Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel

If you had known Simeon before the incarnation of Christ what would you have thought of him? Just some strange man who had nothing to do with his time? Why then does Scripture record his story?

It wasn’t by accident that Simeon was at the temple. This was the purpose for his life: to wait for the consolation of Israel. This was single minded devotion. Nothing else would get in his way or rise to the surface of his consciousness. He was waiting, not the way you do in a doctor’s waiting room when you are just marking time, but eagerly, expectantly, excitedly!

Our hope in Jesus Christ is partially fulfilled. If we have turned to Him in repentance and committed our lives to Him, then we are already born again, we are already new people, we already walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).

Colossians 3:1-3 says:

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

and goes on to say in verse 4

When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

That is such an incredible statement! To think that one day, we will appear with Him in glory! So, what do you spend each day thinking about? Your forthcoming holiday? A better job, house, car?

As believers we have a blessed hope: the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13)! This, as with Simeon should be more than our Sunday affiliation, our religious acknowledgment – this should be our consuming passion!