LET THE GENTILES REJOICE

LET THE GENTILES REJOICE!

Luke 2:27-32

27 And he [Simeon] came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

           Mary was a Jewish mother. Joseph was a Jew. Jesus was the Jewish Messiah. Even Simeon was a Jewish man, very old and carrying in his bosom a promise only he understood. He was told by the Spirit that he would not die, no matter how old, until his clouding eyes saw the Messiah but when he saw the baby Jesus he saw something for the Gentiles as well.

           He would be LIGHT! It would be ridiculously proud to think that the light of the sun would warm only Jewish cheeks. It was just as foolish to imagine that the Son would brighten only Jewish eyes. The Gentiles would benefit from the Jewish Prince. In verse 31 Simeon said “all people” as he spoke of salvation.

1. LIGHT PROVIDES COMFORT!

Eccl 11:7

7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:

How many parents have heard the words “please leave the light on” when a child is full of fear? Even a child knows that closet monsters and other evil villains cannot survive the light!

2. LIGHT GUIDES!

Ps 119:105

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Isa 9:2

2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

3. LIGHT HEALS AND PURIFIES!

Even ancient physicians knew the wound healing properties of sunlight. Now modern science knows the germ killing ability of ultra-violet light.

1 John 1:5

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

4. LIGHT DISPELLS IGNORANCE!

Fearful shadows flee away in the light. A snake in the dark becomes a belt or a piece of rope in the light. Superstition is driven away by the light.

Acts 17:29-30

29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

Dear Lord, thank you for including we who are Gentiles in your great salvation plan. Thank you for the light. AMEN