Sunday Musings | Are You Watching For Jesus?

The day Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord, a man named Simeon was there. We find Simeon's story in Luke 2:25-35. 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.” We learn from this passage that Simeon was waiting to see Christ! He knew, by the Holy Spirit, that he would see the Consolation of Israel in his lifetime, so he was watching for Jesus! He was rewarded for his devotion and gave thanks to God at His fulfillment of the promise of a Messiah. We, too, have a promise to watch for! Jesus said: In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:2-3) Jesus promised to return again! Like Simeon, we don't know when that time will come. But we do know that God always fulfills his promises! As you look forward to Christmas and the celebration of Christ's first arrival here on Earth, are you watching and waiting for His return?