The End of Me
Luke 2:25-38 shines a light on two people that often go unmentioned in biblical history, Simeon and the Prophetess Anna. Both experienced an incredible moment of meeting the Lord Jesus as an infant, seemingly near the end of their lives. What stands out to me in verse twenty eight of Luke 2 is the gladness, praise, and joy Simeon has as he holds Jesus in his arms.
At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.” Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four.[a] She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem. - Luke 2:25-38
In verse twenty six, the Holy Spirit promised Simeon he would not die before he saw the Messiah. The stories of Simeon and Anna speak to this truth so well, often where we end is where God begins. It’s not necessarily the physical end of our lives but the end of our striving to experience the fulfillment of God's promise. Like Simeon and Anna we can walk in joyful expectation by holding onto the Word of God and allowing that to produce our joyful devotion to Him.
Simeon saw fulfillment of the promise near the end of his life. Anna gave the greatest prophetic message she had ever given after seeing Christ Jesus. Their enduring joy and devotion positioned them to see a child that would change history as we know it. Let that be our goal and prayer to come to the end of ourselves and walk in the true fruit of joy. This fruit is developed by the Spirit in patient obedience.
Maybe this Advent season is a reminder of unresolved grief or unmet expectations, bitter endings or a new normal. We must remember that enduring joy is the fruit of a work done by the Holy Spirit and kindled by our deep abiding relationship with Him.
PRAYER/APPLICATION:
“Lord Jesus, lead me to the end of myself. I know You love me, and I know You see me. Thank You for walking with me according to Your promise. Thank You for strengthening me in patient obedience to You. Amen.”
At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.” Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four.[a] She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem. - Luke 2:25-38
In verse twenty six, the Holy Spirit promised Simeon he would not die before he saw the Messiah. The stories of Simeon and Anna speak to this truth so well, often where we end is where God begins. It’s not necessarily the physical end of our lives but the end of our striving to experience the fulfillment of God's promise. Like Simeon and Anna we can walk in joyful expectation by holding onto the Word of God and allowing that to produce our joyful devotion to Him.
Simeon saw fulfillment of the promise near the end of his life. Anna gave the greatest prophetic message she had ever given after seeing Christ Jesus. Their enduring joy and devotion positioned them to see a child that would change history as we know it. Let that be our goal and prayer to come to the end of ourselves and walk in the true fruit of joy. This fruit is developed by the Spirit in patient obedience.
Maybe this Advent season is a reminder of unresolved grief or unmet expectations, bitter endings or a new normal. We must remember that enduring joy is the fruit of a work done by the Holy Spirit and kindled by our deep abiding relationship with Him.
PRAYER/APPLICATION:
“Lord Jesus, lead me to the end of myself. I know You love me, and I know You see me. Thank You for walking with me according to Your promise. Thank You for strengthening me in patient obedience to You. Amen.”
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