“When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord… There was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. He came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
“And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.'” Luke 2:22,25-35
The angels’ announcement of the great joy of Jesus’s birth is soon followed by the prophet’s pronouncement of His role as consolation of Israel. Both brought marveling at this promised One. Revealed and announced by the Holy Spirit of God Himself, the Christ would usher in salvation and light and glory and redemption before only anticipated, as well as disruption and opposition. Simeon beheld, held, and blessed the child Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s word in flesh. (Luke 2:36-38; John 1:1-5,9-14)
The indescribable Gift has come to us. He has served as Savior, accomplishing once for all the justice due us, and lives risen, ascended, and glorified as our Spirit-pulsing, ever-interceding Consolation. Today, anticipation is reality as we behold and hold and trust Him. By faith we know Him walking beside us along our way, and in circumstances and changes He orders. The promised One is ever-present. (Romans 8:34; 2 Corinthians 9:15; Hebrews 7:25; 10:11)
Are there particular areas or situations where we’re bereft of consolation? Is there nagging doubt, niggling fear, pestering jealousy or resentment? Are we bowed beneath weighty grief or regret? The Lord Jesus applied is a salve to every rough condition, every untoward thought, every pain. Do we take Him at His word?
Where do we continue on in practices He came to redeem, making shameful excuses? Would we instead bless Him for abiding with us today?
“Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.” ~Charles Wesley (1744)
Lord, cheer my soul and ignite my worship with Your consolations. (Psalm 94:19)
As the rain and snow 