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 realizes that the promise he had received for the Lord has been fulfilled. He can now rest. He has probably been waiting for years. He has gone to the Temple countless times hoping it would be the day Messiah would arrive to be dedicated. And that long awaited day arrived. I hear in his words that some of these years have been hard. He is longing for peace. He wants rest. I imagine that he is very old and has struggle with some physical limitations in connection to his old age. Have you ever known an older person who just wanted to allow death to happen so they could be at peace? I have met many who reached this stage. Simeon’s life was a full one. And now he had seen God’s provision for salvation. What more could he ask for? This is a provision which is out in the open. The Gospel promise is one that is open to everyone and can be understood by anyone. National boundaries don’t matter. The Gospel knows no boundary of any kind. The Gospel will be enlightening for those who have lived in darkness. It will provide the light which the Jews have experienced. God worked through the Jews. They had seen the miracles God performed in and among His people. But the Jews had failed to bring that message to the Gentiles. They had over time restricted access to the promises through manmade restrictions. Now in Jesus Simeon acknowledges that the restrictions have been eliminated. The Light of the World had arrived. No longer would God’s light only shine through the Jews. Now anyone could be a vessel through whom God would shine. Simeon was ready for God’s presence. Are you?
The Arnold Journey 