December 29 , 2024 Daily Dose of Discernment

“For my eyes have seen Your salvation … a Light to enlighten the nations, and the glory of Your people Israel.” (Luke 2:30-32)

There was an elderly man in Jerusalem named Simeon who was righteous and devout. He was told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he saw the Messiah. When he learned that the baby Jesus was being presented at the Temple, he came and took Him in his arms and spoke the words of what is now known as the Song of Simeon, “Lord, let Your servant now depart in peace according to Your word, for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared for all the world to see, a Light to the nations and the glory of Israel.”

As is true of many Jews, Simeon was longing for the relief of Israel who at his time had been under oppression from Gentile nations for a thousand years. The prophets proclaimed that God would send the Messiah not only to save Israel but to be a light to the whole world.

Jesus is the King and Savior of all. In His kingdom, there is no Jew or Gentile, Christian or otherwise. There are only those who follow His ways. If we think only a few will be saved, and that because they have the correct religious belief, we should renew our minds, because His saving health is for all nations.