Faithful on Fridays Blog

Forty days after that astounding birth of Jesus Christ life must go on as Mary and Joseph appear in Jerusalem for the ceremony of purification. It wasn’t just any day, it was a day of destiny; two prophets were waiting.

Waiting for what? Waiting for the intimate, yet urgent call of God to deliver His message to Israel. Simeon, a righteous and God-fearing man, received revelation from the Spirit that he wouldn’t die until he held the Lord’s Christ: The Anointed One. Simeon led a Spirit-filled life as he waited and received an amazing reward.

As forerunners the magi had followed the light being led by the Spirit and now God’s Word was declared over this divine Child: Jesus the Rescuer. Simeon used God’s name (Luke 2:29-32) Adonai, the Lord who is mighty and powerful, the Master and Ruler of all, and he gazed at the Messiah in his arms. His waiting time was over; the Light of the World had arrived.

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Psalms 27:14 

Simeon prophesied that his eyes were looking at the Rescuer, Yeshua (in Hebrew), God’s salvation for His people but now the prophecy became inclusive; the Gentiles, non-Jews, were included in this salvation. Can it be true? Yes: He is Savior to all.

“… a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.” Luke 2:32 

Unbelievable. God was including all nations in salvation, not just His Chosen ones? Mary and Joseph were awe-struck, is that even possible?

Yes, God covenanted with Abraham thousands of years before saying,

… in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Gen. 12:3b

It wasn’t by accident that another prophet, Anna, entered the scene. She was also waiting, heard Simeon’s declaration, and came into agreement with God’s Word. That alignment with the prophetic Word catapulted her own preaching ministry. And so it began; the miracle or sign of the gospel would reach into the nations. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, had appeared.

However, that’s not the end of the story. As the Messiah, God’s Anointed One, lived, died, and rose again we’re back in that same place of waiting.

… until the day dawns and the Morning Star rises in your hearts. 2 Peter 1:19b 

Our Savior, Rescuer, and Redeemer is coming back and we’re also waiting. The Morning Star is a name for Jesus that indicates He’ll rise up in our midst again, a second time, and His goal will be reached: He will rule as King. We have the promise of a kingdom that never ends as we rule and reign with Him. We wait for personal promises from God to be fulfilled, as Simeon did, but let’s not lose heart or forget the greatest promise of all. 

… waiting for our Blessed Hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Titus 2:13