Advent is Over...But We're Still Longing

Luke 2:21-32

Today’s story is an interesting one—not one that you hear about very often. It is just a small piece of the arc of redemption, a hint of hope for the future, and foretelling of the salvation to come. In this passage we meet Simeon, a man who has been waiting for Israel’s savior. In fact, he has been told by God that he will meet the savior at some point in his life. So when Jesus is brought to the temple, Simeon is inspired by the Spirit to go and he meets Jesus. The praises that Simeon utters at this moment are so moving to me,

 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

Simeon feels total and complete peace and joy, because there is hope for the world right there in his arms. The waiting is over, the longing is ended—the next chapter is beginning at last.

Advent is over. Christmas is over. We waited, we celebrated, so now what? This next month can sometimes feel so flat or motionless as we struggle to get going into next year. And the difficult part of it is this: the season of Advent is over, but we are still waiting. We are still longing. We are still anticipating Jesus to come and redeem a world that seems so lost and hopeless. We are in the already of Jesus’ saving grace, and the not yet of his returning promise. So as we move forward out of this time, ask yourself: how is God showing up for me right here, right now? There might be things you are waiting for, things you’ve asked God for and he’s said, “Not yet, dear one.” But how is God meeting you exactly where you are and cradling you, like Simeon cradled baby Jesus in the temple on that day two thousand years ago? Though we still have longing and waiting, Jesus is in our midst to guide us through.

Reflect:

How is God showing up for you, meeting you exactly where you are?

What are you waiting or longing for, and how is God answering that longing? Seek his true answers, not answers that you want or feel like you deserve. Ask God to show you his will.

Luke 2: 21-40

Bucket List 

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

Luke 2:21-32

I wonder if some folks, who don't yet have a relationship with Jesus, think He is not for them.  Could there be some who think Jesus only came to save a chosen few and that He couldn't possibly care about everyone on earth?  I am not sure what I thought before I came to faith; perhaps I didn't think anything.

There is one thing that will get the attention of people and that is often a baby.  Men and women alike will post comments when a picture of a friend's baby is posted.  Why is that?  What do babies represent for us?  Babies are innocent, unblemished and dependent.  They won't hurt us, challenge our actions, or desert us in our time of need.

When Jesus entered this world and our lives, He arrived as a baby so we could love Him before we believed who He was.  But, there were a few who understood His significance, a chosen few to whom God revealed the Truth. Simeon was one of these people and he recognized Jesus the moment he laid eyes on Him.  Simeon knew Jesus was the Messiah, and that God had fulfilled His promised.

Oh, to be able to recognize Jesus every time He steps into my path.  If I would act out my faith, and trust that Jesus will take care of me, I could sleep better at night.  I need the faith of Simeon to put all my trust in God.

Luke 2:30-32 (NIV)
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."

Read Luke 2:21-32 here
Listen to Luke 2:21-32 here