The Light and Glory of God • Luke 2:25-35
By Paula Smith
Happy New Year 2022!
The WAIT is over! Just a month ago we were discussing Isaiah’s prophecy and how long the people had waited for the Messiah.
Today we capture more about WAITING from the life of Simeon in Luke 2.
What can we learn from what the Bible tells us about Simeon?
Simeon obeyed God’s Word by waiting. “Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon…” (Luke 2:25a ESV)
Simeon was living in Jerusalem at the time. It’s always been my dream to live in Jerusalem – it seems it’s the center of the world. It was the political and religious center of Israel at the time and still is today.
Simeon’s name means “God has heard”. I wonder when his parents named him did they know that the Lord would speak directly to Simeon and tell him he would see with his own eyes “the consolation of Israel” before he died! God had heard His people. He sent the answer to their prayers! “And this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” (Luke 2:25b ESV)
Simeon was righteous and devout. Righteous shows his obedience to God’s Word toward other people. Devout show his obedience to God’s Word toward God. Simeon knew the Bible – the Word of God – and he obeyed it.
It was the hope and prayer of every Jew that the Messiah would come and bring peace and comfort to the people of Israel. “The consolation of Israel” is referring to Jesus and used often in Isaiah. Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would come and Simeon was waiting for him.
The Holy Spirit was on Simeon. This means that Simeon was specially chosen by God to do something specific for God.
This is very significant because before Pentecost in Acts 2 not all believers had the Holy Spirit upon them. He only came upon a few and sometimes only for a short while. After Pentecost, the Holy Spirit lives in all believers permanently.
What was this specific thing the Lord asked of Simeon? “And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” (Luke 2:26 ESV)
Simeon was asked…. to wait! What a promise made to him! I’m not sure of Simeon’s age. Tradition says he was 113 years old. However old he was it seems he had waited a long time. But… why? A possible answer is found in the commentary “redeeminggod.com”. It suggests the point is found in Deuteronomy 19:15 which states that on the evidence of two or three witnessesa matter will be confirmed. The witnesses God used were the shepherds (Luke 2:8-20), Simeon (Luke 2: 25-35) and Anna (Luke 2:36-38).
Witnesses speak what they have seen and heard. The wait was over and even though Simeon had been waiting on the sidelines for a long time, it was time to step up and be a witness and speak!
Simeon understands that Jesus is coming, not to deliver the Jews from their enemies and make Israel head of all nations, but instead, that His salvation is for ALL people and will bring revelation to the Gentiles as well as the Jews.
Simeon continues to give witness and prophecy. “And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:33-35 ESV)
Saying this again shows that Simeon understands what Jesus was coming for– to cause the fall and rising of many in Israel and to be spoken against. That is exactly what happened. Most of the leaders in Israel rejected Jesus and they fall from their positions. Others accepted him and rise to leadership in the church. The thoughts of many hearts were revealed.
Simeon knew what to wait for. He waited for and looked forward to Christ’s first coming. We are to wait for Christ’s second coming. Just like Simeon we eagerly wait and look for the Lord to appear. (Romans 8:23-25) This helps me to live with eternity in mind. It helps me to be a witness of Who the Light and Glory of God is.
Smith is a member of Ridgecrest Church, Madison. She may be contacted at pgrace56@hotmail.com.
