Simeon's Encounter with Jesus

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When Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord on the eighth day of his birth, an extra ordinary event happened at the temple premise where God rewarded a man for his unflinching faith in a revelation that he received some time ago. Through the season of Christmas much has been spoken about the revelation that Mary received from Gabriel about the birth of Jesus, or Zechariah the priest received from the angel about the birth of his son John the Baptist.  Little has been spoken about a revelation that an unknown person named Simeon received through Holy Spirit about him seeing Jesus during his life. 


Simeon appears briefly over the second chapter of Luke. Bible says that he was devout and full of Holy Spirit. He was constantly expecting the Messiah to come and he expected the Messiah to come soon (Luke 2:25) unlike many of his generations. 

Jews through their long history had suffered many a foreign invasions. At the time of Jesus' birth, Romans held a firm grip of Israel. Jews hoped for a future savior to come and liberate them since the days of prophecies. But centuries had passed since and they were running out of patience for a savior. But Simeon expected the Messiah to come at a time when unbelief was the order of the day. Yet he believed in the revelation that he received during the times when every bit of circumstances went contrary to the revelation. He was an aged man (suggestive from his statement that he is ready to depart Luke 2:29) and there was no news of a savior from anywhere. Eight days are over since the birth of Jesus and it does not look like he heard about the birth of Jesus through any source. 

Then the most impossible thing happened. Holy Spirit impelled him to go to the Temple the day when Jesus parents walked into the temple. Simeon, went up to them, took Jesus up in his arms praising God (Luke 2:28). His faith in the impossible was duly rewarded. 

After blessing Jesus, he says, now I can die content! For I have seen him as you promised me I would. I have seen the Savior you have given to the world (Luke 2:29-30). 

Simeon saw the Savior of the World, before the world would recognize him. He kept the faith, remained patient. Through faith and patience he inherited Gods promise. 

Faith defines our level of preparedness to receive Gods promises. It defines our level of readiness to receive our miracles. Simeon lived in constant expectation of seeing Jesus during his life in the most unfavorable times and it was fulfilled in the most unexpected way.

What do we learn from the life of Simeon? We must stay on faith at all times. We must remain ready irrespective of circumstances. We must live in constant expectation even if evidences go contrary because God always surprises a believer who is READY to RECIEVE.  


Prakash T John

#Simeon, #Biblicalarticles, #jesusbirth, #Christmas


 

 


Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India

Comments

  1. Shiv19 January 2025 at 20:16

    Wonderfully captured brother. There is a call to move onwards from just belief to trust (reliance on His Promise and His Word). The Scriptures are full of such examples. Please cover His Messages to Nehemiah and Gideon in your subsequent blogs

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