My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation!

Rembrandt, Simeon in the Temple - 1669

Luke 2:25-32

'Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,  Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
    you now dismiss your servant in peace. 

 For my eyes have seen your salvation,

    which you have prepared in the sight of all people,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles
    and for glory to your people Israel.”'

When Simeon held the baby Jesus in his arms, his life was complete! This is amazing. Remember, Jesus was at this point, helpless, not yet gracing the world with authoritative teaching, or miraculous healings. He had not accomplished the purpose for which He had come to the earth, the purpose for which His Father had sent Him. His tiny hands would one day toughen and callous from work and be nailed to the cross but at that moment, they were frail and helpless. And yet, Simeon’s eyes are opened. He calls the little child God’s Salvation, which is what the name Jesus means. Simeon was dazzled by the Light that still shines upon the Gentiles like you and I, bringing us to God. Simeon saw the promises of God to Israel fulfilled in Christ, who is the true Glory of Israel: the Promised Seed, the Righteous Branch. And all of this before He turned water into wine, before the Sermon on the Mount, before the Crucifixion and Resurrection!

Christ’s value is not tied up in what He has done, although it is important. Before He had done anything as a human, He was worthy of worship, for He Is Who He Is; He was worthy of thanks, for He Is With Us!