DAY 2: SIMEON – A SIGH OF PEACE
Read Luke 2:25-35.
He was up in years, a devout and righteous man, looking for relief for the nation. Never mind that his years were coming to an end – that didn’t seem to damper his passion and desire to see his people free from oppression. And so one day God revealed to Simeon that all he had been hoping and praying for would come to pass in his lifetime. Imagine that – living a lifetime under Roman oppression and seeing freedom at life’s end. Simeon would see the Messiah before departing!
I can imagine that everyday Simeon would wait in great anticipation and expectation for the Messiah to come. Perhaps he would walk into the temple for signs. Maybe he would stand on the high city walls and look over the people within, travelers outside. And while the Scriptures don’t record how long Simeon had to wait, I suspect many days, if not even months and years passed without that promise being fulfilled. And yet, he waited.
To consider: Have you ever had to wait on the Lord for so long that you began to lose hope in anything happening?
One day, the passage says, “he came in the Spirit to the temple” (NAS), and he recognized Jesus as the Messiah and blessed him (2:29-32). Imagine the thrill in his voice!
In Simeon’s joy, his first words reveal almost a sigh of relief – “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.” I like the NAS translation: “Now Lord, Thou dost let Thy bond-servant depart in peace, according to Thy word.” – almost to say, “Finally Lord, I can depart in peace.”
Do you realize that for us today, we can say the same? We can depart this world in peace knowing that Jesus has come and died for our sins, and now an eternity awaits us. We ought never to fear dying, but instead have peace knowing Jesus has given us eternal life.
To consider: Are you afraid to depart this world? Would your departure be a peaceful one if you died today? Our eternity is secure, and that should enable us to breathe a sigh of relief!
