“Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2:28-32
“Lord … servant” … like Mary, Simeon identifies himself as God’s servant while bursting forth in praise.
“As You have promised” … Simeon thanks God and first recalls the fulfillment of the earlier promise of God. This promise is the one that suggests Simeon is old, although his age is never given. Simeon, a picture of faith, can rest knowing God’s plan will be completed, even though he will not see it come to full fruition in his lifetime.
Simeon identified God’s “salvation” as being personified in Jesus. For Jesus to come was for God’s salvation to come.
“All nations” refers to all people, not just to Israel.
“Light for … the Gentiles … glory to … Israel” … the glory of Israel is her salvation. Because this salvation is for all people, it will come to shine upon every nation through the preaching of the Gospel. This is the first explicit statement in Luke that includes both Jew and Gentile. Salvation is portrayed as light. It would be a revelation to Gentiles because they would be able to participate in God’s blessing with a fullness that had not been revealed in the Old Testament. Jesus is the glory of Israel because through Him the nation would see the fulfillment of God’s promises.
As confirmed by prophecy, Jesus is appointed as the Savior. Today, pray that the Lord would grant you the enduring faith of Simeon and Anna, to see the Lord’s salvation and give Him thanks face-to-face in eternity.
God’s blessings on your day…