Project 119: Heaven and Nature Sing | Luke 2:22-40
| Project 119 | Joel Burks
Reading for Sunday, December 6: Luke 2:22-40
Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
-"Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus"
In this passage in Luke, we see Mary and Joseph traveling to Jerusalem to perform rites for women after childbirth and to present Jesus in the temple, both prescribed in the law of Moses. Jesus would have been no more than a few weeks old at the time of this journey. To be honest, I can’t imagine going on a road trip today with an infant, let alone traveling that distance by camel!
Upon their arrival in Jerusalem, they are met by an older man described as one who is devout, a man named Simeon. Simeon, being devout, would have been aware of the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7), a covenant between God and King David. In the Lord’s words to David, He promises that David’s descendants would always sit on the throne; the Lord also says that He will establish the kingdom of David’s offspring. At the time, this promise immediately referred to Solomon, but ultimately it pointed to Jesus. The people of Israel knew of this covenant and longed for the day when their rightful king would arrive. I imagine that this covenant may have even brought hope at times when it seemed that all hope was lost.
Now we find Simeon, sitting at the temple, “awaiting Israel’s consolation” (Luke 2:25 NIV). Led there by the Spirit, this was the moment Simeon had waited for his entire life. Upon seeing Joseph and Mary, Simeon lifts the child up in his arms. Matthew Henry says of the moment, “How poor does this world look to one that has Christ in his arms, and salvation in his view!” (Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry Complete Bible Commentary). Simeon lifts the child and begins to offer praises to God. In these praises, the verse that stands out to me is where Simeon compares Jesus to a light:
“...which You have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of Your people Israel” (Luke 2:31-32 NIV).
Notice for whom the light is sent, though: this light is not exclusively for the Jews, but for the Gentiles as well! Simeon recognized that Jesus did not come to this world for the few, devout followers of the Jewish faith, ready to conquer those who were not part of ethnic Israel: Gentiles had access to this light as well. In verse 34, Simeon even recognizes that Jesus will reveal the hearts of many. Some would love Jesus, and some would turn their backs on Him.
As we seek Jesus this Advent, we should constantly try to see Jesus through Simeon’s eyes, as a light for all, not for some, as fulfillment of the Scripture, and as salvation manifested in human flesh. Simeon felt peace after being near Jesus and realizing His importance. I pray that we all find rest in Jesus this season, just as Simeon did. Amen.