Simeon the Forgotten Man of Christmas - Luke 2:25-35

Introduction

At Christmas most of the attention surrounds the Nativity, shepherds, the wise men and Herod. However, the Christmas story is incomplete with the absence of two unique characters. Simeon and Anna. These two are very important characters of the Christmas story and they serve as great examples to all Christians concerning faithfulness and service to Christ our King! So, with that being said let us take a look at this Forgotten Man of Christmas.

Luke tells us through the testimony of Simeon what it means to live godly lives. Simeon is an Old Testament character and so he lived under the law. Simeon was a devout Hebrew and he was apart of the faithful remnant who had been true to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Simeon was a Spirit-Led Man - (vv.25-27).

a. The relationship of the Holy Spirit to Simeon - (v.25) The Bible tells us the Holy Spirit was upon him. It is important we understand that in the Old Testament the Holy Spirit was active and working in the lives of believers, however, in the Old Testament the Spirit is said to work on the person or come upon a person at different times in order to accomplish the plan of God. Simeon had the Holy Spirit “upon” him.

John 14:16 “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;” John 14:17 “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

b. The revelation of the Holy Spirit to Simeon - (v.26) Again from the Scriptures we understand that in Old Testament times the Holy Spirit spoke directly to His chosen people. This is “inspiration” of God through verbal communication.

2 Peter 1:21 “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

If we want to be Spirit led we must be well read in what the Holy Spirit has said in the Holy Scriptures.

c. The response of Simeon to the Spirit - (v.27) Simeon responded with happy obedience to the will of the Holy Spirit. This is the true Spirit of Christmas!

Galatians 5:16 “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,” Galatians 5:23 “Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

2. Simeon was a Salvation-Lightened Man - (vv.28-30). If one fails to comprehend that Christ came into the world to save sinners, then one misses the whole Biblical meaning of Christmas. Christ was born to die. He took upon Himself a body of flesh and blood that He might become our atonement for sin once for all.

Hebrews 9:12 “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”

Hebrews 10:10 “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

a. Simeon was overjoyed with his privilege - (v.28) When Simeon raised Christ in his hands this was an act of faith. Simeon was exalting the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!

b. Simeon was directing with his praise - (vv.29-30) Simeon was directing all to the One who could save. Simeon understood the Lord’s salvation.

Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

1 John 1:1 “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;” 1 John 1:2 “(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)”

Christmas is just a reminder that the Christ who came to earth the first time as a Babe will be coming back soon as a Bridegroom. Jesus will come in the air for His church, His bride! He came the first time as a Lamb. He will come back the second time as a Lion!

3. Simeon was a Scripture-Learned Man - (vv.31-35). Simeon was a student of the Scriptures and he believed every word.

a. Simeon’s Knowledge of the Christ - (v.34) This statement reveals that Simeon was well-read in the prophets and all the prophecies concerning the birth, death, burial and resurrection of the promised Messiah. Simeon was very aware of what the prophets had to say concerning the Messiah, but he was also aware what God had promised to Israel and to the Gentiles through Jesus Christ.

(1.) God would extend grace to the Gentiles

(2.) God would bring glory to Israel

Luke 2:32 “A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”

Isaiah 9:2 “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: They that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”

Isaiah 42:6 “I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, And will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, And give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;”

Isaiah 49:6 “And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, That thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.”

Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, And the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” Isaiah 60:2 “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And gross darkness the people: But the Lord shall arise upon thee, And his glory shall be seen upon thee.” Isaiah 60:3 “And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, And kings to the brightness of thy rising.”

Conclusion

That is the message of Christmas - Peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord and the Peace of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Simeon had that peace. Do you have that peace? You can have that peace if you will only come to Jesus. Open your heart to the Wonderful Prince of Peace the Lord Jesus Christ and trust Him now as your Saviour.