The Complete Saviour
”…a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.’”
Luke 2:28-32 (NIV)
When God chose His people, His purpose was to use them to be a blessing to all nations of the earth.
”I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:3 NLT)
Somehow, over the centuries, many of the Jewish people lost their sense of calling to bless all nations. Simeon, a wonderful Jewish man, got it right as he held the baby Jesus in the temple (a few days after His birth) and said what he did. Simeon knew that the promised Messiah was to be shared with the entire world.
”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!”
The Gospel that Christians preach needs to include the emphasis of this elderly man in the temple that day. ”…we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.” (1 John 4:14 NLT)
What is tragic is the sad fact that the very people who gave the world the expected Messiah now deny Him and will not consider His claims. I have some great books written by Jewish scholars who are respectful of Jesus and accept much of His teaching, but they fall short of accepting Him as the Christ of God.
[Jesus] told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.“ (Luke 24:46-47 NIV)
Most Jews, not only scholars, have rejected the idea that Jesus is the Messiah. He didn’t do what they believed the Messiah was supposed to do. The Jews of His day were looking forward to the Messiah delivering them from the enslavement of Roman rule. When He failed to deliver on this critical point, and was instead crucified like an ordinary criminal, they rejected Him. Today, orthodox Jews are looking for a future Messiah that will save Israel.
”For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.” (Titus 2:11-14 NLT)