An ol' man named Simeon....

Taking a look at the above verse’s within Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth, it could be very easy to pass over the importance of one witness of a simple man, that of Simeon. As Luke writes the account of the birth of Jesus, he also includes the importance of this simple man, within the birth account… for Simeon was not a prophet of the day, nor a teacher of Jewish law and traditions, but that of a an old man for whom the Spirit of God had given him enlightenment to the coming of the Messiah. As Luke writes, this man had a heart for God, for his heart was righteous and sincere, and that it was shaped by God’s Spirit Himself… And yes, this man was also a Jew.

Interesting to note a few things of this Simeon: that 1) the Holy Spirit was upon Him. and 2) that Luke judged Simeon to be a man that was… a) righteous, b) a sincere believer of God, c) knew his OT scriptures in the coming consolation of Israel, d) that God’s own Spirit revealed to Simeon Himself, e) and that Simeon would not die until he saw the Lord’s Christ, and f) was led by God to the day [8 days later after Jesus’ birth] when Joseph, Mary and Jesus where in the Temple of the circumcision of Jesus and given His name – in accordance to the fulfillment of the scriptures.

And Simeon is quoted to 1) bless God, 2) thanking Him for revealing to him His Christ, 3) for his faith becoming real, 4) is called a bond-servant as were the apostles, and that according to the OT scriptures now seen, he has peace in his salvation --- for he sees the face of the baby Jesus - the Christ of God…. And he thus knowing the scriptures, because of God's Spirit being upon him, confirms that Jesus will be “a LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel…. For “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed-- and a sword will pierce even your own soul--to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."


Simeon, a simple man who was saved by God in the promise of the coming King in Jesus Christ, being filled with God’s Spirit – no different that you or I in coming to faith we have been given [Ephesians 2], seeing Jesus as the living word of God [John 1], telling Mary His mother that Jesus was appointed for the fall and the rise of many in Israel… for He will be a sign to Israel that many will oppose, and that the sword that pierced Jesus own body and heart yet to come, will in kind -- pierce each man’s own heart as to whether His Spirit is within them, as He was within Simeon, for testimony of knowing that this babe of Mary is indeed, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Praise be to God, for His wondrous gift of salvation to all who would believe! Simeon believed, therefor he lives!


For His Glory and return....