He took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation that You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.” Luke 2:28-32

Israel's Greatest Gift

Simeon was a devout Jew to whom God promised would not die until he had seen Israel's Messiah. On the day of Mary and Joseph fulfilling their purification vows (Leviticus 12:1-8), the Spirit led Simeon to the temple fulfilling His promise that he would see God's Salvation. He took the Baby Jesus in his arms and rejoiced over Him prophesying the impact this child would have in Israel and all nations. Jesus was indeed Israel's greatest gift. Mary and Joseph marveled at what this devout man said under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus was totally Jewish with a lineage written by Matthew that began at Abraham going to His step-father, Joseph, (Royal Line of David) and Luke recorded the genealogy of Christ through His mother Mary (His human line) that went all the way back to Adam (3:23-38).

The Bible says Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and being conceived by the Holy Spirit remained sinless (Hebrews 4:15). He began His ministry specifically to Israel when he was 30 years old. While He did minister to Gentiles (the Syrophoenician woman, Mark 7:24-30; the Roman Centurion Matthew 8:5-13; the Sumaritan leper, Luke 17:11-19) He said He was only sent to the lost sheep of Israel. Yet in all three of these instances Jesus was moved by the faith of these Gentiles and granted physical healing to their requests.

Myself along with millions of Evangelical Christian believers love the Jewish people living around the world. We uphold the nation of Israel in the deepest love, prayer, monetary support, and physical aid.  We grieve that the majority of Jews have rejected Jesus down through the years and most still do. After His resurrection from the dead He commissioned His followers to go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). These did find converts in many Jewish synagogues (churches) but the majority of believers were Gentiles.

Simeon's blessing included God working in the presence of all peoples, a light to the Gentiles. Today all the peoples of the earth can also give thanks for the Babe that brought joy and thanksgiving to the lips of this godly man and grace and peace to billions through the millennia. Along with him let us raise our voices in praise, adoration and worship to heaven's Greatest Gift to Planet Earth. Glory to God in the highest! A very Merry Christmas to you with true understanding and awe at Who it is all about.  May this marvelous Gift be first in your hearts this coming year and bless you in every way.

Ken