COV LIFE BLOG

Advent 2015 – Luke 2:25-35 – A Light for the Nations

HEART PREPARATION
Simeon explicitly says that this baby will not only be the glory of his own people Israel. He will also be the light of revelation for the Gentiles. He’s not just for Israel. He didn’t come just for their benefit. He came to shine a light of the revelation of God into every nation, every tribe, every kindred and every tongue. The Jews couldn’t say, “He belongs to us and you can’t have him.” Nor could they say, “You have to become a Jew to enjoy Messiah’s benefits.” No! Doubtless that’s what some Jews expected. But Simeon’s words explode forever that narrow nationalism.

He’s the Savior of the whole world. Rich and poor, young and old, black and white, Jew and Gentile, American and Japanese, healthy and handicapped. All people are included in his coming. He didn’t come for a small group. He came for the whole wide world. “Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight.”

It’s true that our Lord was a Jew. But he didn’t come just for the Jews.

He met a Samaritan woman at the well, and he forgave her.

He met a Roman centurion and said, “I have not found such great faith in all of Israel.”

He met a Syrophoenician woman and healed her daughter.

When he was crucified, it was a Roman centurion who said, “Surely this was the Son of God.”

In all of this, Simeon is telling us something crucial. By sending his Son to the earth, he is not only fulfilling his promises to the nation. He is also bringing to the world a Savior for all people everywhere.

Ray Pritchard

SCRIPTURE FOR REFLECTION
Psalm 98:2-3
The Lord has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered His lovingkindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Isaiah 60:1-3
“Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. “For behold, darkness will cover the earth And deep darkness the peoples; But the Lord will rise upon you And His glory will appear upon you. “Nations will come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.

MEDITATION ON THE SERMON PASSAGE
Read Luke 2:25-35.

Notice in verse 32 that Simeon references Isaiah’s prophecy that the Messiah will be for all the nations. God’s purpose in sending his Son was always for the sake of all the nations. As you see God’s eternally global purpose, how is your heart turned to those of all nations during this season?

SONG FOR THIS WEEK
He Has Come For Us by Meredith Andrews