Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.
Luke 2:29-32
Over the last couple of weeks, we reflected on our understanding of God. Part of a proper understanding of God is an understanding of his holiness and our sinfulness.
Sin is a not a new problem, it is as old as creation itself dating back to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. (Read here) The introduction of sin changed this world in three ways. The first was a barrier between man and God. Man was expelled from Eden where he once walked with God in a close relationship. (Genesis 3:24) The blessing of that close relationship was removed and instead of work being a pleasure it became hard and difficult. (Genesis 3:17-19) The final impact sin had on the world was that God made a promise.
It was the serpent who deceived Adam and Eve (although this did not diminish their own personal responsibility for their actions). God’s promise was in the form of a warning to the snake and hope for mankind. ‘You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head and you will strike his heel.’ (Genesis 3:14-15)
In this promise God was saying that one day the woman would have an offspring who would stand against the serpent. That although the serpent would strike out against him still, he would crush the serpents head. This is a promise that one day the damage of sin would be addressed, the author of sin would be destroyed. Jesus is the fulfilment of that promise.
Simeon held the infant Jesus in his arms and praised God because he understood the significance of Jesus arrival. A promise made at the beginning of time was being fulfilled. He understood salvation from sin had finally arrived.
Do we understand the significance of Jesus?
Prayer Lord Jesus thank you for how you have crushed the head of the serpent. Thank you that you are the long-promised salvation, the light to Gentiles like me, the revelation of the Father – thank you that you are the glory of the Father. Forgive me Lord for not always understanding your significance, importance, or your necessity for my life. Lord Jesus, may I praise you and worship you as Simeon did all those years ago. Amen