Simeon and the Cure

Since the Christmas season is upon us I thought I'd share a few paragraphs from a book I just finished by A.W. Tozer, that reminded me of what Christmas is really about:

"Mankind is still inventing new ways of self-treatment and medication for failures and weaknesses and wrong-doing, even in our own day, not recognizing that the cure has already come.

Simeon, the old man of God who had waited in hope around the temple, knew that the cure had come! When he saw the baby Jesus, he took Him up in his arms, looked down at Him and said, 'Lord, now lettest thou they servant depart in peace...for mine eyes have seen they salvation." (Luke 2:29-30)
                                       
We live in a world that is always coming up with a new remedy, a new plan, or a new way of doing things. When in reality this world really has nothing of worth to offer us. Nothing that will matter in the end.

Oh, but what joy Simeon must have felt as he held Jesus in his arms! Knowing this was the Son of God who would take away the sins of the world! The One that would make things right. The One who is the cure.

"And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 

So he came by the Spirit into the temple. 

And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: 

"Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word;

For my eyes have seen Your salvation 

Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel." 

And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, 

"Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against "(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." 
                                                Luke 2:25-35