“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
(Luke 2:29-32)
A neighbor has a cherry blossom tree. Ever since I’ve lived in here in Georgia, I’ve thought it the ugliest of trees. All summer its small nondistinctive leaves dissatisfy. Finally dropping in early Fall, it leaves a sad-looking trunk with barren branches. But early Spring it is beautiful. It is one of the first signs that Winter’s gloom is over, and for a few short weeks its lovely blossoms brighten our world.
Simeon had his cherry blossom time. Lead by Spirit, Simeon goes to The Temple. He is a witness, to the world of his day and to our world today, of something extraordinary.
The following is from GotQuestions. com.
“Simeon spoke to Mary, Jesus’s mother. Simeon said, ‘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 2:34). In this prophecy, Simeon said that 1) some of the Jewish people would believe that Jesus is the “consolation of Israel,” and some would not, 2) there would be much opposition to Jesus in the future, 3) Jesus would reveal the truth, and 4) Jesus’s suffering would cause Mary much pain, personally.
“Simeon stands as a testimony of how we, too, should anticipate the arrival of the Messiah. Simeon looked forward to Christ’s first coming, and we anticipate His second coming (see Acts 1:11 and Titus 2:13).
“Jesus, the “consolation of Israel,” is the comfort of all those who believe in Him, and Simeon is a beacon of faith in an unbelieving world and a positive assurance that “hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5, NASB).
LORD Bless, Keep, Shine…
Jonah’s Song 