Thursday, January 1, 2009
Luke 2:21-32

We made it! 2009…. Did you celebrate the ending of 2008 and the arrival of 2009? Celebrations are important to us human beings. They bring structure to our lives and make us pause from the “everydayness” to lift our hearts and voices in joy with one another.

Mary and Joseph were doing just that as they brought the infant Jesus to the temple when he was approximately one month old for consecration. That’s when it happened. An old man approached them. His name was Simeon. He is called a righteous man who had received a revelation that he would not die until he saw the Messiah.

It doesn’t say how long he’s been waiting but I can imagine him watching day after day those coming with their babies for consecration. Perhaps he goes to each one and with eager fingers pulls back the folds of the blanket revealing the baby’s face hoping to have a confirmation in his own spirit that at last the Messiah is among us. Each time, he is disappointed but he blesses each one. “He is a fine child.” May he have the strength of ten.” “May he have the courage of Elijah, the heart of David.” Each day he waits.

Joseph and Mary’s path is hindered by this dear man as he asks to hold their baby. Eagerly he reaches for the blanket and begins to pull back its folds. As he looks upon the infant face he knows….perhaps a lifetime of waiting for this moment….he knows….. Lifting both the infant Jesus and his own voice Simeon prays a prayer of praise and release.

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised let now your servant depart in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation….” Words from an old man with, for me at least, a profound message. Old Simeon would likely never live to see Jesus grow to be a man. He would never hear him teach, see him heal, or feed the multitudes. Simeon would not witness crucifixion nor glory in the resurrection, yet he could say it is enough that I have seen messiah among us.

We live in an imperfect world where the tenuous nature of good and the persistent nature of evil and all the shades of gray in between tend to make us cynical and sometimes fatalistic. Simeon I think had it right. If messiah is among us ultimately we can have a measure of peace. We do not grapple with the challenge of this world alone. Messiah is among us so let us live in hope and in the peace of a settled heart. Messiah will have the final say.

Prayer: May my celebrations be many and always include the faith that Messiah is among us. Amen.

Blessings,
Pastor Ken