“Waiting for Redemption”
Following the story that we read yesterday, the scene becomes very serious. Simeon sees something prophetically in this baby boy. He sees that this child carries a heavy purpose. He will be responsible for the downfall and rise of many, and will be a sign that is opposed.
The redemption that Jesus brings requires those who hear it to make a decision: do we humbly receive His love and salvation or do we pridefully choose our own way? One option leads us to redemption and freedom; the other to our destruction. Choosing our own way inevitably leads to our downfall. But there is hope for those who receive His love and salvation! By humbly admitting that we have sinned and turned away from God, and recognizing that Jesus bore our iniquities and sins on the cross, we are redeemed from them.
The good news of Jesus is that God loves us and has done the hard work to redeem us. Jesus is what the world has been waiting for! As we celebrate His birth, we also recognize His destiny was to redeem us all at the cost of His own life – we see God’s steadfast love for us in the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus. You are loved, you are enough!
Scriptures
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 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 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
4 Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.