Characters at the Cradle: Simeon, The Appointed Child

by David Chadwick

Luke 2:33-35 wraps up this week’s character at the cradle named Simeon, a righteous and devout man who knew of the Christ child’s arrival through the Holy Spirit’s revelation.

He just prophesied over Jesus and knew that God had just fulfilled a promise he had made to him to let him see the salvation of the Lord through the Messiah before he passed away.

Mary and Joseph marveled at all that Simeon had prophesied over their child.

They obviously knew all of this to be true from the angelic visitation from Gabriel giving them insight about Jesus. But can you imagine how it felt to hear another person confirm all of God’s promises over their son? This baby boy named Jesus. The Savior of the world. Called by God. Miraculously conceived.

Simeon blessed both Jesus and his parents with his word of prophecy and encouragement. Mary and Joseph needed courage as they parented this special child.

Simeon then spoke a special, specific word to Mary about the appointed child God had given her. “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 2:35). It’s as if the Lord used Simeon to take Mary aside and speak words directly to her soul to help her endure the calling she had ahead of her.

This child would divide Israel; some would believe in Christ, and others would not. Simeon knew this. “A sign that is opposed” alluded to that great opposition that would come upon Jesus. “The sword” referred to the future crucifixion of Jesus. The accuracy of Simeon’s word would prove to be true over the course of Jesus’s life.

As Mary saw the opposition arise over her son, I can imagine Simeon’s words came back to her remembrance. Paul says that prophecy is meant to be used as a weapon for believers. They are words we should use to fight in the midst of opposition and spiritual warfare. I am sure Mary did this. As Jesus began to be scrutinized and questioned. As the anger of Rome and religious leaders intensified. As she stood at the base of the cross and watched her son die.

Even in Mary’s sorrow, she had faith. She believed that God had sent her his son to carry in her womb, to raise up, and to love deeply. Simeon’s words gave her courage to live this out. Mary, too, was an essential part of God’s redemptive history. You and I have a role to play as well. You are not just saved for eternity. You are saved to build the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

Characters at the Cradle: Simeon, A Light for Revelation

by David Chadwick

We are following the story of Simeon. Mary and Joseph were in the temple with Jesus, awaiting his purification according to the Law of Moses. Simeon had just realized that Jesus was the Messiah, the fulfillment of all of the prophecies. Let’s keep reading to see what happens with this character at the cradle whose life intersects with the Son of God.

As we learned yesterday, Simeon’s life was led by the Holy Spirit. On the very day that Jesus and his family were going in for Jesus’s purification, Simeon, who had been waiting for years for “the consolation of Israel” to be born, was led to the temple by the Holy Spirit at the exact moment when Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus would be there.

This alone should be enough to stir all of our faith to believe that God is always working from every angle, with every person, to accomplish his plans on the earth.

Nothing. And I mean nothing is outside of God’s sovereign control and timing! God knew when Jesus would be in the temple. Therefore, the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit, guided Simeon, this devout and righteous man, to the temple at that exact moment. In doing so, the Father answered all of Simeon’s prayers for years as Simeon came face to face with his Messiah.

According to Luke 2:28-32, Simeon took baby Jesus in his arms, blessed God, and then began to prophesy over the child, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

Can you imagine what Simeon must have been feeling at this moment? He was fully aware that everything happening was divinely authored by God himself. One can presume that he was fully present and fully aware of the miraculous majesty of the moment.

If I can, let me encourage you for a moment in this new year. Stay alert. Don’t become numb to all that God is doing in your life and in the lives of those around you. So often, in a broken world, people become hardened to the ordained wonders of the Lord, to the little whispers of grace, and to his glimpses of glory.

Like Simeon, keep your eyes open to the promises fulfilled all around you. Simeon knew he could die in peace after seeing Jesus; the greatest desire of his heart had been met. He knew he was holding in his arms the only one who could save all people, Jews and Gentiles alike. This baby would become a light to Gentiles on how to live and how to go to heaven, and Israel would be glorified through his life. Through the life of Jesus, Israel’s purpose in salvation history was unfolding.

Characters at the Cradle: Simeon, A Promise Fulfilled

by David Chadwick

The birth of Jesus changed the course of history forever. God, in flesh, came to mankind in the greatest rescue mission the world has ever seen.

Mary and Joseph traveled to Jerusalem for Jesus’s purification ceremony, a cultural practice in the Jewish faith where the parents presented their child to the Lord. They brought a humble sacrifice of two turtledoves and two young pigeons. It was all they could afford, but God always honors whatever sacrifice someone is able to bring.

Today, let’s look at Luke 2:25-27, where a man in Jerusalem named Simeon comes on the scene. Verse 25 says, “This man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.”

While there is not a great deal revealed to us in this verse about Simeon, what is revealed is important. Simeon was a man of integrity who was dedicated to the Lord. As a strong man of faith, he was contending for what God had promised to Israel, and he was awaiting the day that God would come and rescue and comfort his chosen people.

Aware of and alert to all of God’s unfolding plans, Simeon must have been a student of Scripture, and he must have been aware of all of the times where God promised to come rescue and comfort his people (Isaiah 40:1, Isaiah 49:13, Isaiah 51:3).

But there is one more unique description for Simeon in this verse that should capture all of our attention: “The Holy Spirit was upon him.”

Luke 2:26 goes on to explain that the Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon that he would not see death before he had seen “the Lord’s Christ,” God’s Son, the Messiah. God had made a promise to him, and God always makes good on his promises.

Simeon then came “in the Spirit” to the temple where Mary and Joseph would bring Jesus as was the custom of the Law (Luke 2:27). Simeon was led by, engulfed by, and overcome by the Holy Spirit, who guided his entire life. We should learn from his example. The Holy Spirit should guide every part of our lives!

When Simeon saw Jesus with his parents, he knew. He just knew, undoubtedly by the Spirit, that this child was the Messiah. The chosen one of God. The one for whom he had waited so long. At that moment, all of Simeon’s patience, prayer, and waiting was finally rewarded.

May all of us learn how to be patient as we wait in faith for God to fulfill all he has promised!