The Testimony of Simeon - The Credible Witness

New King James Version:
Luke 2:25-35 NKJV And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. (26) 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. (27) So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, (28) he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: (29) "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; (30) For my eyes have seen Your salvation (31) Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, (32) A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel." (33) And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. (34) Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (35) "(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

Ang Bag-ong Testamento (Gihubad sa pinulongang Cebuano gikan sa Griego, by Dr. Gadiel T. Isidro):
Lukas 2:25-35  Karon may usa ka tawo didto sa Jerusalem ang iyang ngalan Simeon, kini siya matarung ug diosnon, nga naghulat sa paglipay sa Israel ug an Balaang Espiritu  nagsangkap kaniya  (26) Ug gipadayag kaniya sa Balaang Espiritu nga dili siya mamatay kong dili pa niya makita ang Kristo sa Ginoo.  (27) Ug miadto siya sa templo pinaagi sa Espiritu ug didto usab gidala sa iyang mga ginikanan ang Batang Jesus aron ilang buhaton sumala sa sulondon sa balaod mahitungod kaniya.  (28) Ug iyang gidawat siya ngadto sa iyang mga bukton ug nagdayeg sa Dios nga naga-ingon: (29) Karon buhi-i na O Ginoo ang imong ulipon nga may kalinaw sumala sa imong pulong. (30) Tungod kay ang akong mga mata nakakita na sa imong kaluwasan, (31) Nga imong giandam sa atubangan sa dagway sa tanang mga tawo, (32) Ang kahayag ngadto sa pagpadayag sa mga nasud, ug ang himaya sa mga tawo sa Israel. (33) Ug ang iyang amahan ug inahan natingala sa mga gisulti mahitungod kaniya. (34)  Ug si Simeon nanalangin kanila ug miingon kang Maria nga iyang inahan: Kini nga bata gipabarug aron sa pagpukan ug sa pagbangon sa daghan sa Israel ug usa ka ilhanan nga pagasupakon, (35) Ug mahitungod kanimo, ang usa ka pinuti molagbas sa imong kalag, aron ang mga pagpamalandong sa mga kasingkasing ikapadayag.

Introduction

We are now in the second week of studying the infancy narrative of Jesus as written by Luke. As we mentioned last Sunday, Luke gathers accounts of witnesses that testify and affirm that Jesus is the Messiah the Jews had been waiting for so long, that Jesus is the Savior not only for the Jews but for all people.

This morning we will meet a credible witness, testifying while Jesus was still an infant, that Jesus is the Lord’s Christ, or in his words, Jesus is God’s salvation. Today we will meet a man, Lord willing next Sunday we will meet a woman, another witness in this series while Jesus was presented at the temple. Both of them were waiting for the coming of the Messiah in their time.

I.       Simeon, the credible witness – v. 25

Let’s get to know Simeon. What we have here in our text is the only information about him. After this event, he was no longer mentioned by Luke or by any gospel writer in the New Testament.

A. He was from Jerusalem

While not much is said about him except only in this passage, he was a real person. He was not just a name but someone from Jerusalem. Most probably he was already old at this time. As we read the passage, he said he is ready to die, Luke 2:29 KJV  Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. Let or permit is in the indicative mood, and signifies that God was permitting him to die in peace.[i] It is because God has fulfilled His promise to Simeon. The promise or revelation stated in verse 26 that Simeon will see Christ before he dies. It is rare for God to do that, to tell you something that will happen before you die. But He did that for a purpose. Now Simeon is telling us, testifying to us, while holding the child Jesus, God this is Your Christ, Your Messiah. That means Jesus is God’s anointed redeemer, savior.

By this we can say that Simeon was someone who believed in God for his salvation. He was one of those few Jews who waited for the Messiah not just for the abundant blessing and prosperity God had promised but also for their redemption, forgiveness of sins and salvation. He lived expectantly waiting for the Messiah, living a godly life.

B. He was just or righteous

This speaks of his spirituality. Righteous before God and man; approved by God as a righteous man, and discharging faithfully his duty to man.[ii]  We must remember, or know for that matter, that it is impossible for man through his own effort achieve God’s standard of righteousness. When the Bible says somebody is righteous, it means that God has declared them righteous and God only declares sinners righteous when they trust in God for their forgiveness, not in their own works.[iii] Genesis 15:6 KJV  And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. The principle of salvation since the Old Testament times or the way to receive God’s righteousness is by believing in Him. This is even prior to the laws given to Moses. Abraham was declared righteous by God because he exercises his will to believe in God. This verse was also quoted by Paul in Galatians 3:6 to support his argument that righteousness or salvation is by faith. So from this description of Simeon we can say that he was a true believer, right with God. He believed in God for his salvation.  So he had been justified.

C. He was devout

The word "devout" simply talks about the fact that this is a man who was concerned for the things of God. Barnes says this word means “a religious man,” or a “pious” man. In fact, the classic translation of this, very often this word "devout" is, "cautious."  He had been justified by God through his faith and he was cautious, which is to say he was careful as to how he treated God and responded to God's Word.  He didn't live an irresponsible life.  He lived a very careful, cautious life, careful to obey God, careful to honor God, so as to bring glory to God and to be an example to others.  This defines his character.[iv]

D. He was looking for the consolation of Israel

While he was righteous and devout, he was also waiting for the coming of Messiah. He had a hope that the Messiah will come. He was expecting the King who would bring the promised kingdom that was promised to David, the blessings, the prosperity that would come when the fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant will take place. Again MacArthur said, he wasn't looking just for personal salvation, he was looking for the national deliverance, he was looking for the promised kingdom, when the nation would be delivered from oppressors and enemies and most particularly delivered from sin and iniquity.[v]

Simeon believed the actual consolation of the nation of Israel would come. And by consolation he means the comfort of Israel, the help of Israel, deliverance from enemies and oppressors, and most of all deliverance from sin. The word "consolation" refers to Messiah.  The only one who could bring the consolation is the consoler. The only one who could bring the help, or the comfort, is the comforter and the helper.  And it is the Messiah. Isaiah 40:1 KJV  Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Verse 10 the Lord God would come.

