Saturday 02 February 2008
- Bible Book:
- Luke
"Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." (v.29-32)
Background
In the Church, today is Candlemas - the day we remember theritual purification of Mary and the presentation of the baby Jesusto God at the Temple in Jerusalem. It was part of the Jewishtradition that women were considered unclean after the birth of achild, and must be purified so that they could fully enter intopublic worship again.
When Jesus is brought to Jerusalem, Simeon, a man at the Temple,immediately recognises that this was the one he'd been waiting for- the salvation of God. God had promised that Simeon would witnessthe dawning of a new era, and finally it had come.
This was no ordinary child, Simeon says. Jesus would be a "lightfor revelation" not just for the Jews who had been waiting for him,but to everyone - male, female, old and young, Jew and Gentile.Some readers might be reminded here of Paul's words in his letterto the Galatians:
So who is Jesus for? Everyone. Simeon is the first personin Luke's Gospel to speak of the baby Jesus in this way. TheMessiah, a traditionally Jewish figure, was coming not only for hisown people, those to whom he was born, but to all people. To thosenot chosen. To those not considered. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus'ministry speaks of hope for the marginalized - a guiding light forthose in darkness.
To Ponder
Has God ever made a promise to you? Do you thinkGod always keeps his promises?
Can you imagine how Simeon might have felt,holding the saviour of the world in a little bundle in hisarms?