Room to spare for all nations!

John Povey January 02, 2026 2 0

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Luke 2: 22-35 (NIVUK)

22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord’), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: ‘a pair of doves or two young pigeons’.

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 

‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
    you may now dismiss your servant in peace.

30 

For my eyes have seen your salvation,

31 

    which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

32 

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and the glory of your people Israel.’

33 The child’s father and mother marvelled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: ‘This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

The temple was, in Hebrew tradition, the dwelling place of the Lord, where people were brought back in tune with God. But the sins of the nation had, said the prophet Ezekiel, caused the glory of the Lord to depart from the temple. One of the deepest aspirations of Israel’s people was that the Lord’s holy presence might return there.

When Joseph and Mary dutifully presented the child Jesus at the sanctuary, Simeon immediately recognised the Lord’s presence in His Temple. As Mary and Jospeh’s obedience and Simeon’s devotion met, the miracle of Christ’s incarnation shone clearly.

This encounter with Simeon is rich in themes of fulfilled promises, patient waiting, and encountering Jesus Christ. Simeon — righteous and devout — lived a life of faith, in expectation of God's promises. The Spirit led him to the temple. This was God's timing and God’s purpose. Through eyes of faith Simeon saw the infant Jesus as the fulfilment of all the messianic prophecies, and of the hopes and prayers of the people of Israel.

Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph and, inspired by the Holy Spirit, he prophesied that Jesus was to be "a revealing light to the Gentiles". Jesus came not only for the people of Israel, but for all nations.

There are no geographical or ethnic limits to God’s grace, to God’s table. Simeon held Jesus, declaring that he had seen God's salvation, a light of revelation to Gentiles and glory for Israel, fulfilling the ancient prophecies. With the coming of Jesus Christ, we know the future is secure in God’s hands.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for coming as the fulfilment of God's promise. Like Mary and Joseph, help me to obey You daily, and like Simeon, give me a patient, hopeful heart to see Your salvation. When I face difficult times, remind me that even through sorrow, You bring purpose and transformation. Help me to rest in the peace You offer and to share Your light with a world that needs You. Amen.