"Simeon’s Story Is Our Story”

In Jesus Holy Name December 29, 2019

Luke 2:25-26 Christmas I

“Simeon’s Story is Our Story”

One of my favorite characters of the Christmas story is Simeon. We meet Simeon on the day Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple for his consecration ceremony, as required by the law of Moses. In another part of town, Simeon felt a nudge in his heart to go to the temple. (see Luke 2:27). He was not told why; he just knew he was to go. Luke writes: “Moved by the Spirit” he went to the Temple.

Ever have a divine prompting like that? It might be mysterious; a voice in your head or perhaps a name you haven’t thought of in years flashes through your mind, and you feel the urgent need to pause and pray for them or give them a call. (devotion Max Lucado)

Whatever the case, Luke tells us this wasn’t the first time God had spoken clearly to Simeon. Once before, when he was younger, maybe in his 30’s or 40’s, we don’t know, but God had assured Simeon, that he would see the Messiah before he died (see Luke 2:26).

Forty days have passed since the birth of Jesus. Mary and Joseph now return to the Temple to “redeem” their firstborn son. There was no halo over the holy family to distinguish them from hundreds of other families, so how would he know which child, which family? There were many young families coming to dedicate their newborn sons.

Aside from what we are told in Luke 2, we know nothing about Simeon. We don’t know his background, his hometown, his education, or even his occupation. Luke tells us that he is an old man—but even that is not a certain fact. He simply appears on the stage of history in the drama surrounding the birth of Christ. After his part is over, he fades from the scene, never to be heard from again.

This was a divine encounter. Luke tells the story this way: Read Luke 2:25-32)

How long had Simeon been waiting to see the Messiah? How many years had passed between the Holy Spirit revealing to him that he would not die until he had seen the Christ. We are not told. Whatever the amount of time that had passed, Simeon was waiting in eager expectation, for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel.

Simeon was waiting. No doubt he was living in Jerusalem and as a righteous man he would have been a regular attender at the Temple for worship and prayer. The Holy Spirit had told him, “You will not die before you see the Messiah.”

Each day Simeon would be at the Temple. Over the years how many questions did he have? How would he know what the Messiah would look like? What or who should he look for? Was he to look for a baby? Or was he looking for a teenager or a strong young man like King David. No one knows the answer to those questions. He didn’t either but he held on to the promise and waited.

Day by day he kept watch over the throngs coming into the Temple. Each time a young couple came in with a baby, he whispered, “Is that the one?” Perhaps he is now 75 or even 80 years old. Perhaps he has a long gray beard, stooped shoulders, wrinkled face, bushy eyebrows, and trembling hands. If so, then he knows it can’t be long. The Lord’s Christ must be coming at any moment.

Into the temple walks Mary holding the baby in her arms with Joseph by her side. Jesus is only forty days old. Nothing unusual about the couple. Joseph is a poor carpenter from Nazareth, she is a peasant girl carrying a little baby boy. They are obviously from the country. They obviously don’t have much money. If you were people-watching, you wouldn’t give them a second glance.

I can see Simeon waiting, watching. Which one? What family? What child? Then suddenly the Spirit, the voice of Jesus points him to Mary and Joseph.

Suddenly Simeon’s heart leaps within him. The long days of waiting are finally over. The Lord’s Messiah is before him. Here is the One for whom the nation has been waiting. He walks over, introduces himself, and says, “Do you mind if I hold your child?” As Mary gives the infant Jesus to Simeon, he praised God. His words became a song that has come down through the centuries to us as the final and climactic song of Christmas. The song is called the Nunc Dimittis.

“Sovereign Lord, as you had promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the

sight of all people. A light for revelation to the Gentiles and to the glory of your people Israel.”