It had been four hundred years since there had been a prophet in Israel.
The nation was now under the rule of King Herod and under the thumb of the mighty Roman Empire. They were a long way from King David and the glories of Solomon’s reign. The ruling class in the priesthood preached a doctrine of legalism. They had forsaken the truth of God’s way of salvation of grace through faith found in the law and the prophets.
But in Jerusalem, there lived a man named Simeon, and he was grieving. He mourned over the sinfulness of his countrymen. He grieved over the condition of the nation. He was disturbed and troubled over the state of his own soul. There was no solace in possible political reform or military upheaval against Rome. There was no comfort in Herod’s reign or the temple he built, because the longer Herod lived, the more cruel and wicked he became. As the Pharisees, Scribes, and Sadducees jockeyed for position and power, and as the politicians maneuvered back and forth for power, Simeon, a devout man of God, was growing old and looking for his only hope, the “consolation of Israel” (Luke2:25).
The Old Testament promised a time of blessing when the Messiah came. All Jews longed for the promised epoch when Israel would be a land of blessing where swords would be beat into plowshares, and spears into pruning-hooks. They dreamed of the time when they would be free, when the wolf would dwell with the lamb and there would be peace in Israel.
Simeon knew this consolation was not a time, but a person. Until that person came, there was no hope. Simeon knew all the nations of Earth would be blessed through the seed of Abraham. He knew that the Seed of David would sit on the throne in Jerusalem and have an everlasting kingdom. He knew that the servant of Jehovah would be wounded for our transgressions and be acquainted with our grief.
Simeon had hope in the consolation of Israel – the Christ. His soul longed to see the Lord and nothing else would satisfy that longing. Our consolation, our comfort, our hope is found in Christ Jesus the Lord as well. Everyone wants to go to Heaven, but very few want Christ. Everybody wants to be free from pain and to live in peace forever with friends and loved ones, but on their own terms. Everyone wants the blessings Jesus provides, just without Jesus.
But, Simeon was right. Our only consolation is found in Christ. As Simeon laid eyes on Jesus for the first time he 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 (Luke 2:29-32 ).”
Simeon was ready to die because he had seen Jesus.
Can you say that?
