Subject – The Christmas Story: SIMEON . . . A TRUE BELIEVER!
Text – Luke 2:25-26
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” 33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Luke 2:25-35 NIV
INTRODUCTION –
We can’t help but notice how there is so many people living such ungodly lives today. Lascivious and Debaucheries living seems to be the order of the day. Many people seem to be living outside of the legal and common rules of society, and are just doing what they want to do. Even the idea of the family dynamic is all but gone out the window.
Some might say that I am pointing out the obvious; and there are others who are saying that it has been predicted and prophesied that these days would come. With this knowledge, so many people have elected to simply go through the motions of their lives, accept things as being the “Way it is today,” and wait for the end of their lives, and or the world as they know it to come!
Of course there are those who are leaning to their religious convictions. Depending on what a person’s religious belief is, they might be inclined to state that this is not the first time the people of the world were found to be living in a fashion that was not pleasing to GOD. We read in the word of GOD that during one these times, there was a “righteous and devout” man who was PRAYING, LIVING, and WAITING for the Messiah to come and restore Israel back to a time of peace, obedience and comfort. This man’s name was Simeon. (Expound).
Now I know that you are wondering “what does this man have to do with the Christmas story?” We may not know a whole lot about the history of Simeon, but what we do know says a lot about him:
POINTS –
- His name means “Hearing, Hears and Obeys; or Hearing with Acceptance.”
- He was a righteous and devout man.
- He was waiting for the Messiah to come and restore the people of Israel.
- The Holy Ghost was on him.
- The Holy Ghost told him that he would not die before he saw the LORD’s Messiah (expound).
- (v. 25) – Despite how many of the people were living in Israel, Simeon has been singled out as one who was living righteously and devoutly; and he was also found to have a heart for Israel. Simeon also believed in his heart that the Messiah was going to come and restore Israel. We are told in the scriptures that the “Holy Spirit was on him” (expound).
- (v. 26) – The Holy Spirit revealed the promise to Simeon that he would not die before he had the chance to see “the Lord’s Messiah.”
- To us this looks like GOD blessed Simeon for his faithfulness.
- Even then there were a number of false people going around claiming to be the Messiah; but the Holy Spirit made it clear to Simeon that it would be God’s Messiah who he would see (expound).
- One could look at this as a tremendous blessing because the Messiah may not be coming for years. However, what if the Messiah was coming the next day? (Expound)
CONCLUSION –
The reason why I want to include Simeon in the Christmas Story is because not only was the promise that God made to Simeon very unique, but when we read verses 27-35, we must take notice of Simeon’s interactions with Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. We cannot ignore the blessing and prophecies that Simeon spoke* (expound). He could have believed that he might be in the marketplace or just hanging out when the Messiah would be revealed to him. Maybe he might be traveling and he would cross paths with the Messiah.
Simeon did not forget the promise the Holy Spirit made to him. One day Simeon was led by the Holy Spirit to go to the temple, and it would be at this time and place when he would have the experience that he could never have dreamed of having; this where he would not only get to see the Messiah, but Simeon would actually get to hold Jesus in his arms! Simeon reminded the LORD of his promise and said that he was ready to be “dismissed” by Him. Simeon did not try to parlay for more time, but taking the Messiah in his arms he then bestowed a blessing (benediction) upon the Messiah; along with a prophetic word (expound).
My sisters and my brothers, are you one of those who are so busy complaining about how the world is doing what the world does? Or are you praying for the souls that belong to GOD as you are going about doing your part to help fulfill the dictates of “The Great Commission?” Is your focus so much on going to Heaven that you have allowed yourself to lose your compassion for the many souls that appear to be going to Hell? Are these not the souls that Believers and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ were commissioned and commanded to go out and get?
Could the account of Simeon be excluded from the Christmas Story and the story still be as effective?
*Isaiah 42:6; 49:6; Acts 13:47; 26:23; Isaiah 8:14; Matthew 21:44; 1Corinthians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 2:16; Galatians 5:11; 1Peter 2:7, 8