Читать книгу With My Eyes On Jesus - Dale Goldsmith - Страница 8

Luke 2:26–31: It had been revealed to [Simeon] by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. (27) Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, (28) Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, (29) Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; (30) for my eyes have seen your salvation, (31) which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples . . .

Context: Jesus’ parents fulfill the law by presenting their newborn (and appropriate offerings) at the temple. Simeon had long been in regular attendance, hoping for the coming of the promised Messiah.

Meditation: We have heard stories of terminally ill people tenaciously clinging to life in order to live long enough to attend a wedding, see the birth of a grandchild, or experience one more Christmas. They are in that “moment” in which they are alive but dying. They are living in hope.

Simeon was one of those folks, and his main hope was to see “the Lord’s Christ.” If he could see that hope realized, his dying might be one of peace—what we might call a “good dying.” He may not have known the where or when of his hope’s fulfillment, or that it would come in the form of a baby. But he knew what that Messiah would be about: “salvation . . . [for] all peoples.”

Physical life for each of us has a “use-by” date; that is certain, but the “exactly when” part is not necessarily known. In such a trajectory, we can share something in common with Simeon—we can know what it is for which we hope, look for, live for, and long for. We can have clarity about that biggest of all “bucket list” items. If we hope for the best of all things, our dying can be a good one. We too can depart in peace.

Prayer: Help me to know the peace that comes with knowing that Jesus is present in our lives. Amen.

Today: Review (and revise?) my bucket list or my Five Wishes.