Hope in His Arms

 

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:25-32 ESV).

 

If you are participating in the practice of the Advent Wreath, you will know that the first candle you have lit was a reminder of the hope in the birth of Jesus. Our reading today gives us a marvelous insight into the hope of Jesus in the life of this man we know as Simeon. When Jesus was about six weeks old, Simeon, then an old man, cradled him in his arms. In some ways that seems such an ordinary thing to do. It’s what many of us want to do with a little baby. We would be tempted to hold the bundle of new life close, to hear the breath, to feel the warmth, to gaze into the bright, wondering eyes.

 

The old man has high hopes for this helpless baby. Somehow this baby will shine with glory amid his own people, Israel. And he will be the way out of darkness for all peoples (cf. Genesis 12:3). He will be salvation from God, salvation so desperately needed in a world of sin and sorrow.

 

These hopes and expectations did not come to Simeon out of nowhere. The Spirit of God had been speaking in his heart, giving him hope that he would see the Messiah, the King of Israel. And when the Spirit prompted him, he went to the temple. And there he saw a baby, just a baby. But instantly the old man knew. He knew that God’s great rescue plan centered on this child. He knew that somehow this powerless infant, who couldn’t talk or walk yet, would be the answer to the world’s greatest need. The great wonder of it is that this child is still the answer today!