“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, You may now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32 NIV)
Jesus was born into a Jewish family. As the Law required, His parents brought Him to the temple to present Him to the Lord and to offer a sacrifice (see Luke 2:22–24). While they were there, an elderly man named Simeon approached them. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he had long been waiting for “the consolation of Israel.” The moment he saw the Child in Mary’s arms, he knew this was no ordinary baby. Simeon recognized Him as the Savior of the world. He took Jesus in his arms and praised God.
The temple courts were undoubtedly crowded that day. People passed by Jesus without noticing anything unusual about Him. But Simeon stopped. God had opened his eyes to see what others could not. He witnessed a miracle and was filled with deep joy because he recognized what God was doing.
God’s plan of salvation was unfolding before their eyes, yet most people failed to notice it. God is still at work today. Do you recognize the ways He is working around you and in your own life? What helps you see them?