The Great Consolation

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. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 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, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
 
SIMEON is God’s very faithful servant. God had given to him a wonderful promise. In his lifetime Simeon would see the Savior. And then it happened.
   On that day to begin as any other, the Spirit moved Simeon to be where Jesus would enter the temple in his parent’s arms. Simeon experienced God’s great love come to earth and to his city. The baby Jesus’ presence was God’s favor upon the righteous man. Simeon would know the comfort of the Comforter, the provision of the Mighty God and the tender care of the Everlasting Father. In his heart, Simeon, too, would know the peace of the Prince of Peace.  
   You, too, can know this right now. The baby Jesus came to become the Christ Jesus, your Savior. He is your Comforter, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. God fulfilled his promise to Simeon, and as you are a Christian, he has fulfilled his promise to you to see the Savior before your physical body dies.
   That’s how God works, isn’t it? When the Spirit directs you to meet Jesus, your spiritual eyes see the Savior. You receive him with gladness to experience God’s promises come true. Seeing Jesus, the Son, you can then see the Father and the Spirit. You can live in God’s comfort because you know his favor rests on you.
   Center your life on this good news. Consider that everything – that is each thing in the world – will fade and disappear. But God’s promised Savior is with you always. His light opens your eyes to faithfully let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:15-16)
         
Prayer: Thank you, Father, that you are so grieved over our sin you sent the Great Consolation to bring peace to our souls. Amen.