Text: Psalm 136; Luke 2

The next two days we read the thanksgiving of two aged “believers” both of whom had deep prayer lives. Anna, who worshiped the Lord with fasting and prayer night and day; and Simeon, whose intercession had ultimately resulted in a stunning revelation: He would not see death until he had seen the Christ—or, he would not see death until he saw Life.

In The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, Alfred Edershiem writes,

“Simeon combined the three characteristics of Old Testament piety: ‘justice,’ as regarded his relation and bearing to God and man; ‘fear of God,’ in opposition to the boastful self-righteousness of Pharisaism; and, above all, longing expectancy of the near fulfilment of the great promises, and that in their spiritual import as ‘the Consolation of Israel.”

Thus, as Simeon held the Babe in his arms, we see pictured the impending death of a righteousness under the law and the birth of the righteousness through grace in the person of Jesus Christ.

Notice also the difference in Simeon’s words based on whose holding the Babe: In his arms (Luke 2:28) it is a prayer of thanksgiving, anticipation of a joyful departure, and the universal impact of the Christ; however, back in Mary’s embrace (Luke 2:34) he speaks of the pain and anguish that is to be suffered. How the words of Paul to the Philippians defines both: “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings…” (Philippians 3:10 ESV).

Begin your prayer with thanksgiving; rejoice that you have experienced Life long before your death. Now, think of all those who are immediately facing death today, saints who have endured the fight and finished their course, who are ready to be released like a sentinel from their duty and pray for their peaceful departure as they receive the crown of life.