Simeon

(Reading Luke 2:1-35)

Reality is obvious to those who live in reality. Reality is being true not just knowing truth.

Illusion sees only its own illusion. It is blind to everything outside that fantasy. All things real are never seen. Reality must precede reality.

Spiritual reality is knowing God so intimately that you see Him in His disguises while others walk on by.

Thousands crowded the city of Bethlehem, milling there for the census. Unnoticed, unannounced, the ordinary Joseph and his unobtrusive wife made their way to the Temple for Jesus’ circumcision. This poor couple could not afford a lamb sacrifice but only the offering of the poor: “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking 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.

And he came in the Spirit into the temple…

Simeon was not the priest. He was not officiating. He was not the priest to perform the circumcision. He was a man whose ear was turned to God, and so he was a man who had heard…

He could hear the Holy Spirit and he was accustomed to following the Holy Spirit. And so he was led of the Spirit to be in the Temple, on that particular day, at that very hour, so God could show His dear Simeon, His dear Messiah!

The baby no one noticed, the Son of God passing through their midst, was known only to one man who was a practiced listener and a constant watcher. “And when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, “Now Lord, You are releasing your bond-servant to depart in peace…”

Mary called herself bondslave.
Simeon called himself bondslave.
The bondslave is chosen for God’s purpose.

“…According to your Word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

Simeon, so keen in knowing God’s heart, not only understood who this child was, he knew the entire meaning of His being:

Salvation,
Light of Revelation to the Gentiles,
Glory to Israel.

Simeon’s knowledge of God’s will included the Gentiles, something of which the disciples were unaware. Such was the profound Spiritual Reality of this simple praying man that he received the very invitation of God to meet the Savior incognito, as a normal infant boy.

Turning to Mary and Joseph, he blessed them, but when he spoke, it was only to Mary.

“And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel and for a sign to be opposed—and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.’”

Simeon’s amazing prophecy of the future! A prediction we now know as fully accurate, profound in its insight and knowledge. But as this man was standing before a simple infant, it was all known only by revelation from a very present God.

From birth to the Cross. From eternity’s purpose down to earth’s reaction, Simeon understood it all, and for that he had lived and waited…

This tiny infant, eight days old, was his life’s fulfillment.

Copyright © 2002 Martha Kilpatrick