Jesus came for the people, not a select few

One of the scariest experiences is being in utter darkness, where there is absolutely no light. 

No light is a message that there is no clear pathway, no direction, and no hope. 

In the scripture passage, the people lived under a repressive Roman Government. 

The Government taxed the people and wanted to keep a tight account of the number of people under their leadership.

Spotlight

God began to shine the spotlight on old Simeon, who lived under the repressive laws of the Old Covenant. 

Simeon was a just and devout man; he was in good standing with men because he kept the law perfectly. 

Simeon was in good standing with God because he was righteous.

Luke 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law.

God told Simeon that despite how old he was, he would not see death until he saw the Lord’s Christ. 

Simeon, who was faithful to the law, was yet waiting for the consolation or comfort of Israel. 

Simeon was still waiting for the answer for the people of Israel, which means that what he currently knew was not the consolation for the people.

Simeon performed his priestly duties in the temple. 

Simeon had an intimate relationship with God and was in sincere communication with God. 

That resulted in Simeon being blessed to be in relationship with The Holy Spirit. 

The Holy Spirit told Simeon that he would see his answer, the consolation, before he died.

On that day, while the young parents went into the temple to keep the law, Simeon went into the temple by The Holy spirit. 

The parents went to fulfil The Law. Simeon went into the temple because of The Holy Spirit.

The worlds collided. The Old Covenant and The New Covenant were about to be introduced to each other. 

Luke 2:30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

From these verses we understand:

Simeon saw Jesus and stated that he saw salvation. In other words, Simeon was clear that before the arrival of Jesus there was no salvation. 

In other words, salvation could not come by the tradition of laws or the oral tradition. No, those are stories. Jesus is salvation.

Jesus came for the people and not merely a select group of priests. 

Salvation

The arrival of Jesus broke open the rules of segregation and salvation was now for all!

The Gentiles now have a clear pathway to God through His Son, Jesus Christ. 

It was not just about Jesus being for the Jews. 

No, Jesus was for the Gentiles too! 

To the Jews, Jesus was their glory. In other words, to the Jews who accepted Jesus, Jesus was the ultimate picture of the culmination or completion of The Law as He birthed grace.  Jesus was the crowning glory of the law as He ushered in grace.

The birth of Jesus shone a great light in a time of darkness.  Today can be described as dark days. These are perilous times. Yet, every Christian is called to be a light in the world. 

This means that sinners ought to be able to look at the Christian and see salvation, or see those who are in a relationship with Jesus, The Christ.

As Simeon lifted up Jesus, so must we lift up Jesus.  Jesus is still the answer for the world today. 

The world must see the Light of Jesus in the lives of those who have accepted Him as Lord and Saviour. 

That is when they will walk out of their darkness and embrace The Light of Jesus Christ.