Christmas Characters #3 – Simeon - 9th December 2007 am
The birth of the Messiah was an event that had been anticipated for hundreds of years as it was foretold through the prophets and in the Scriptures. God had promised a Saviour, and He gave that Saviour in a most magnificent way, but so many people missed it. The reason they missed it was because they were not listening and they were not looking.
The Scriptures tell us though that after the days of Mary’s purification, when Jesus was about 40 days old his parents took Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord and to offer a sacrifice to God as was prescribed in the Law. When they arrived at the temple, they met a man who was awaiting their arrival; a man who had been listening.
The man’s name was Simeon, and verse 25 says that this man was a just and devout man who waited for the consolation of Israel. We are told that the Holy Spirit was upon him as well. To say that he was just and devout is to say that he was holy: a morally upright man who was fully consecrated to God. He was a religious man, and it was his hope to see the Saviour, the comfort of Israel.
It has been said shepherds in the fields were taught by angels but the prophet Simeon in the Temple was taught by the Holy Spirit. Simeon is not a person we tend to think of as part of the Christmas story, but he could have seen the Lord even before the Wise Men came. Simeon’s life is marked by devotion to the Word of God and faithfulness to the promises of God.
So who is he? Some scholars have suggested that Simeon was the son of the famous rabbi Hillel and the father of Paul’s tutor Gamaliel. This Simeon became president of the Sanhedrin in AD 13. The Mishna, however, which tells of the great rabbis and their achievements, ignores Simeon – maybe it was because of his belief in Christ.
In any case he was looking forward to the “consolation of Israel.” This phrase was used among the Jews as a formula of blessing. There are four encouraging truths to be drawn from Simeon’s life. May each of these truths encourage your walk with the Lord.
I. Simeon Allowed Himself to be controlled by the Holy Spirit – Verses 25-27a
The name Simeon’s name means “hearing” the Bible says that “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom 10:17). This suggests that Simeon spend much of his time pouring over the Scripture.
The Old Testament Jew revered the Scripture: nevertheless, the Old Testament was full of unattainable precepts, unfulfilled promises, and unexplained procedures. In Romans 7 Paul explains his inability to keep the Law. To what purpose were all of the endless sacrifices? What about the multitude of prophecies that remained unfulfilled?
Old Simeon understood that these seeming deficiencies could be resolved only in the person of Christ (Daniel 9:24-26). Christ was the answer; Christ was the one who filled in all the blanks. The Spirit of God made it clear to Simeon that he would see Him when He came. We can only imagine how eagerly he scanned the faces of young and old after that.
Simeon was led by the Spirit of God, taught by the Word of God, obedient to the will of God and therefore he was privileged to see the Salvation of God. He is proof that a life led by the Holy Spirit will be righteous and devout. It is a life that always looks for the Lord in every circumstance.
Likewise, Simeon teaches us that when we allow the Holy Spirit to control our life, God will reveal Himself to us. For example, verse 26 tells us Simeon knew he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Jesus confirmed these truths as well to us in John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him and will manifest myself to him.
He wasn’t some old weirdo who spent all his days wandering around the temple hoping to meet the Saviour. He was a man who had studied the Scriptures that told when the Saviour would be born, the same Scriptures that the wise men used to know when He would be born, and then, led by the Spirit of God according to verse 27 he waited at the temple for what he knew would occur: the Saviour’s parents would bring Him there to offer Him to the Lord.
He wasn’t there because he had special revelation that no one else had – he was there to see the Saviour because he had paid attention to what so many others had not taken the time to see. He was there because he listened to the voice that so many others had allowed to be drowned out by the hustle and bustle of life.
Simeon lovingly confronts us with this question: “who is controlling your life today? Is the Lord on the throne of you life verbally or in action and deed?” Simeon’s words and works went together. He was willing to die to self that he might live for Christ. Should we not do the same Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
II. Simeon was Prepared to Die - Verses 27b-29
Then one day it happened. He saw a young man and a young woman, both of peasant stock, they looked poor. They carried a Babe. They were coming into the Temple to present Him to God. The Holy Spirit urged Simeon, “That’s Him!” He steps forward, of course, a Babe. All doubts were swept aside. This is the One the prophets had written about. Verse 28.
The old man gazed into the Baby’s face, the face of God manifest in the flesh. Instantly he was ready to die. Verses 29 Death was no longer a devourer but a deliverer. By one man sin had entered the world and death by sin, with this small Babe salvation had arrived. Satan’s vast realm reeled. Just wait until this Babe became a man.
