Luke 2:22-35 — Jesus is Salvation!

READ THIS: Luke 2:22-35

22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” 

25 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 on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 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 may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” 

33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

First, yup, you saw it....HOLY SPIRIT SIGHTING!! The Holy Spirit revealed to some random dude Simeon that he would see the Messiah before he died. The Jewish people knew from old prophecies in the Old Testament that there would be a savior. Most people were expecting an impressive warrior who would take down Rome...but Simeon sees little baby Jesus and knows that He's the Savior. Specifically, Simeon says, "my eyes have seen [God's] salvation." Fun fact: Jesus' name means, "God is salvation." Jesus came to save, and the Holy Spirit points that out, not just to Simeon, but also to Elizabeth, to Mary, and to us, today! Verse 32 says that Jesus is a light for Gentiles and is the glory of Israel. Jesus came for everyone, not just Jews, and He is the ultimate goodness that can come from the story of Israel. 

But, as it says in verses 34-35, even though Jesus came to save everyone, not everyone will believe in Him, and it will lead to some people lining themselves up against God while other people get to know God in a deeper way. 

One other fun fact for the day is about verses 22-24. In Leviticus 12, it lays out what sacrifices should occur after the birth of a baby. Technically, the sacrifice asked for was a lamb. Only if the family couldn't afford a lamb would they sacrifice two birds instead. The Savior of the World was born into a family who had to use the cheapest sacrifice. God's salvation isn't gained by bigger and better sacrifices. God's salvation is given to us despite our inability to give the perfect sacrifice. God's salvation is given to us the way a baby was given to Mary and Joseph. As a gift. Undeservedly. And that's what Simeon saw!

P.S. Salvation is a fancy word for the state of being saved! For us, Jesus is our salvation because His life/death/resurrection saves us from our sin and saves us in order to be able to live with God forever!

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. So, we're all Gentiles unless someone reading this was born into a Jewish family...which means Jesus is a light of revelation to us! What do you think that means?

2. Has the Holy Spirit helped you to see Jesus in some way before? 

TRY THIS:

Ask God to help you remember times when you've seen either His Holy Spirit or His salvation!