Beholding the King
The prophets foretold of a king. A king who would be righteous and victorious (Zechariah 9:9). God’s people waited. Much of the waiting was in darkness. Earthy kings failed them over and over again. When there was devastation all around, Isaiah prophesied, “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine” (Isaiah 9:2).
Their longing was deep. Then 400 Silent Years came where there were no new prophets to reveal anything about the coming Christ. Darkness fell and it was silent. God’s people needed rescuing.
With great intensity, they longed for a rescuer. I think it’s interesting to notice who had eyes to see that Jesus was the Messiah in the Christmas story. Who were the ones still watching and waiting with expectation? Many had given up. Many had chosen to numb the pains of waiting by choosing their own way. Many took their eyes off the promise.
Then there were the faithful ones. We are familiar with the shepherds. “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). When the shepherds saw Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes, just as the angels announced, they knew he was the Messiah.
In the Gospel of Luke, there is mention of two other individuals who knew. Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. A man named Simeon saw the young family in the Temple and he immediately recognized Jesus (Luke 2:25-35). Simeon was described as a righteous and devout man who waited eagerly for the Messiah to come. I think Simeon knew how to behold God long before his eyes fell upon Jesus. I imagine that Simeon’s heart echoed the words of David:
“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.” Psalm 27:4
Oh, to be someone who saw Jesus and immediately knew. This is beautiful. Luke describes that Simeon “took the child in his arms and praised God” (Luke 2:28). Can’t you just see it? A man who lived a long life devoted to God. A man with a heart that was set right. A man who held an eager expectation that what God promised would be true. This was a man of great faith. When he saw Jesus, he swept him up into his arms. It was automatic for him. An expression of what he had been doing his entire life: beholding the king.
There is another person in Luke 2 who knew Jesus was Messiah. She was a widow named Anna. Anna was older, much like Simeon. She had been widowed after only 7 years of marriage and she spent everyday in the Temple worshiping God.
“She (Anna) came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child (Jesus) to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.” Luke 2:38
Anna knew. Simeon knew. From the moment they laid eyes on Jesus, praise to God flowed from their lips. Confidence without confusion. The fulfillment of prophecies unfolded before their eyes and they recognized it. They had eyes to see that they were beholding the king.
Nothing can compare with being in the presence of our King of glory. Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Where are we seeking pleasure this Christmas? What are we choosing to behold?
The King is here and He loves us deeply. He is not far from any one of us (Acts 17:27). Will we have eyes to see where He is moving? Will we embrace Him like Simeon? Will we praise Him like Anna?
By His grace, let us follow in the footsteps of the faithful ones: beholding the king.
Your Sister,
