Today we come to a man named Simeon. All we know about him is found in Luke 2:25-35. His is a very remarkable story, I would even say a powerful story. I’m a simple guy, so once more let’s just go through the passage and see what we can learn about faith from Simeon.
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
Right away we see four things about this man:
whose name was Simeon – He was named after the second of the 12 sons of Jacob (Gen 29:33)
just and devout – he loved the Lord, he was faithful, he was careful to obey and serve the Lord
waiting for the consolation of Israel - the consolation of Israel is Messiah. The word for consolation means "consolation, comfort, solace; that which affords comfort or refreshment (Messiah's salvation, Luke 2:25); so the rabbis called the Messiah the consoler, the comforter."* (It is in the same family as Comforter/Paraclete; the Holy Spirit, of whom Jesus said, he shall give you another Comforter)
and the Holy Spirit was upon him – even though this is the gospel of Luke, these are still Old Testament times, and this is the Old Testament way of saying he had been filled with the Spirit. As Luke will later describe Barnabas, he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith (Acts 11:24). The difference between the Old Covenant and New Covenant is big! In Old Testament days, only select people were filled with the Spirit; but under the New Testament every believer can be filled with the Spirit. This is the promise of the Father spoken of by the Lord Jesus.
Righteous, devout, waiting for the coming of Christ, the Holy Spirit upon him. I would be happy if someone described me this way!
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
Not only all that, it was revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. This is truly amazing! He didn’t know exactly when he would die, but he knew it wouldn't be until he had seen Christ. He knew the promises of the coming of Messiah, he had discerned the times and knew it was soon, and it had been revealed to him that he would personally see the Lord’s Christ. By faith he waited to see Christ, he expected to see Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
he came by the Spirit into the temple – that is, the Holy Spirit either put it in his heart or told him to go to the temple, the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. This is what we now know as being led by the Spirit and walking in the Spirit. He had faith to be filled with the Spirit and to walk in the Spirit. Simeon is basically living the normal Christian life.
After the custom of the law – which is described in Luke 2:21-24, And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
This is kind of unexpected – Joseph and Mary walk into the temple and suddenly a man they don’t know takes their baby from their arms! But then perhaps they weren’t too shocked because they had both seen an angel, and shepherds, who had also seen angels, showed up the night he was born.
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Wow! This is pretty cool!
mine eyes have seen thy salvation – this is, oh praise God, this is so good…salvation is not merely some thing God gives us or even does for us, salvation is a person, it is Jesus. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
before the face of all people – Simeon saw that Jesus was salvation for all people.
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel – all the peoples!! Simeon had faith to see that Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, came for all the peoples of the world.
now let thy servant depart in peace - Now I can die, for according to thy word, I have seen Christ!
Mine eyes have seen thy salvation - Amen. This child is the Christ, the consolation of Israel, the very one spoken of by Jacob way back in Genesis 49:18, I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD. And so the angel told Joseph, Thou shalt call his name JESUS, for he shall save his people from their sins.
By faith Simeon was righteous and devout; by faith he was waiting for the consolation of Israel; by faith he had the Spirit upon him; by faith he had been promised he would see Christ; by faith he followed the Spirit’s leading and went into the temple; and by faith he prophesied over the holy family (we will see that in the next post).
Simeon believed that Jesus, the son of Mary, was the Christ of God.
My prayer is that I would walk in faith like Simeon!
His name is Jesus, Jesus,
Sad hearts weep no more.
He has healed the broken hearted,
Opened wide the prison doors,
He is able to deliver evermore.
* Thayer's Greek English Lexicon
NEXT: Simeon prophesies over the holy family
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