My Eyes Have Seen: Born Thy People to Deliver

There was a man in Scripture named Simeon, who Luke describes as righteous and devout. He was a man who was led by the Spirit of God, and had expectations of salvation. No doubt, the promises of the Word of God fueled his longing for salvation to come to Israel. Among such promises in the Old Testament that talk of this salvation is Psalm 98. Verses 2-3 promise that:

Psalm 98:2–3 ESV

2 The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. 3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

God had promised Simeon that he would not see death before He had seen the Lord’s Christ. He came to where Jesus was in the temple, and upon seeing Him and taking the Christ child in his arms, Simeon praises God declaring, Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace… for my eyes have seen your salvation.

To see Jesus is to see salvation. Simeon waited his entire life for this moment. You and I, in this moment, as we look to the promises of Scripture, can behold Jesus who has come to save His people from their sins. When we see Him, we see our salvation.

Psalm 98 ESV

A Psalm. 1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. 2 The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. 3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. 4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! 5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! 6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord! 7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! 8 Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together 9 before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

Luke 2:29–35 ESV

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 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 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”