Simeon's Christmas
Today’s Verse:
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. ~Luke 2:25
We are blessed to have the Holy Scriptures for the full and accurate account of the birth of the Lord Jesus. There are the fulfilled prophecies. There is the announcement of the angel Gabriel of the virgin birth to Mary and Joseph. Then, there are people who have seemingly lesser and, yet, not an unimportant part in the birth of the Lord Jesus. You see, the birth of Jesus touches every life. It brings us face-to-face with the fact that Jesus came to earth for every sinner. It sheds light on God’s promise that a faithful man shall abound with blessings. We are looking at a man who is mentioned only one time. He shows us how God uses faithful people. This man is Simeon.
We see the anticipation of Simeon.
Simeon was an older man. We are not told how old, but it is inferred that he was up in age. Time can pass us by very quickly, and then, we realize that we are nearer to eternity. Simeon lived his life in anticipation of the coming of the Lord. His outlook was positive. His vision looked upward. He lived his life blameless and to the glory of God. He is described as just and devout. People, events, and circumstances did not change his perspective. He lived looking for the coming of the Lord. We who look for Jesus and the rapture of the saints can learn much from Simeon’s example. Stay faithful because Jesus could come at any moment. A Simeon Christmas waits for Jesus to come.
We see the anointing of Simeon.
We are told three times of the powerful influence the Holy Spirit had in Simeon’s life. "The Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost.... And he came by the Spirit into the temple." Simeon was anointed! He lived for and experienced the fullness of the Spirit life. He was filled with the Spirit. He was a man who followed the Spirit. He was a man who was fruitful in the Spirit. An anointed life is a pleasing life to God. It is a life that is productive to God. It is a life that is close in relationship with God. A Simeon Christmas is one that lives in the anointing of the Spirit.
We see the agreement with Simeon.
Simeon was greatly rewarded for a God-pleasing life. The Holy Ghost told him that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ. This promise made him steadfast in the waiting for the consolation, or comfort, of Israel to arrive. Can you imagine Simeon waking every day and going to bed every night with eager anticipation of the Lord’s coming? Can you imagine how he planned his day to redeem the time?
We see the achievement of Simeon.
One day, the Spirit led him into the temple, and there, he saw Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Before Mary and Joseph were to dedicate Jesus and make an offering for Him, Simeon knew that this was Him Whom he had been waiting for. He moved towards them, took the Baby Jesus in his hands, and held Him. He had been close to the Lord in his walk with him, and now, he had the privilege of holding the Lord in his arms. He believed in the coming of the Lord, and here He was. He believed in the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 and the miracle of the virgin birth, and here was Mary and Joseph standing alongside of him. What happened that moment as he held the Lord Jesus in his arms was what Hebrews 11:6 says: “He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”!
We see the announcement of Simeon.
Simeon was God’s spokesman to Mary of the sweetness and the sorrows that she would endure as the mother of the Lord Jesus. He ended his announcement by saying “that the thoughts of many may be revealed.” That is a gripping statement. Jesus reveals who is for Him and who is against Him. He reveals the true from the fake.
As Christmas approaches, what are your real motives in life? Do you live to be closer to the Lord, or are you going about the motions of life? Determine today to have a Simeon Christmas.
Have a holy God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: James 1-5