These are the words of Simeon, spoken over baby Jesus. Simeon never saw Jesus perform a miracle or heard Jesus preach a sermon. But by faith, he declares that “He is the Light of the world.” In this testimony, we learn three things about Messiah.
First, Messiah reveals. We live in a world of darkness, a world that has little understanding of reality. For those who are outside of Christ, this darkness is Sin. But we can be in Christ and still dwell in darkness. For us, darkness is our choice to shut the light of Christ out in our living, to walk gallantly through life in our own strength with a complete disregard to the light of Christ that is available to us.
If we are in darkness—regardless of how we got to be in darkness—then we need Light to chase the darkness away. And Simeon declares that Jesus is that Light.
Then, Messiah glorifies. Simeon praised God that Jesus was, “the glory of Your people.” Glory refers to God’s perfection; that which makes Christ holy. The Light of Jesus justifies us—that is, it covers our imperfections.
John agrees: “The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish (John 1:14).” In Jesus, we have One who glorifies—Strength in our weakness, Redemption from our unworthiness.
Finally, Messiah prevails. Simeon declares that this Child is, “God-revealing light” and “God’s salvation.” Light prevails over darkness. Light erases darkness. Light has drawing power that darkness doesn’t have.
Messiah is about Light prevailing over the darkness of human weakness and willfulness and wickedness, and drawing men and women. And our charge is to hold up the Light.
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