February 8

Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God. Luke 2:28.

CHRIST'S appearance had been predicted for many hundreds of years, and the pious and believing Jews ever lived anxiously waiting to behold the illustrious event. Among the most devout and holy of these, was Simeon, whose character and history are briefly narrated in the verses connected with the text. To Simeon it had been graciously revealed, that he should not see death, until he had seen the Lord's Christ. When Christ was presented, the Spirit directed Simeon to the temple at the same time. Then was his hope realized, then was the great desire of his heart fulfilled; now life was no longer necessary, and therefore he took the child Jesus up in his arms, and blessed God, exclaiming, "Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." From this peculiarly interesting narrative, we learn,—I. Where Christ is to be found. In his temple. His church is his abiding place; this he has made his rest for ever. The Spirit and the word, both direct us to the ordinances of his house. Here if we come in faith, we shall assuredly meet with the Lord's Christ. II. The eye of faith, has Christ for its object. Simeon beheld the Redeemer, and was filled with holy joy. And to whom shall the lost and perishing look, but unto Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life. To whom shall the sin-stung sinner direct his eyes, but unto him who was expressly lifted up, that we might not perish, but have everlasting life. III. When we see Christ by an eye of faith, then do we behold God's salvation. Christ is God's salvation, selected, appointed, and sent forth of the Father. He is the only Mediator between God and us, and there is salvation in none other. IV. Christ must be embraced in the arms of affection and delight. We must have him in close connexion with our souls. He must dwell in our hearts, and be to us the fairest among ten thousand, yea the altogether lovely. V. Christ received by faith, and love, will excite us to thankfulness, and devoted praise to God. And when he took him up in his arms, he blessed God. And in the possession of this celestial treasure, the soul will be constrained to exclaim, "thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift." We bless God for health, and food, and raiment, and reason. How much more then for the gift of gifts, the fountain of every other mercy, and without which life itself must terminate in all the agony and despair of the second death. VI. When Christ is possessed, then we are ready either for life or death. If we live, we shall live to him; and if we die, we shall depart in peace, our eyes having seen God's salvation.