I love all of Fall from start to finish. Man, I hope you’re having a great Advent Season this year too.
So what do you know of Simeon, an Advent-man of faith from back in the day? Did your family do anything for Advent time? Did y’all have any family traditions at Christmas time?
Been thinkin’ about the first Christmas and those alive at the time. Simeon was a great man in Jerusalem (Luke 2:25) who lived at the time Jesus was born. Simeon’s reputation was that of being “righteous and devout” (Luke 2:25). For generations the people of God waited for and expected a Messiah, a Savior. Simeon was like his fellow Israelites in that he waited “for the consolation of Israel” (verse 25). The concept of consolation implies comfort. The nation of Israel was waiting for God’s comfort, expecting that He would come and rescue them (Luke 23:50–51; Mark 15:43; Acts 10:22), just as He had done in delivering them from slavery and bringing them out of Egypt (Exodus 14). Simeon was unique in what he knew—namely, that he would see the Messiah with his own eyes, for “it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah” (Luke 2:26).
Joseph and Mary, in faithfulness to the Law, traveled to Jerusalem while Jesus was still an infant to present Him to God in the temple (Luke 2:22; cf. Exodus 13:1–2). It is during their visit to the temple that Simeon saw Jesus, the long-awaited “consolation of Israel.” We don’t know how long Simeon had waited, but we do know that he was led by the Spirit to go to the temple that day, and he recognized Jesus the moment he saw Him.
When Simeon saw the baby Jesus, he picked Him up in his arms and said, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel” (Luke 2:29–32).
Simeon’s words assert that 1) Jesus would be the salvation of the world, 2) He would deliver truth not only to those in Israel but also to the Gentiles, and 3) Jesus would bring glory upon the people of Israel. Luke records that Jesus’ parents “marveled at what was said about him” (Luke 2:33).
You remember this story! Simeon spoke to Mary, Jesus’ earthly mother. He said, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:34). In this prophecy, Simeon said that 1) some of the Jewish people would believe that Jesus is the “consolation of Israel,” and some would not, 2) there would be much opposition to Jesus in the future, 3) Jesus would reveal the truth, and 4) Jesus’ suffering would cause Mary much pain, personally.
I was raised in a religious Roman church for a lot of years.. until I found out that God is not religious. He never was, but we kept a few good Christmas traditions around the holiday. I remember at my home growing up we would light Advent candles as we got closer to Christmas. Not sure why really. It did look nice like any lights do this time of year. I like the white, the gold, and even the multi colored lights this time of year. I like the white and the gold ones all year long.
Advent means the arrival.. as in the coming of the most notable and noble personality in the whole universe. Jesus Christ -- I love Him and want to more so.
You and me, we be livin’ between two advents of Christ here to this earth and from this we can be inspired in the Bible, edified by His kind Spirit, and totally motivated to go tell the Story. I mean our own story and share His Story too to help others and glorify the Lord.
"And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." 1 John 3:3 nkjv
I love these verses too -- this Bible story at Christmas time. Anyways here’s what we know of Simeon.
"And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
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.
So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law,
he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
‘Lord,
now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word; for my
eyes have seen Your salvation which
You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light
to bring revelation
to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.’
And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.
Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against ‘(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.’” Luke 2:22-35
Think about the second Advent (where Jesus comes as Sovereign). It’s not that far off really. And it’s just as sure (gunna happen) as Christ's first Advent (happened where Jesus came to earth as Savior -- any of us could be forgiven and saved as the Bible uses that term still). Second advent - Jesus will come again and we all need to be ready for Him.
What do I get from this story? Well, like Simeon believed God’s promise, and just like he sought Him.. we need to do the same. See Matthew 6:33.
Simeon was longing for Him, and he was preparing to see His face. That’s what we are to long for -- to meet with, to see Jesus face to face.
Simeon was older, but was looking up, praying up to God the Father, he wasn’t down or looking down. I want to do that too. I'm looking for the upper-taker not the undertaker. Live rapture ready even if you're mid or post trib.
"And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming." 1 Jn. 2:28
The Rapture of the Church could happen real soon. There are no Bible prophecies that need to happen before it happens.
Perhaps today? Let’s eagerly wait on the Lord knowing him in an ever closer and personal kinda way. Let’s live rapture-ready every day.
"..so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation." Hebrews 9:28
"For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day." 2 Timothy 1:12
Simeon (in Luke 2:25) wasn’t grumpy or grippy, He had hope and a promise that he wouldn't die until he'd seen Jesus in His first advent. And it happened as he was told. God’s word always comes to pass.
"He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all." Rev. 22:21-22
Simeon means "pillar". The name Simeon also means God hearer and God receiver as well. Hey, you too can hear God’s Message today and you and received him into your heart. Sure, turn, trust and just invite him into your heart.
Simeon's first priority was biblical worship and prayer.
Listen, your best day is when you hear Jesus’ words, turn, trust, believe, worship! Yep, it'll also be when you see the face of Jesus like Simeon did.
What beats a face to face relationship with Jesus for anyone? Nothing.
So, got some questions about the deep-devotion of Simeon? For all of us our first ministry is biblical worship of God, and then while we can it's people-ward.
Good idea: Let's know the Lord and make Him known this time of year. Let's sing His praises and make disciples by faith. Let's tactfully preach word in a non-preachy or pushy way, as well as go... Fish4souls.org
1. Who was Simeon in the Bible?
Who are the different men named Simeon in the Bible?
2. What can we learn from the
tribe of Simeon?
Who be this devout man, Simeon? What does the Bible say
about the tribe of Simeon?
3. What
is the consolation of Israel?
What does it mean that Simeon was waiting for the
consolation of Israel? Consolation has to do with comfort right?
4. What is the Nunc Dimittis?
What is the meaning of the Nunc Dimittis in Luke
2:29-32?
5. What was the Bar Kokhba
revolt?
Was the Bar Kokhba revolt successful?
6. Who was Levi in the Bible?
Who was Levi in the Bible? What can I learn from what
the Bible says about Levi?
7. What does the Bible say about
the virgin Mary?
Did she really stay a virgin, this wonderful lady, Mary?
Is the Roman Catholic understanding of the virgin Mary biblical?
8. Why
is the tribe of Dan missing from the 144,000 in Revelation chapter 7?
What happened to the tribe of Dan that resulted in it
not being included in?
9. What can we learn from the
tribe of Levi, you know the Levites?
Weren’t they all about proper worship the tribe of Levi?
10. What
are the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs?
Are those even biblical?
11. Who was Joseph in the Old
Testament? | GotQuestions.org
Who was Joseph in the Old Testament? How is
understanding the life of Joseph valuable to our spiritual growth?
12. Who was Dinah in the Bible?
What happened between Dinah, Shechem, Hamor, Jacob,
Simeon, and Levi?
13. What is the significance of
Ramah in the Bible?
What biblical events happened in or near Ramah?
14. Do the narratives of Jesus’
birth contradict each other?
Nope, but the four humans that God used to write them
like any author used slant because they were writing to different audiences in
hopes of winning them to a relationship their first love passion -- Jesus.
