Today in Luke 2:21-24, we find Mary and Joseph bringing Jesus to the temple. He is eight days old, and it’s time for the Jewish rite of circumcision. This is when they would present the child to the Lord.
Genesis 17:12 “And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.”
This is where our character for today’s devotion comes in. Simeon had been waiting for the Messiah. He was an aged man, who was anxiously expecting the coming of the Messiah. Some historians believe he was a Levitical priest.
Luke 2:25 “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 tells us Simeon was a just and devout man. Just means that he was righteous before God and man. He was approved by God as a righteous man and discharging faithfully his duty to man.
He was also a devout man. This word means he was deeply committed to a religious cause. He was reverent and God-fearing, but what impresses me the most is that he was waiting for the “consolation of Israel” which is a prophetic term meaning the Messiah. Simeon knew the Messiah would be the one to bring peace, comfort, and relief from the afflictions on the people of Israel.
Luke 2:26 “And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”
Luke also records that the Holy Spirit was upon Simeon. At this time the Holy Spirit had not come to dwell within man, but the Holy Spirit came upon a select few, and only for a short while, so they could accomplish a specific task. After Pentecost in Acts 2, he came to dwell within all believers. The message he gave to Simeon was that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah.
Luke 2:27-30 “And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,”
Simeon took Jesus up in his arms and blessed God, and then he proclaimed that he was ready to die. God had not spoken to Israel as a nation in over 400 years. Yet, he did speak specifically to certain individuals who lived in faithfulness to Him. Simeon was one of those men. Can you imagine holding the Son of God? Looking into the face of “God in the flesh.” I can’t even imagine bowing before him. I don’t feel worthy to stand in his presence. Yet this child that Simeon was holding would make it possible for sinful men to be forgiven, and when His righteousness is applied to men’s lives, they can stand in God’s presence.
Luke2:34-35 “And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Mary is also given some hard words. Though up until now, she has been considered blessed, she now learns that with the blessing comes great pain. Simeon tells Mary, “A sword will pierce through your soul also.” Simeon may not have known the meaning of his words, but he was speaking as a prophet by the Holy Spirit. However, from our perspective, we take it as a foreshadowing of the future crucifixion of Jesus and the intense pain that Mary would go through.
Simeon has many character traits that we need in our own lives. He was seeking Jesus and would not be content until he saw him with his own eyes. Do we look for Jesus’s next coming? Are we seeking to serve and worship while we wait? Are we consistent in our quest to know him? How much of you does Jesus really have?
