Now and Later

Some of you might remember the taffy candy called Now and Later.  The name was a marketing ploy used to describe the long-lasting nature of the candy, and the claim that the flavor was here both now and later.  I say this from 2nd party information, because I am not a taffy fan.  But I knew people who liked those candies (I gave mine away at Halloween).

But Christmas, and Scripture, is very much a Now and Later thing.  It is alive ... always moving ... always applicable both now and later.  But unlike the candy, Scripture is full, active, and moving toward a beautiful purpose, now AND later.

In Luke 2, Jesus is presented at the Temple according to Jewish law, and a man named Simeon was there.  Simeon had waited devoutly for the coming of the Messiah who would save Israel.  Simeon "took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, 'Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised.  I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people.  He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and He is the glory of your people Israel.'"

Messiah predicted (past).  Messiah here ... "I have seen your salvation" (now).  Messiah's future ... "He is a light to reveal God to the nations" (later).  The Scripture says that Mary and Joseph were amazed at what was being said about Jesus.  Beautiful and hopeful, right?  Yes!

But then, with apparently the same hopefulness and fervor, Simeon says this (verses 34-35) ... "This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise.  He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose Him.  As a result, the deepest thought of many hearts will be revealed, and a sword will pierce your very soul!"  So much for beautiful and hopeful.

The "reveal" is in Simeon's 1st statement.  "He is a light!"  Light reveals.  Light purifies.  Light kills some bad things (some bacteria and some fungi).  Light causes some things to rise out of the ground and grow.  And light was predicted as the nature of the Messiah (the people who walk in darkness will see a great light [Isaiah 9:2]).

In the aftermath of the birth and the beauty of the Christmas story, Simeon gives us some stark truth.  Yes ... the light has come.  Yes ... God's glory is revealed.  But like Isaiah realized (Chapter 6), when God's glory is revealed, we are either destroyed or we are transformed.  Enjoy the NOW ... bit be changed, and reborn by who Jesus later is revealed to be ... the one true living God, and the salvation prepared and available for all people.