Mine Eyes Have Seen Thy Salvation - Part 585

In Jerusalem, there was a just and devout man named Simeon. So devout that God's holy spirit was upon him. At the time, as elaborated in Luke chapter two, it had been revealed to him that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord's Christ.

And thus, he came by the Spirit into the temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he up in his arms and blessed God and said, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy Word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. A light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel."

Simeon's comments were so moving that even Joseph and the mother of Jesus marveled at those things which were spoken.

Matthew Henry in his concise commentary described the scene with Simeon in this fashion: "The same Spirit that provided for the support of Simeon's hope provided for his joy ... a confession of [Simeon's] faith, that this child in his arms was the Saviour, the salvation itself, the salvation of God's appointing. He bids farewell to this world. [Indeed] how poor does this world looks to one that has Christ in his arms, and salvation in his view. See here how comfortable is the death of a good man; he departs in peace with God, peace with his own conscience."

Simeon was not going to be blinded by the minds of them which believed not. Neither would he be swayed in his confidence that Almighty God -- the King of the Jews -- would offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins.

Simeon would not be sidetracked by those who refused to let the light of the glorious gospel of Christ -- who is the image of God -- shine unto them. For he knew, like the apostles later that God "who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (II Corinthians 4:6)

This is why "we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us ... For this cause we faint not but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (II Corinthians 4:6-18)

That exceeding and eternal weight of glory because Jesus, even in His youth waxed strong in spirit. Filled with wisdom. The grace of God was upon Him. Yes, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me." (Revelation 3:20) Ask Jesus into your heart today. Stand in the offering plate.