We don't think of people in Jesus time as having bucket lists, but they certainly did. They likely did not have a term for what we now refer to as a bucket list, but they were people just as we are, with desires, hopes, dreams, and plans.
Simeon, righteous and devout, was told by the Holy Spirit he would not die before seeing the Lord Christ. For many yeas he waited and prayed for the comfort Israel would know once the Messiah arrived. On the day Joseph and Mary delivered Jesus to the Temple to be consecrated to the Lord according to the Law of the Lord (Exodus 13: 2, 12) Simeon was moved by the Spirit to go to the Temple Courts. We have all been in situations when we did something or went somewhere because we had a feeling or felt lead in a special way. As Simeon viewed Mary and Joseph approaching with the baby Jesus in their arms, we can only imagine the joy and relief he felt in his heart knowing he was right where he was supposed to be at that moment. Simeon greeted them knowing exactly who Jesus was and why he was there. He took the baby into his arms and praised God.
Simeon identified Jesus as the promise and proclaimed the salvation of the world as he dismissed himself from the world in peace as a servant of the Lord.
An honorable man indeed, to be offered such a privilege. As we think about our bucket list, and/or the things we hope to experience or accomplish before meeting our maker they cannot in any way compare. Once accomplished Simeon was able to leave this world peacefully knowing the Messiah had arrived and the salvation of the world was at hand.
How will we leave this world?
Read/Listen to Luke 2: 21-40
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