Consolation & Redemption

Dear Friends,

As I write this, I am in a hospital outpatients with my mother waiting to see a doctor. How glorious it is that we have the privilege of being able to wait for excellent medical services. I have been watching one of those morning shows in the waiting room and they are complaining about Covid testing lines. Of course we would like them to be quicker but how wonderful that we live in a country where we can wait for Covid testing and be seen.

Waiting can be such a gift. I think that waiting is hard because our society is so impatient. In Luke 2:21- 40, we meet Simeon and Anna who are very old. Anna is possibly 105 years old and we learn that Simeon is ready to die but has been promised that he will see the Lord before he dies. Both these dear saints are waiting for the Lord to come. They have been patient and are now finally rewarded with seeing Jesus.

For us, the wait of Simeon and Anna is worthwhile because they inform us that Jesus is the Lord’s salvation. Simeon prophesies that Jesus is the consolation of Israel. He is the one who brings forgiveness of sins and this gives us true comfort. Anna describes Jesus as the one who brings redemption. Redemption means that Jesus, through His death, pays the price for our sins. This means that the Lord owns us and we are safe with Him

God’s blessing, David O’Mara

From the Boxing Day Pastor’s Bulletin, 26 December 2021