Encounter the Messiah

Merry Christmas! What a joy it is to reflect upon the glorious, good news of the coming of Jesus to this earth. The details surrounding his advent are so fascinating! When reading the story of Jesus’ coming, it is essential to keep in mind that the people of Israel were under Roman rule and, because of this, they were anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Messiah who would deliver them from the tyranny they were facing.

One part of this intriguing narrative that has always captivated me is that of a man named Simeon. At the time of Jesus’ arrival, there was a righteous and devout man called Simeon, who was instructed by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he saw the Lord’s Christ. When he saw him, he was thoroughly convinced he was witnessing the foretold Messiah!

Luke 2:25-33 Now, there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26  It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27  Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28  Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29  “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30  For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31  which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32  a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” 33  The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 

Simeon was so overjoyed by seeing and experiencing the Christ that he publicly declared that he was now ready to die. My imagination runs wild as I ponder what it must have been like to experience the power of that moment! I can almost feel what was going through his mind at that time. This man was overcome with awe because he knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, he was experiencing the foretold Messiah that would save the world from their sin. Wow!

Just as the Jews were waiting for a Messiah to deliver them from the tyrannical rule of Rome, so today, people are longing for deliverance from the oppressive rule of sin, condemnation, and failure coming from the law. Jesus’ advent was not to deliver the Jews from the Romans but rather to deliver the entire world from the death grip of the knowledge of good and evil (the law). Just as Simeon experienced the Messiah, people from every nation, tribe, and language can now encounter the wonder of Jesus through faith. Only in Christ can people experience freedom from the tyranny of the law and enter into the beauty of being loved, forgiven, and free.

Rom 8:1-2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

Though many don’t understand or acknowledge it, the celebration of Christmas is the proclamation that there is freedom and deliverance available right now for anyone who will believe! The coming and subsequent sacrifice of Jesus is a powerful declaration of God’s profound love for humanity! How desperately people need to know that God truly loves them and wants to be intimate with them both now and throughout eternity! Simeon knew it, and God wants both you and this entire world to bask in its truth!

God longs for you to experience his ever-increasing glorious life of liberty and joy! As I pray for you today, I am asking that, like Simon, your heart would swell with joy as you behold the Lord’s Christ. May the revelation of Jesus’ coming bring peace and rest to your heart! May you know how valuable you are and how deeply you are loved and treasured! My dear partner in Christ, I love you, and I am praying for you today! I am asking God that you would, like Simeon,…

Encounter the Messiah