I Was There

It was strange, really, looking forward to my retirement ... and, dare I say? even to beyond it. For I believe that, many years ago, God spoke to me. How, I cannot explain; but his Spirit long ago made it clear to me that, before I retired from Temple duties ... before I left this life behind ... God's Messiah would be revealed to me! True!

Oh, yes; well - I have always wanted to believe it. I dared not believe it, and yet ... and yet, well -why me? When would it happen? and HOW? and WHERE? (well, I always imagined that if it happened anywhere, it would be here, in the Temple). So many questions and yes - at times some doubts. Doubts, in spite of the fact that I have always tried to live a righteous and devout life. I have always tried to obey the Law; always tried to keep the Commandments of our great ancestor Moses. As a Temple priest that is just as it should be. But you have to admit - it is some promise! To see the Messiah, the Lord's Christ! his coming has been foretold for so long. And as my years have gone by; as I have grown older and older, perhaps it was only natural that I might begin to have a few doubts. That is, until yesterday!!

1 don't know what made me do it, but in some strange way, I was drawn to the Temple yesterday. Almost as if I could hear a voice - dare I suggest God's voice? - almost as if a voice was saying to me, "Put your doubts to one side, Simeon, and be in my House today!"

Anyway, I went to the Temple.

1 had not been there for long when a young couple arrived with a baby. I guessed straight away that they had come to fulfil our custom of "presentation". Our Law prescribes that the first born son of a Jewish family must be presented within the Temple here in Jerusalem forty days after birth. We have taken over a pagan custom really; for in pagan times, the first son was often sacrificed to a tribal god. We adapted that horrible act, by demanding instead the offering of five shekels, so that the family could "redeem" or buy back the child from God, to whom he owes his life. Well, I went to meet this young family as they came into the Temple yesterday. And, as I always do on such an occasion, I took the baby into my arms. And, immediately, I knew!! All the years of waiting for me ... all my hopes ... doubts.....fears ... dreams; I really knew!! Oh, God be praised!

And so I could praise God; could praise him as I had never, ever done before!

"Lord!" I prayed, "now you can let your servant depart in peace; for your wonderful promise to me has been fulfilled. I have now seen what you promised; he who shall be the salvation of Israel; he who shall be THE LIGHT OF THE WHOLE WORLD"...

It was strange really - looking forward to my retirement - and beyond this life. But, since yesterday ... no more strangeness. Just the reality, of a promise, from God.

W.W.W

You can read Simeon's story in St. Luke, chapter 2, verses 22 - 40. The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (or Candlemass) is celebrated in the Church's Calendar on February 2nd).

next page Extracts from the Bunbury section of the Malpas Deanery Magazine Jan 1899