Abiding in Peace

"Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; ³⁰ for my eyes have seen Your salvation ³¹ which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, ³² a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel."

Luke 2:29-32

These are the words spoken by Simeon as he held Jesus in his arms in the temple in Jerusalem.  The LORD God revealed to Simeon, described as being just and devout, that he would not see death until he saw the Christ.  He was led by the Holy Spirit to enter the temple right before Joseph and Mary brought baby Jesus to present Him before the LORD according to the Law of Moses.  Many assume Simeon was an old man, but the Bible does not say this.  Simeon might have been an old fellow, but his words are even more poignant if Simeon was not advanced in years, a man grimly clinging to life, a life that from God that seemed more burdensome than a blessing.

In seeing the LORD Jesus Christ, Simeon wisely realised his life was complete:  there was nothing greater in life possible than seeing God's long awaited salvation and consolation prepared for all people.  The Light of the World finally shone forth, and the way of salvation and the glory of Israel had been revealed according to God's word.  Because we live in a day long after the arrival and revelation of Jesus in the flesh, we can miss the enormity of Christ's arrival.  Unfortunately because we are human beings made of flesh prone to boredom and dissatisfaction, what is new and earth-shaking can become old news.  We can be more excited over opening a wrapped present or eating dessert than Jesus being the Way, the Truth and the Life.  Nothing can take the glorious shine off Jesus, but our moments of clarity like Simeon had in the temple may be few and far between.

I remember a time in my youth when I was not ready to depart this world because of all I had yet to do:  I had not yet graduated from high school, had not moved out from the family home, been married or had children.  I knew Jesus Christ as my Saviour but I counted aspects of life common to people that I had not yet personally experienced of greater value than departing in peace and going to God.  Simeon is a man I admire because he too had many things yet to experience on earth and things to look forward to, yet he valued Jesus to such a degree his life was complete in Him.  Paul made it clear this is the reality for believers in Christ in Colossians 2:10 that says, "...and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power" and Colossians 3:4:  "When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."

Blessed is the one who discovers and experiences the consolation and salvation found in Jesus Christ alone in Whom we are complete, in God Who is our life.  Glory to God in the highest, for by sending Jesus to the world we receive by faith, we discover life worth living today and forever by His grace.  Whether we will shortly depart this world or God chooses to allow us remain for many years, let us rejoice to behold and proclaim His glory as we abide in Christ our peace.