Light and glory
At the time of Jesus' birth, more than 2000 years ago, a God-fearing man named Simeon lived in Jerusalem. He had received a promise from the Holy Spirit that he would not die before his eyes had seen the Lord's Christ. The promise was fulfilled: "And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought the child Jesus into the temple to do with him as was the custom of the law" (Luke 13:14). 2,27).
When Simeon saw the child, he took Jesus in his arms and praised God. At that moment he realized that God's promise had been fulfilled: “Lord, now you are releasing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all nations, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel” (Luke 1:12). 2,29-32).
Simeon realized: Jesus came to earth not only as the Messiah to the glory of Israel, but also to make his Father visible through him and to reveal his boundless grace and love to all people. The prophet Isaiah had already announced this worldwide dimension of salvation: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the dispersed of Israel. But I have also made you a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 4).9,6).
Israel is and remains God's chosen people. God called them out from all other nations and set them apart as his special possession through his covenant. The Messiah of Israel came not only for the salvation of Israel, but for the salvation of all nations. Therein lies the depth of the praise that Simeon sings, a praise that many scribes, Pharisees, and teachers of the law in his time did not understand. Isaiah also foretold this: “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I have created you and appointed you as a covenant for the people, a light for the Gentiles, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring captives out of the prison, and those sitting in darkness out of the dungeon” (Isaiah 4).2,6-7).
Jesus Christ brings reconciliation with God for all creation—for all sinners, no matter where they live, and even for God's enemies. Paul summarizes this as follows: “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him (Jesus), and through him to reconcile to him all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:16). 1,19-20).
In Christ we have peace with God. Our salvation therefore does not depend on our own efforts. The burden of sin does not rest on our shoulders because Christ has borne it. Out of his unwavering love, he invites us to entrust to him everything that burdens us: the guilt of our past, our fears and pain, our disappointments and inner conflicts, even our doubts. In his unconditional grace, he gives us a new life and a new beginning. The account of Simeon concludes with a reference to the later life of Jesus: “When they had fulfilled everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child (Jesus) grew and became strong and full of wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him” (Luke 13:16). 2,39-40).
by Joseph Tkach
