The Eyes of Faith

In the days when Jesus was born in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago, there was a devout old man called Simeon living in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

One day the Spirit led Simeon into the temple courts—the very day that Jesus' parents brought the infant Jesus to the temple to fulfill the requirements of Torah.

When Simeon saw the baby, he took Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel" (Luke 2:29-32).

Simeon praised God for what he could see only with the eyes of faith. The old man did not live to see Jesus grow up, proclaim the good news, be nailed to a cross and raised from the dead. He did not live to see the salvation he held in his arms that day bring in the new creation that would be the home of righteousness.

But he trusted God to be faithful, to finish in Christ what he had started in Christ.

For the past 2000 years wars, famines, disease, injustice and suffering have continued to plague humanity. Through all the darkness, believers have stood firm in the light of Christ, strengthened through faith by the Holy Spirit to await the glorious day when Christ will return in power and glory.

God has given us a sure sign that things will not always be like they are today: We say with the angel, "Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ, the Lord" (Luke 2:11)

In the meantime, we wait, knowing, like old Simeon, that our faith is not in vain. Though we might walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we are not afraid, because we know the risen Lord is with us.

I’m Joseph Tkach, speaking of LIFE.

Copyright 2009 Grace Communion International