MONDAY December 28, 2020

The Consolation of Israel

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
Luke 2:25

Simeon was just––his life was governed by God’s high standard of justice. Therefore, in the eyes of the Lord, he was righteous. Simeon was also a very devout man, and he displayed a godly respect for the things of God. Simeon was a true example of a man who feared God.

Simeon patiently waited for the “Consolation of Israel,” a name used for Christ, the long-awaited Messiah. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord’s Christ. We do not know how long Simeon waited, but he was led into the temple by the Holy Spirit at the perfect time to see the Child Jesus.

When Joseph and Mary brought the Child into the temple to present Him to the Lord according to the law (Luke 2:22-24), Simeon’s greatest desire was fulfilled. God had kept His promise to Simeon––he saw with his very own eyes the Lord’s Christ. Simeon held the Child in his arms and prophesied that not only was the Christ Child given for the comfort and salvation of Israel, but He would be a light to the Gentile nations as well:

“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; 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 2:29-32).

Simeon blessed the family and spoke directly to Mary about Jesus’ destiny. He told her of a time in her life when a sword of sorrow would pierce through her––to her very soul (Luke 2:34-35). Simeon spoke of the Cross and the death of Christ. Yet through the Cross there would be the hope of forgiveness. Sinners can be forgiven and reconciled to God.

Release! Signed in tears, sealed in blood, written on heavenly parchment, recorded in eternal archives. The black ink of the indictment is written all over with the red ink of the cross: ‘the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin.’
~T. De Witt Talmage~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!