In this passage we read how Jesus’ parents take him to Jerusalem ‘to present him to the Lord’ and ‘to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord’ (v.22–24). Simeon takes Jesus in his arms and says to the Lord, ‘My eyes have seen your salvation’ (v.30). To see Jesus is to see salvation. Seeing Jesus gives Simeon ‘peace’ (v.29b). We should look to Jesus to see what God is like. Jesus fully reveals God for everyone. He is a light who brings glory: ‘the glory of your people Israel’ (Luke 2:32b). With Jesus, Israel came to see God’s glory in its truest and fullest sense.  As John writes of Jesus, ‘We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth’ (John 1:14b). Jesus brings glory to Israel and to us, because Jesus is God coming to live among us.

Question: In which areas of your life do you need God’s grace? Which areas need God’s truth?

Prayer: Lord, give me eyes like Simeon to see your salvation in the world today. Give me grace and wisdom this day for all my decisions, meetings and conversations.