Just The Edge of God

Simeon then prophesied, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against (Luke 2: 33, KJV).”

Sometimes God allows us to peer into his majesty and awesomeness, and this is when we should be alert and see what God has in store for us. Just as God promised Simeon, he would not die until he had beheld the Son of God. Once he held God the Son in his arms, the prophecy fulfilled, and Simeon knew the world would never be the same. God gave Simeon a glimpse of His heart because God loved Simeon.

Now, this prophecy did not come true right away, but it took years, but the promise Messiah birth fulfilled. The radiant light coming from the small infant was a heavenly glow that Simeon observed, radiating from the Holy Spirit of Jesus. This beautiful gift was to be shared with the entire human race, and one day we would all bow down in the future to the most wonderful precious gift of love God could give humanity.

Simeon touched Jesus and received the gift of love he had waited years to look at before dying. The touch of the garment was the swaddling clothes of Jesus as a baby gave an old man hope of a new life for humankind on earth because he had seen the promised Messiah. “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which 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, NIV).”

I remember a painting of Simeon and Jesus on the cover of the “Upper Room” daily devotional magazine. It was beautiful to see a tear come down his face of Simeon as he was looking at the baby; it was breathtaking. But what made the painting more than just a painting? There was a message imprinted in the artist’s vision? The artist painted the globe inside the image of Simeon, letting all who would glance at the painting discover the announcement of the cross. He would bring salvation to this evil world, and everyone in the world saved. Jesus Christ was born to save all, no matter what religious denomination or ethnicity they might be. Everybody can be saved and come to God once there is only one God, and He is Adonai Jehovah (the Lord our Master).