Friday, December 21, 2018
Luke 2:32 “. . .A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”
HOW GENTILES BECOME ISRAELITES
When Nathaniel first met Jesus, Jesus told him he was “an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit.” It seems the same could be said of Simeon. He was an embodiment of a faithful Israelite.
Physically, he was a Jew descended from the Hebrews that the Lord had led out of Egypt. He could be found often in the temple taking part in the ceremonies that God had prescribed though Moses.
Spiritually, the Holy Spirit had set his heart on the Messiah who would come to abolish those endless ceremonies and sacrifices by offering Himself once and for all to bring consolation to Israel.
That faith in the coming Messiah also gave Simeon the knowledge that citizenship in God’s true nation of Israel was not about family and racial bloodlines. The true and everlasting Israel is all the elect that God would bring to faith by the light of His revelation.
That revelation first came through the spoken and written word, which by the power of God shown it’s light beyond the small borders of Israel. Then that Word became flesh and dwelt among us in Jesus Christ. Christ dispelled darkness with His light by taking away in His death the sins that placed us in the darkness. Then He rose from dead and ascended to the right hand of God where He receives all glory from the people of all nations than make up His people Israel. Therefore we Gentiles may praise God for the gift of His Son and sing along with our Hebrew brother Simeon:
“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.”