Are you ready to leave this world? Are you ready to depart in peace? The Bible doesn’t say to “Get Ready”, it says, “Be Ready.” Death can come at anytime. Are we prepared to meet the Saviour, have we made to correct preparations? Simeon was ready to die and depart in peace and his life encourages us that the same can be true for us should death come unexpectedly.
It has been said, “Only those by faith that have had a sight of Christ can with courage see death and look it in the face without terror.” The Christian ready to meet the Lord can say, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55)
It is encouraging to note the word “DEPART” in verse 29 means to “set free; to release a prisoner; to acquit one accused of a crime and set him at liberty; to release a debtor.” The Apostle Paul used the same word in 2 Timothy 4:6-7 when speaking of his death: “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
Death frees the believer in Christ from the burden of this life and leads into the blessings of the next life. But notice who does the releasing in verse 29 – it is the Lord. He alone is the author and finisher of faith. He alone has set the appointed time for the Christian to die. The Christian serves and simply trusts the Lord who knows best when his time is done.
III. Simeon Cared for Lost Souls – Verses 30-32
Verses 31 and 32 make it clear that Simeon knew Jesus was THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD not just a candle in the Jewish candlestick. Simeon could see beyond his own agenda, his own people and his own nation into the divine plan of God through which ALL people could be reconciled to Him through His Son.
A truth from Isaiah 42:6 flashed into Simeon’s mind, “I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.”
This salvation was not just for the Jews, it was for the Gentiles as well.
Simeon knew by faith what Jesus would later tell Nicodemus and the Apostle Paul would later tell the churches at Gatatia: “For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life…There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Again, Simeon’s life lovingly asks us: "What are we doing to show that we care for lost souls? What are we doing to reach a lost and dying world? What are we doing to help those who are walking around in darkness?
Christ can save the lost. Christ can set captives free. Christ can bring light to those in darkness. Christ can give sight to those who are blind. Christ can heal the broken hearted. Christ can bring salvation to ALL those who call upon His name.
IV. Simeon Blessed Others by Sharing the Word of God – Verses 34-35
Simeon was a source of blessing to Mary and Joseph because he shared the Word of God with them. When speaking about Christ he used three important images: the stone, the sign and the sword.
A. Stone – Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel;
The stone is an important Old Testament image of God. Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock… Psalm 71:3… for thou art my rock… The Messiah would be a “rejected cornerstone” (Acts 4:11) and the nation of Israel would stumble over Him. (Rom 9:32)
Because of Jesus Christ many in Israel would fall in conviction and then rise in salvation. Even today, God’s people Israel stumble over the cross 1 Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness.. They do not understand that Jesus Christ is their Rock.
B. Sign – and for a sign which shall be spoken against
The word sign means “a miracle,” not so much as a demonstration of power but as a revelation of divine truth. Our Lord’s miracles in John’s Gospel are called “signs” because they reveal special truths about Him. Jesus Christ is God’s miracle; and instead of admiring Him, the people attacked Him and spoke against Him.
His birth was a miracle, yet they slandered it John 8:41… then said they unto him, We be not born of fornication; They said His miracles were done in the power of Satan (Mat 12:22-24). They slandered His death and lied about His resurrection. Today, people are even speaking against His coming again.
C. Sword – (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed
The image of the sword was for Mary alone, and it spoke of the suffering and sorrow she would bear as the mother of the Messiah (this suggests that Joseph was dead when Christ began His earthly ministry 30 years later, or Joseph would have been included.)
The Greek word means a large sword such as Goliath used in 1 Sam 17:51, and the verb means “constantly keep on piercing” During our Lord’s life and ministry, Mary did experience more and more sorrow until one day she stood by His cross and saw Him suffer and die.
How much did Mary and Joseph understand of God’s great plan for this miracle child?
People are blessed when we by faith share the Word of God with them. It is often the very things they need to hear or speaks to the very thought upon their heart.
The Bible tells us “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).” Paul makes it clear in Romans 10:14: “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?”
The Word of God forces one to choose whom he will serve this day. Simeon’s life for which we are most grateful boldly asks the question: “WHAT DO YOU THINK OF JESUS CHRIST?”
This is still the most important question in Christmas 2007 for anybody to answer, By your response, you determine not only how you live now but also where you spend eternity when your time of departure comes. My advice is “Take a leave out of Simeon’s book” Ask God to give strength to stand and not lose heart and eyes to keep looking until you see God in every circumstance.
