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 may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Luke 2: 27-35
The passage above records the comments of an old man, Simeon, who encountered the newborn Jesus just eight days after His birth. He answered the question presented by the familiar song, “What Child is this?”
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing!
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
The Babe the Son of Mary
Nails, spears shall pierce Him through
The Cross He bore for me, for you
Hail, hail the Word made flesh the Babe
The Son of Mary
This year our oldest grandson requested a cross and chain like the one he has seen famous athletes wear. It is my hope that we can communicate to him this truth I heard earlier this week -
“Christianity says you can never make the scales weigh in your direction, and that is why the story of Christianity is the story that is emblazoned in a cross, with someone doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves.”
Alistair begg
Long before Jesus would die for our sins and be resurrected, Simeon saw the power of the Messiah. Let’s remember to keep Him in mind throughout the season.
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