Most people aren’t naturally wired to say they can die in peace. One has to experience something profound to mouth those words! But that’s precisely what Simeon said as he held baby Jesus in his arms. He said to God, “Let your servant die in peace” (Luke 2:29).
The righteous man’s response leads to a question: What exactly had Simeon seen Jesus do? The answer: nothing. There’s no indication that Jesus performed a miracle of some kind at His tender age, nor was there a nativity-like chorus of angels overhead. He probably seemed like an ordinary baby, and little more. Yet Simeon said, “I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people” (Luke 2:30).
So why did Simeon react the way he did? This is explained in part by the ministry of the Holy Spirit. For it was the Spirit that brought Jesus to Simeon and revealed His true identity (the long-awaited Messiah) to the old man (Luke 2:25-26).
What a great reminder that we need the Spirit to help us see Jesus clearly! But, in addition, I think Simeon responded the way he did because he had been faithful his entire life and truly knew God. Luke labeled him as both “righteous and devout,” and being a man of God, he knew that He is good and loving (Luke 2:25). So God’s servant would surely be good and loving as well. Because Simeon trusted the Giver, he was able to see the Gift (Jesus) for what He truly was!
In order for us to recognize God’s good gifts, we need to focus not only on the gift itself, but on the character of the One who gives it. And if we have faith in a good, wise, and powerful Father, then surely we can trust that whatever He gives will be wonderfully good as well!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 2 Peter 1:2-21
More:
Read Luke 11:1-13 and James 1:17 for additional reminders of what kind of gift-giver our great God is.
Next:
Have you ever received something from God that didn’t seem to be a gift? Was there some way that “gift” did indeed end up being a blessing? For what gifts that He has given will you praise God today?
Ruth O'reilly-smith on December 24, 2014 at 5:02 am
This is such a beautiful reminder Peter – knowing God through Jesus Christ is not of ourselves…”For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up (John 6:44). And it is the Holy Spirit who draws us to the Father through Jesus Christ. “For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.” (Romans 8:16).
Gary Shultz on December 24, 2014 at 6:51 am
Thank you, and may we all see this Jesus this Christmas. May the Spirit pull us from the rush of the day to see our salvation and the hope He brings. May your Christmas be filled with the promise of God’s peace.
Mike Wittmer on December 24, 2014 at 5:06 pm
Great point about how we living determining how we die. We need to learn to live in the peace of God if we hope to die in peace.
daisymarygoldr on December 24, 2014 at 7:23 pm
What exactly had Simeon experienced to mouth those words? Simeon experienced the Holy Spirit that revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah (Luke 2:25). So the “something profound” was God’s sure promise to Simeon that he will see what many prophets and righteous people longed to see but didn’t see.
The coming of Christ into the world didn’t just occur by happenstance. Everything concerning Christ Jesus was written in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and in the Psalms; everyone in Israel was expecting the Messiah to come soon. Jesus Christ was sent as a sign from God destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but He was a joy to many others who received Him. Since Simeon was able to see the Savior who came to save people from their sins, he had every reason to rest/die in peace.
The Holy Spirit has revealed to us—the Church, everything that was kept hidden throughout the ages. Although our physical eyes have not seen Jesus, by faith we have received Him and praise God for the gift of eternal life that He has given to us through His Son. Being confident of our salvation, we do not grieve as the world does when our loved ones die. For, we have the hope of His sure promise that when Jesus comes again, God will bring back with Him the believers who have died. And we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
Just like the first advent, the second coming of Jesus Christ is also not some secret event. Jesus clearly told His disciples about the signs associated with His return and warns us with these words: “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. When all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near…”