< Back

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.  For my eyes have seen your salvation.” Luke 2:29-30

Read: Luke 2

Listen: Luke 2

TODAY’S MESSAGE

A gift delayed is so much sweeter. Simeon, a righteous man in Israel, received a promise from God that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah, the salvation of Israel. The wait must have been torturous.

Following Jewish custom, Mary and Joseph took their newborn son to the temple on the eighth day. Simeon encounters Jesus here. Moved by the Holy Spirit, he realizes God’s promise is being fulfilled and the Messiah has come. His response is priceless, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation” (Luke 2:29-30).

Jesus is described as the salvation of God. The Jews anticipated the Messiah would free them from Roman oppression. But God’s plans were bigger. Through Jesus the Messiah, all people of all nations could be reconciled with God Himself. Through his death, Jesus acts as our substitute, bearing God’s anger toward our sin. Through his resurrection, Jesus conquers death and offers for us to live eternally with him. But life with God is something we must want. God desires for each of us to come to him desiring his salvation—but he doesn’t force it on anyone.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Perhaps today you realize you have not accepted God’s gift of salvation through Jesus. We’d love to have a conversation with you about how you can receive that gift and begin a relationship with God. Please contact us at btw@adabible.org.  Salvation has arrived and his name is Jesus.  Will you receive this most precious gift this Christmas season?


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.