SIMEON PRAISED GOD
Dec
27
Written by:
12/27/2010 12:00 AM
SIMEON PRAISED GOD
Dec. 12, 2010
(Luke 2:25 NIV) 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 upon him. (Luke 2:26 NIV) It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. (Luke 2:27 NIV) 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, (Luke 2:28 NIV) Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: (Luke 2:29 NIV) "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. (Luke 2:30 NIV) For my eyes have seen your salvation, (Luke 2:31 NIV) which you have prepared in the sight of all people, (Luke 2:32 NIV) a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." (Luke 2:33 NIV) The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. (Luke 2:34 NIV) 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, (Luke 2:35 NIV) so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."
Next Sunday we will have our Christmas service. Christmas is the time we set aside every year to remember the birth of Jesus, the savior of the world. My wife will give the message next Sunday, but today I would like to give a message concerning the birth of Jesus. On the eighth day after Jesus was born he was circumcised and given the name Jesus, the name the angel Gabriel had given him before he had been conceived. On the 40th day after Jesus`s birth he was consecrated (presented) to the Lord. (Luke 2:22 NIV) When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. At the same time Simeon was led by the Holy Spirit to go to the temple courts. This was the day that Simeon had been waiting for. We do not know how long Simeon waited, but it may have been years. Simeon was a righteous and devout man when the spiritual condition of Israel was very bad. Nevertheless, Simeon was a man that was led by the Holy Spirit. It is very important that we are led by the Holy Spirit. I believe in the days to come being led by the Holy Spirit will be even more important. Simeon had received a revelation from God that he would not die before he had seen the consolation of Israel or the Lord`s Christ (the Messiah). Simeon was a strong believer and he knew he would see what God had promised would come to pass. If God has revealed something to you hold on to that promise until it comes to pass. God always keeps his promises.
When Simeon saw Joseph and Mary with their baby he knew immediately the baby Jesus was the consolation of Israel or the Messiah. The great moment he had been waiting for had finally arrived. (Luke 2:28 NIV) Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: (Luke 2:29 NIV) "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. (Luke 2:30 NIV) For my eyes have seen your salvation, (Luke 2:31 NIV) which you have prepared in the sight of all people, (Luke 2:32 NIV) a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." Joseph and Mary marveled at the words that had been spoken about Jesus. (Luke 2:34 NIV) 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, (Luke 2:35 NIV) so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."
The words that Simeon spoke to Mary after he blessed Joseph and Mary were harder to understand. Jesus caused the falling and rising of many in Israel. It is no different today. Jesus is still causing the falling or rising of all that live on this earth. With Jesus there is no middle or neutral ground. Everyone on this earth either rejects him or receives him. If we reject him we will fall and be eternally separated from God. However, there is good news. If we receive him we will rise. Even though we die we will rise from the dead just as Jesus did. As soon as we receive Jesus we become children of God. (John 1:12 NIV) Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:13 NIV) children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
Simeon was a very devout believer that was led by the spirit of God when Israel was in deplorable spiritual condition. God kept the promise that he had given to Simeon about seeing the savior of the world before he died. Also, Simeon had the privilege to pray and prophesy when Jesus was presented to the Lord. God has special plans for every believer. We should believe God for the plans he has for us.