Simeon (Christmas Hope)

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Simeon’s Hope

Text: Luke 2:25-32

Simeon is a spiritual man. He’s an informed man: very informed about the things of God. And this is how a man who knows about the Lord conducts his business.

Waiting on the consolation of Israel (vs 25)

• Why is he waiting? 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.
• Revealed by the Holy Ghost means a combination of the scriptures and the peace of God.
• 2 Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
  • Simeon, like the wise men from the east, is familiar with Christ in the old testament scripture that he also knows the timing that Jesus Christ would be born. When he realizes the timing, I imagine his eyes open and he thinks to himself, This could happen in my lifetime! And the peace of God through the scriptures and comfort of the Holy Ghost ministers to his spirit with assurance, Yes, you will see this child born.
  • Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. (Opposite of double minded.)
• How did he wait for the consolation of Israel?
  • Waiting like waiting tables. It’s an active waiting. If you’re waiting on a table, you do everything you can to make their experience pleasant because you’re looking for a reward. Orders taken timely. Drinks stay full. Isn’t it frustrating when your waiter stops waiting on you. I imagine God feels the same way when people claiming Christianity stop waiting on the LORD.
  • 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.

Simeon is led by the Spirit of God (vss 27-32)

• Leading of the Spirit of God are the children of God
• Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
• Consider the contrast of Simeon and religious leadership. Simeon is not a Pharisee. He doesn’t appear to have any teaching titles like the Scribes and Pharisees. But the LORD would say of most of those religious leaders is that they are no more God’s children than the rocks are. In fact the rocks are more God’s children than they are.
• God’s children aren’t the ones with the titles. They aren’t the conservative political groups. They aren’t the liberal political groups. They aren’t the ones who served in military and loved their country. They aren’t the ones in law enforcement who protect their community. They aren’t the big givers at the 4H auction. God’s children are the ones led by the Spirit of God.
• Led to the temple where he’d find Jesus.
• Led through the shadow of death
  • Simeon now prepared for death since he’s seen the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Psalm 23
• Simeon understands more about the work of God in Jesus Christ than the teachers of the scriptures.
  • Apparently there is much more to understand about Jesus Christ and his work to the Jew first then to the Greek than we give the old testament credit for.
  • Didn’t Jesus teach Nicodemus about being born of the Spirit (that’s a child of God), then marvelled that Nicodemus as teacher in Israel didn’t know this.
  • Didn’t Jesus recommend the old testament to the religious leaders saying, Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
  • Wasn’t it Paul, so well versed in the scriptures, old testament to you and I, who said said in 1 Corinthians 15, For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Simeon’s prophecy (vss 34-35)

• Perhaps the only man who saw the resurrection.
• The work of the Lord Jesus Christ to reveal the secrets and intents of men’s hearts.
• Acts 17:30-31 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.