Dare To Be A Simeon
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. As we celebrate this Christmas day and season together, the prophet Simeon is truly a biblical character worth our investigation as we reflect upon the Christmas story. Simeon’s life is marked by devotion to the Word of God and faithfulness to the promises of God. He is a man that saw things through the eyes of faith in spite of contradicting circumstances and God used him and still does to bless many. For centuries now Simeon has served the Scriptures well as an example of a life lived by faith so the Light of God might be brought to those in darkness. May you as I be blessed by His example.
Listen to this brief but beautiful passage of Scripture in Luke 2:25-35 where the life of Simeon is introduce to the pages of Holy Scripture:
25. And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27. And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28. then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29. "Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; 30. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 31. Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32. A light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel." 33. And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed-- 35. and a sword will pierce even your own soul--to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."
There are four encouraging truths to be drawn from Simeon’s life. May each of these truths encourage your walk with the Lord, as the New Year with many challenges approaches. First, SIMEON ALLOWED HIMSELF TO BE CONTROLLED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. Listen again to verses 25-27: “25. And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27. And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law,” Simeon’s very name is very indicative of his character. His name means “hearing” or “one who obeys.” Simeon was led by the Spirit of God, taught by the Word of God and obedient to the will 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 when we allow the Holy Spirit to control our life, God will reveal His deeper truths of Scripture 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 and John 16:14: “He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me; and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him, and will disclose Myself to him…He shall glorify Me, for He shall take of Mine, and shall disclose it to you.”
Simeon lovingly confronts us with this question: “WHO IS CONTROLLING MY LIFE TODAY? IS THE LORD ON THE THRONE OF MY LIFE ONLY 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)?
Second, SIMEON WAS PREPARED TO DIE. Listen again to verses 28-29: “28. then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29. "Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word;” ARE YOU READY TO DEPART IN PEACE? The Bible doesn’t say to “Get Ready”, it says, “Be Ready.” Death can come at anytime. Simeon’s example tells us, “IF THERE ARE SOME LAST MINUTE PREPARATIONS I NEED TO MAKE OR THINGS I NEED TO MAKE RIGHT, THEN I AM NOT READY TO MEET THE SAVIOR.” 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 your victory? O death, where is your sing?” (1 Corinthians 15:55) It is encouraging to note the word “DEPART” in verse 29 means to “release a prisoner; to unite a ship and set sail, to take down a tent and to unyoke a beast of burden.” The Apostle Paul used the same word in 2 Timothy 4:6-7 when speaking of his death: “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.”
Christmas means for the Christian that the appointed time of death will be liberating. 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 and the Christian to die. The Christian serves and simply trusts the Lord knows best when is time is done.
Third, SIMEON CARED FOR ALL LOST SOULS. Listen again to verses 30-32: “30. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 31. Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32. A light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel." 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. 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 whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life…There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Again, Simeon’s life lovingly asks us: "WHAT AM I PERSONALLY DOING TO SHOW I CARE FOR LOST SOULS?
Fourth, SIMEON BLESSED OTHERS BY SHARING THE WORD OF GOD. Listen again to verses 33-35: “33. And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed-- 35. and a sword will pierce even your own soul--to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed." Simeon was a source of blessing to Mary and Joseph because he shared the Word of God with them. 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 comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ (Romans 10:17).” Paul makes it clear in Romans 10:14: “How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?”
Notice, the word is a “sign” (verse 34) that reveals truth about Christ but also a “sword” (verse 35) that divides. It is also a discerner of thoughts and a revealer of intents. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” 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 2002 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 “DARE TO BE A SIMEON!” Ask God to give strength to stand and not lose heart and eyes to keep looking until you see God in every circumstance.
Merry Christmas, Brother Bruce
