DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Simeon Cradles the Anointed One
by Dan Kidd
Simeon's is a beautiful story. Precious few words are written about him--his whole life summarized in only a paragraph or two--, but what more could anyone hope to have said about them? He was righteous, devout, covered in the Holy Spirit, and he was filled with the expectant hope that God would be faithful to provide Israel, and the world, with the Savior they so desperately needed. And what's more, the Spirit had told Simeon he would meet this anointed one.
Mary and Joseph arrived at the temple with Jesus on his eighth day to have him circumcised. When they arrived, God the Holy Spirit stirred in Simeon and led him to God the Son. There, cradled in his aged arm, was the one he'd waited so very long to see. They'd named him Jesus, Yeshua, "God is deliverance." It's hard to imagine what exactly was going through his head as he stared down into the week-old face of this infant King. What we know for sure is that he appreciated the gravity of his encounter. He knew that he, and Israel, had longed for years for this moment--this Messiah. And there he was. All that waiting, hoping, yearning, and praying had been seen and heard and manifested into this one, tiny human being. What an extraordinary gift!
In looking down upon baby Jesus, Simeon had everything from his life he could've wanted. He'd been blessed by the presence and care of God, and the Lord had been faithful to show him the hope of the world. Precious few people who met or knew Jesus saw him for what he was, but Simeon knew.
I'm moved by imagining what that moment must have been like for Simeon. I'm compelled to join Simeon in marveling at the incredible gift of Jesus to a world that so desperately needed him. As we cast our eyes towards him, the Light of the world, we celebrate the King and Kingdom come. Praise be to God!
PRAYER
CUP PRAYER: This prayer will help you pour your heart out to God (Ps. 62:8). Begin with your hands folded together like an upside-down cup. Pour out before God all your fears, anxieties, guilt, sin, and shame. Tell Him what troubles you. Take time to be specific. When you feel like you’ve poured out your heart, flip your hands over, folding them like an open cup, ready to receive from God. Sit in silence, asking God simply to fill you with His Spirit. If your mind runs back to sin, shame, anxiety or concerns of the day, flip your hands back over and pour it out to the Lord. When you are finished praying, read today’s Scripture and listen as God shares His heart back with you.
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