The Christmas story part 9: Luke 2 - Jesus presented in the Temple

Have you ever waited your entire life for something? The closest thing I can compare that to was making the basketball state finals while I was in high school. I grew up loving the game and knowing I would have my chance to make history for my school by going to state. In Indiana, that is a very big deal! When I was a junior in high school, it happened and we made the state finals in Indianapolis. I felt like I had waited my entire life for it. It was a small peak in my life though. It was not the end all, be all moment I thought it would be. Though it was very exciting, I no know there are other things worth waiting for.

We see that in the life of Simeon. He was promised that he would see the Christ before he died. Without question he was already advanced in age at this point in time. He had to wonder if God was going to fulfill his promise. Here in Luke 2 we see that that promise is fulfilled when Mary and Joseph bring the infant Jesus to the Temple.

25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace.
30For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
32a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel." – Luke 2:25-32

This had to be an incredibly special moment and honor for Simeon. We see another prophetess, Anna, have a similar moment in this section. It is key here that Simeon, though Jewish, believed that Jesus was destined to be a light of revelation for the gentiles. This was unusual at the time. It stepped away from what was normal, but it showed how extraordinary Jesus’ birth was.