"For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel."
Luke 2:30
These were the words spoken by Simeon about 40 days after the birth of Christ, when Jesus was brought into the temple by His parents to fulfill the Jewish custom described in Leviticus 12.
Can you imagine carrying your newborn into the quiet of a temple and suddenly, a man approaches you and proclaims your son is The Messiah bringing Salvation to a nation?
During this Christmas Season, we must ask ourselves, why did He come?
According to Simeon, Jesus was a light, Jesus Is a Light, bringing revelation to the Gentiles, bringing light to us.
We were once aliens, once strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, without God...
"But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ...For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation..." Ephesians 2:13-14
Simeon goes on to say in Luke, now speaking directly to Mary,
"Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes a sword will pierce through your own soul also) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
This was no subtle statement spoken to Mary who was probably only a teenager.
Yes her Child would be the Peace of a lost nation, The Source of Reconciliation, but her Child would also be spoken against and cause the fall of many in Israel.
A Light shining in the darkness, exposing the hidden thoughts of many hearts ~ revealing the emptiness ~ revealing the corruption ~ revealing the hardness and pride that would ultimately bring death.
Fellow Sojourner ~ please do not allow Christs Light to ever push you into a corner of condemnation. For this was never His plan nor His intention. Only The Enemy would do such a thing.
Read His Word to you, study and praise Him as the scales fall from your eyes. As the conviction comes, fall on your face before Him ~ He will receive you with loving open arms. Receive healing and walk away, sinning no more.
"Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?
She said No one, Lord
And Jesus said to her, Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying 'I am The Light of The World. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have The Light of Life."
John 8:10-12
Jesus came as God's Chosen Deliverer. To rescue mankind from sin and death to enable them to experience eternal life to know a new quality and dimension of existense.
Jesus came to reconcile us to our Creator by bringing light into our lives.
As the light comes it will no doubt reveal darkness in our lives, but we musn't let the darkness drive us to despair. Let the darkness drive you to the restoration of The Light.
During this time, when we remember the Birth of Our Lord and Savior, draw near to Him and yet nearer still. Receive the peace that only He can offer. His arms are open wide, waiting for you, yes even longing for you to return to Him, your Abba Father.
