Luke 2:25-35
Life is filled with surprises. We all have had surprises that are good and we have had those that were bad. Surprises are the things and events that happen to us that we can never anticipate in a day of our lives.
On the eighth day in the life of Jesus he was taken by Mary and Joseph to the temple for their purification offering as required by the law of Moses. Mary and Joseph were doing what the Law of Moses required them to do for their son. The surprise came that day by the meeting of a man named Simeon and what he did and said to them. This stranger to Mary and Joseph was not a stranger to God. Simeon was a righteous and devout person that was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the temple. When Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God saying words about Jesus that were a surprise to Mary and Joseph.
Simeon said, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”
Jesus’ parents were amazed and surprised at what was being said about him. This stranger Simeon continued to say and tell them things about their son that came as a total surprise. “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose Him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed and a sword will pierce your very soul.” The cross of Jesus would pierce Mary’s soul one day at Calvary as she watched her son die.
God’s plan that he revealed to Simeon did not exclude people or nations. Israel was included in God’s salvation plan. The plan came out of the life of Jesus, because Jesus is God in human form. The plan was for our salvation from sin and the evil that is in our human ways.
God’s plan does not divide people, nations or Israel. In much of the Liberation theology and in socialism you would think God came only to the poor, the downtrodden or one race of people. Liberation theology is about division of people, and nations and it also warps how Israel fits into God’s salvation plan. Simeon reveals God’s salvation plan that has been prepared by God for all people and this includes the rich and the poor. This includes people with all kinds of skin color. God’s plan included those with an education and the uneducated. God’s plan is for all males and females. God’s plan is for all nations in the world that he made. God’s plan is for blonde people, and redheaded people. God’s plan is inclusive whatever color hair you have. God’s plan is for Methodist. God’s plan is for Baptist, Catholics, Presbyterian, Church of God and all other churches. God’s plan is for the salvation of all humans.
God’s plan for our salvation contains God’s true nature. He is a God of love and a God of judgment. We have many people that claim to have faith in Jesus Christ with only a half-loaf theology. It is true that God is love and it is true about His plan for our salvation. He loves all people. He loves all nations and He loves the nation Israel. but not more than He loves all the nations in His world.
God’s salvation plan contains his judgment on all sin and evils ways of human living. No one is excluded from God’s judgment. No nation, no race of people, no male or female is excluded. Simeon said to Mary and Joseph that God’s salvation plan is in the life of your son Jesus. Simeon made it clear that the total plan of salvation was prepared by God for all people. God’s plan included the death of Jesus on the cross for all our sins. No one will be excluded from God’s love, and no one will be excluded from His eternal judgment. All lives matter, not just one race. God’s salvation plan holds every human accountable for the way they use the gift of life. We receive that gift of life by faith in Jesus that call for us to live like Jesus. We have God’s plan of life by his grace, love and forgiveness; but it comes only to those that seek God and seek his forgiveness.
If you never seek God’s plan of salvation you will lose the opportunity to join Jesus in heaven. God’s plan is clear. If you don’t seek this you will be in for a surprise at death. You make your choice in a life of faith or die without faith in Jesus. A life without faith in Jesus will cost you a place in heaven.
