Just a few days after the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph brought Him to the temple to be circumcised. Luke 2:35 says that there was a just and devout man there named Simeon. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel. Others found consolation in business and family and festivities, but Simeon knew that all of these things were only that which covered up the true soul anguish of the people. He was waiting for the true consolation, the Messiah. Nothing that this world offered would satisfy Simeon’s soul. God had given this man a special revelation that he would see the Messiah before he died. The Spirit of God led him to be in the temple that day, and he took Jesus up into his arms. In the midst of all of the activity in the temple, Mary and Joseph enter with the Son of God cradled in their arms. It brings to mind the words of John the Baptist, there stands one among you whom you do not know (John 1:26). The Son of God entered the place, and everything went on as usual. But there was Simeon and this man came trembling before Mary and Joseph and with quivering hands reached and held the Lord’s Christ in his arms. See the old prophet as he looks into the eyes of the Son of God and, as any man does, awkwardly cradles that child as he beams with the glory of the joy of the Lord. He took the Son of God up and referred to Him as “this child.” Very likely, these are the words that inspired William Dix to pen the words to the hymn, “What Child Is This?”
In Luke 2:29 Simeon exclaims, “Lord, You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your Word.” Embracing Jesus Christ meant that he was now ready to die. What is it that will make you ready to leave this existence and go out into eternity to meet God? You must know that you are right with God, forgiven of your sins, cleansed from unrighteousness. This is what happens when you put aside any notion of pleasing God by your works and trust in Jesus Christ alone.
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