A devout Jew named
Simeon took the infant Jesus up into his arms in the courts of the
temple in Jerusalem. Earlier it had been revealed to him by
the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he saw the Lord's
Christ. As he took Jesus into his arms "...he 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.'" In Jewish
culture there were two groups making up the world, Jews and
Gentiles. Even though Jesus was Jewish, He came to both.
During His ministry Jesus referred to Himself as light of
the world. He said, "I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light
of life."
Darkness can be scarry and dangerous. We
stumble and trip in a totally dark house and eagerly grope for the
light switch, flashlight or candle and match. We want light
so we can see.
Spiritually speaking, Jesus is the light that
shines in the darkness of self-referential life. His being
illuminates the world with the very being and nature of God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He beams the way of other concern,
the way of love. Without Him there is no light. |
