The Corona epidemic has really put life on hold. Work, study, family, friends and travel. Many things have been put on hold, but now there will soon be light at the end of the tunnel. But what am I really looking forward to the most? What's on my bucket list, things I just have to experience in life? Travel, friends, work?
In a conversation with my soon-to-be wife the other day, she pointed to Simeon (Luke 2:25-35) as a role model when we talked about what is most important in life. I think you should read these few verses in the Gospel of Luke, because they say a lot about who Jesus is and what he meant to some people - like Simeon. When Simeon saw the baby Jesus, it says that he took the child in his arms and praised God. The text tells us that Simeon praised God and that it filled him with peace so that he could actually go away, i.e. die, in peace! Why? - Because Simeon's eyes had been allowed to see God's salvation (v30). That's what Simeon just had to experience!
Simeon had one thing on his bucket list. One thing that was more important than anything else. His #1 was to see Jesus. To see God's salvation!
Is that how I feel? Is that how you feel? Is Jesus the person we just have to experience? Or is it travel, family life, work or hobby?
I have to admit that it can challenge me. Especially when I look at some of the persecuted Christians that the Danish European Mission works with. They actually have the opportunity to travel to the West and calm down. See their children grow up without persecution. Yet many choose to stay, and some even choose to evangelize, even though it can have consequences. Their lives testify that what they want most is to experience Jesus. Just like Simeon.
Could we learn something from Simeon and the persecuted Christians on this front?
