baby.

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple. (Luke 2:25-27)

Seeing Mary and Joseph there with Jesus, he immediately recognized his Lord, a tiny Baby. He took the Anointed One into his arms and blessed the Lord.

Then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, “Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy Salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a Light to lighten the Gentiles, and the Glory of Thy people Israel.” (28-32)

Simeon recognized Jesus, the Person, as Salvation, and he thanked God. We know he was ready to die then, but we don’t know how much longer he lived.

Simeon told Mary that a sword would pierce her soul, and he shared some profound prophecy. He explained that Jesus was “a Light to lighten the Gentiles, and the Glory of Thy people Israel.” The order of words indicates that the Gentiles would first accept the Messiah. Later the Jews will trust Him when He returns as their King. Simeon predicted a reversal of the original order – a new revelation.

Later, Jesus would say, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” (John 14:6) Jesus is the only way. Some pagan beliefs suggest that it is enough to follow the teachings of Jesus as one of many ways to work out our own salvation. There are no “almost” Christians. What is important is that people believe in Jesus as their Savior. Believing in His teachings is not enough.

Non-Biblical traditions maintain that Simeon was the son of the famous Pharisee Hillel, who was known as a great teacher among the Jews. Also Simeon is believed to be the father of Gamaliel, the famous Jewish lawyer who taught the Apostle Paul. Although this information is fascinating, it does not matter who Simeon’s father and son were. What is important is that he recognized the Baby he held in his arms as the Son of God.

Quoted from Do You Know How God Loves You? The price of this book has been reduced on Amazon.com from $26.99 to $14.97.