Simeon

Thoughts on the backside of Steve’s SS class of August 22, 2021.  A number of thoughts here are his – thanks, Steve!

There was a man who lived at a very special time in history who was used by God to verify, teach and set the table for Jesus and for us: Simeon

Luke 2:25, And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him… 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple…he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:… 30-32, For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.”… 34-35, Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also)

Simeon was in Jerusalem – a Jew, a son of Abraham, a citizen of Israel, living in the wake of a great history from 1,000 to 1,500 B.C.  Now his country was struggling as it was occupied by the Romans and had been occupied for nearly 600 years.  His was a country with some longing for the glory days of David while others were content with the protection and wealth of Rome.

This man, Simeon, was “righteous” meaning he had a transformational belief in God as did Abraham:  And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6).  He was a “Christian” in modern day terminology.  Furthermore, he was “devout”.  That is, he was passionate about obeying and serving God.  He knew the law and worked hard to keep its jots and tittles – its fine points.

Furthermore, he was “waiting” for the Messiah.  He was waiting for the One who would bring peace and goodness back to his beloved land.  I think this statement alludes to him being a student of the Bible.  He understood the prophecy in Daniel 9 that from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem under Cyrus to the Messiah would be 483 years.  As that decree went out in 445 BC the time was drawing near.  [Within the vast population of Jerusalem there were some who “Got it!”  Anna “spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:38)  Just as today, within the many who claim salvation, there are some who actually “Get it!”]

God told Simeon that he would not die before seeing the Messiah.  He had likely been asking for the privilege to see the Messiah and God made it known to him that such would happen.  Many others had likely asked the same and were not answered as was Simeon.  Why Simeon?  For one, he was Godly, which pleased God and God singled him out to use him to both affirm and to warn the parents.

“And the Holy Spirit was upon him.”  This is powerful as the Holy Spirit would come on some and then leave them in the days prior to the church age.  That he was so marked put him in a rare spot as he was especially singled out and touched by God.

What did that touch translate into?  1. A leading to go to the temple mount on a precise date and at a precise time.  2. A noting of one infant boy amongst possibly hundreds in the great temple crowd.  3. The most incredible privilege of holding the God of the universe in his arms.  4. A pronouncement that the Child was a Messiah also for the Gentiles (Joseph and Mary marveled, 2:33).  5. A prophecy that the Infant was going to bring about a glory for the Jews and Jerusalem (this did not happen then – it will happen and maybe soon!). 6. To publicly bless God – to set the example of church worship of God for sending the Son to rescue broken people (we need to follow his lead).  7. To pronounce a blessing on the couple – an affirmation of God’s choosing and care for them.  And 8. To lay out the path ahead as the Child would be wonderfully and powerfully used by God (a fall and rising of many in Israel), be a cause of conflicts (a sign spoken against), and bring a great pain to Mary (a sword would pierce her soul.  Veiled in that decree is that Joseph would die prior to the great pain Mary would experience).

Simeon – a single man used by God to verify Jesus as the Messiah and to teach of His ministry.