We are all looking forward to something - the weekend, the next paycheck, the next vacation, the "big game", a new baby, etc... - we are
all looking! But are we looking for the right things? Are we seeking what we should?
Consider
Simeon:
Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
Luke 2:25-35 (ESV)
Simeon was a good man, but he wasn't satisfied with what he had seen and done - he was looking for something else. Simeon wanted "the consolation of Israel" - the fulfillment of God's final promise to Abraham. Being Moved by the spirit, he went to the temple and found just that fulfillment - Jesus!
How did he react? Without excitement - as if you've just received the next issue of the daily newspaper that has been delivered for years? Did he say, "Oh, it's you. Alright then"? No! He was
excited that he had found the messiah!
More than
anything else in this world he wanted to see the fulfillment of God's promise before he died. He wanted to know that the savior of the world had come.
Just as excited as Simeon was, Joseph and Mary were a little bewildered at the proclamation that their son would turn the world upside down. But that is
exactly what God wants - the world turned upside down.
The world thinks a life steeped in sin is "right side up." The only way to change the world is to change the individuals in the world - just as you have to turn a box filled with packing peanuts over to empty every last one of them, we have to be turned upside down to shake all of the sin out of our lives. Jesus died so that you and I
can have sin removed from our lives and start a new life for Him - different from the world.
How have you reacted to the knowledge of Jesus? Are you extremely excited to realize that He is the answer and that He died for you? Has He turned your life upside down? Or have you just been knocked on your side allowing some of the peanuts to fall out but still keeping many inside?
What are you waiting to do before you die? Is it your goal to have a relationship with God? We have no guarantee of another day so don't wait! Get excited about Jesus,
be obedient, and turn your life upside down today!
