Simeon

Text: Luke 2:25-32

Simeon is a spiritual man.  Notice how many times God’s spirit is mentioned in connection with Simeon.  The Holy Spirit is upon him in verse 25.  The Holy Spirit reveals a specific promise to Simeon in verse 26.  The Holy Spirit leads Simeon into the temple in verse 27. Then you see the results of the Holy Spirit’s close personal involvement in a man’s life.

Simeon is a welcome vessel for the Holy Ghost (vs 25)

  • Some places you feel more comfortable than others.  The Holy Ghost is the same way. Seal of God’s approval is His Spirit.  Simeon displayed characteristics of the Spirit of God.
  • Waiting for the consolation of Israel meant he had an earnest expectation of God’s redemptive work.
    • Waiting like waiting tables.  It is an active waiting. If you’re really waiting on a table, you do everything you can to make their experience pleasant.  Orders taken timely. Drinks stay full. Isn’t it frustrating when your waiter stops waiting on you. I imagine God feels the same way.
    • Waiting is defined as:
      • Just means doing right; it is justice
      • Devout means committed. This is someone who is invested themselves in the consolation of Israel.
      • We want God to do a work in our lives so that we can then commit ourselves to him.  The reality is that God’s work is the reverse of that. Nothing great can be done in your life UNTIL there is a commitment on your part to the Lord.
      • Psalm 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
      • Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Holy Ghost revealed a promise to Simeon (vs 26)

  • Holy Spirit of promise
  • Assurance and confidence
  • It was revealed to him because Simeon was looking for the consolation of Israel.  People looking for Jesus Christ get answers; they get confidence and assurance.

Spirit of God led Simeon to Jesus Christ (vss 27-32)

  • Leading of the Spirit of God leads to fulfilled promises and peace.

Simeon’s prophecy (vss 34-35)

  • Perhaps the only man who saw the resurrection.