Luke 2:25-35
Suggested further reading: Ephesians 2:11-22
Some Jewish believers, like Simeon, had a clear view of Christ’s person and work even before the gospel was preached! The scribes and the Pharisees of his day would have been better taught if they had listened to him about the future for both Jews and Gentiles.
Christ is light to the Gentiles. Without Him they are trapped in spiritual darkness and gross behavior. Even their wisest thinkers are utterly ignorant in spiritual things. So, the gospel of Christ was like a sunrise to the whole heathen world, changing their darkness into light.
Christ is also the glory of Israel. Beginning with Abraham, followed by the covenants, the promises, the law of Moses, the divinely ordered temple service—Israel was blessed with great spiritual blessings. But all of them put together were nothing compared to the fact that out of Israel, Jesus the Savior of the world, was born and whose death would make atonement for the sins of the world.
As great as these two blessings are, the prophetic words of old Simeon reveal a yet fuller fulfillment. The light which he saw by faith, as he held the child Jesus in his arms, shall yet shine so brightly that all the nations of the Gentile world shall see it. The glory of that Jesus whom Israel crucified shall one day be revealed so clearly to the scattered Jews that, as the prophet Zechariah said, they shall look on Him whom they pierced and repent and be converted. The day shall come, says the Apostle Paul, when the veil shall be taken away from the heart of Israel and all shall see the Lord in His full glory. If Christ be the light and glory of our souls, that day cannot come too soon when faith becomes sight. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Lanny Tanton is the Pastor at The Bible Church of the Lakes in Horseshoe Bay, Texas – just outside of Marble Falls. Pastor Tanton welcomes you to our website and hopes that you’ll enjoy reading these insightful blog posts. Please contact us if you have further questions!!
