Saviour of the World

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Simeon’s Prayer

12th – 13th December

Weekend Edition

““I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations and He is the glory of Your people Israel.”Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about Him.”

Luke 2: 30-33

Simeon’s prayer is another amazingly relevant and significant moment in both Jesus’ life and in our reading and understanding of Jesus’ early days on this earth. Simeon, like many other God fearing Jews, were waiting for the Messiah to come and bring salvation from sins and liberty from political oppression. The Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah.

On the day of Jesus’ dedication at the temple in Jerusalem, Simeon, led again by the Holy Spirit, greeted Mary and Joseph and took the baby Jesus into his arms. He knew the moment he saw Jesus, that his wait was over. He had seen the Messiah, the Saviour of the world and the Redeemer of the Jews. As he lifted his hands to God, he prayed a prayer of thanks but also a prayer of prophecy. He thanked God for the promise of seeing the Messiah and prophesied that Jesus was ‘Salvation’…’for ALL PEOPLE’…’a light to reveal God to THE NATIONS’.

This is an incredible statement as most Jews were waiting for a Messiah to lead them out of political captivity. Yet, through the Holy Spirit’s revelation, Simeon prophesied that not only would Jesus be a light to to the people of Israel but also to all the nations. Not only would He be a light to people but also set them free from spiritual bondage and into God’s glorious plan for their lives.

This was a wonderful moment in history for both all who were there listening and for all who read the same words today. God’s salvation includes us all. We are all part of Kingdom plan. Jesus’ salvation is not reserved for one people group but for all people. He came so we might live. Praise God that we are all included in His salvation.

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A Saviour Will Be Born

1st December

“For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

There are so many examples of prophecies like today’s verse throughout the Old Testament. Jesus’ coming to the earth was not a mistake. At exactly the right time in history, God became flesh (whilst still remaining fully God) and lived a completely human life.

For many, December is an extremely busy month. Staff Christmas parties, numerous carol services to attend or to lead, presents to buy, Christmas day feasts to think about and prepare, and of course putting up the Christmas tree. In our busyness, we can so often not give enough time to the amazingly wonderful news that Jesus gave up His Heavenly privileges to enter this world, knowing that 33 years later, He would end up giving His life at the very hands of the people He created. Yet this was not a fluke or spontaneous decision. It was planned even before time began. It was planned so that you can live in all that God has for you, so that you could personally know the God who made you and the world you live in.

In the busyness of the December month, let us take a moment every day to remember and thank Jesus, for planning to come to this earth and give Himself for us so that we could have life and life in all its fullness. He truly is Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.