E. The Holy Spirit was upon him

Simeon is an outstanding man.  He's exemplary as to his character, righteous and devout.  He also knows the Scriptures, the Old Testament and its prophecies about the Messiah and their nation.  Finally, he is a marvelous example of a special anointing from God for special service.  It says at the end of verse 25, "And the Holy Spirit was upon him." The Holy Spirit was upon him means an anointing for a special responsibility.  Most often it had to do with speaking for God.

In Luke 1:41 Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she spoke truths about Mary, her husband Zechariah in verse 67 was filled with the Holy Spirit and he praised God and prophesied. So we see a consistent pattern with Luke indicating to us that the Holy Spirit's coming on someone is indicative of a special anointing to speak for God. And here it happened in the case of Simeon. "The Holy Spirit was upon him." 

Simeon was used by God through the empowering or anointing of the Holy Spirit to speak the truth about the child Jesus in his time, during this specific meeting at the temple. And his testimony continues to teach generations of people up until now, witnessing that Jesus is the Lord’s Christ. Simeon testifies that God’s salvation is through the Lord Jesus Christ.

So we know something about his character.  We know something about his beliefs and hopes and something about his unique anointing.  This is one special man. And his testimony about Jesus should not be ignored or taken lightly by anyone. (The New Testament was not yet written during his time, the events were still unfolding. His testimony is important not just then, but even until now because it is the truth and it remains true.)

Our reason for studying this person is two-fold, why we take our time in knowing this man. One, we need to establish his character or credibility because we are to study what he is about to say or teach us. Luke takes this person as a witness to speak about Christ while Jesus was still a baby. Two, he is also a role-model for us as a witness. After believing and making Christ our Lord and Savior, we are commanded also to witness for Him. We too are witnesses.

II.    The Influence of the Holy Spirit on Simeon – v. 26, 27

The Holy Spirit revealed truths to Simeon and also led him to meet the Savior in the temple at the right time.

A. Revealing to him that he will see the Messiah. – v. 26

So this is a man the Spirit of God comes upon.  Now when the Spirit of God came upon him, what did He tell him?  It’s written in verse 26.  Sometime in the past the Holy Spirit revealed to him that he wouldn't see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. The Holy Spirit came upon him for the purpose of revealing to him that he wouldn't die before he had seen the Lord's Christ, the Savior. We know some time has elapsed because of the verbs here and he's just waiting for the coming of Messiah.

Simeon didn’t know the exact date but he knew the Messiah would come in his lifetime. Now Simeon is not an ordinary guy.  He is a righteous man. He is a man with a sound understanding of the Old Testament and understands the prophecies as they were intended to be understood.  And this is a man who has been especially anointed by the Spirit of God. And Luke is pulling in a witness, MacArthur said, that really is the supreme, credible witness.[vi]  What is his view of this child that was born?  That is very important.

B. Leading him to see the Messiah. – v. 27

Verse 27, "And he came in the Spirit." This means the Holy Spirit is leading him.  Forty days after the birth of Jesus he is prompted by the Holy Spirit. He came in the Spirit to go down to the temple, that's what it means. The word temple here does not mean the Holy of Holies but the big area, the courtyard outside. That would be the place he would go because that's the only place that women could go, the Court of the Women, and Mary would be there with Joseph and the little baby, and that's where they would meet.  God by His Spirit providentially prompts his heart and he decides that exactly the right moment he's going down there.

So they were there, as it says in verse 27, when the parents brought in the child, Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the law.  What that simply means is they were there not just for the sacrifice to complete the purification ceremony of Mary, the forty-day sacrifice; they were there also for the paying of the ransom, the redemption price which went to the priests to ransom the child Jesus from priestly service because He was born of the tribe of Judah and not of Levi.  They were there to do that which was required by the law. This is in obedience to Exodus 13:1-2, the consecration or presentation of the first-born.

And Simeon came in the Spirit, led by the Holy Spirit to go there. God providentially worked out for them to meet there.

Conclusion

It seems we cannot finish this today. We will continue this next Sunday and learn what he said about Jesus Christ there at the temple while they met there.

So we learned that Simeon was a righteous man, justified not by his works but by believing in God for his salvation. He was also devout. As a believer of the true God he lived a careful life, dedicated to God. He lived a holy and godly life that was pleasing to God. He was also led by the Holy Spirit. He was aware and was sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. He is a role model for us as a witness. He waited for the Messiah to come. He knew the Lord’s Christ will come in his lifetime because it was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit. And while he was waiting, he lived a careful life pleasing to God.

Can we say the same with our lives? We are also waiting for Jesus, but this time it is for His second coming. Let us emulate Simeon and live a life worthy of God’s calling. With God’s help through His Spirit, let our lives show to the world the transforming grace and mercy of God by living a forgiven and redeemed life, witnessing to the world even before our mouths speak.

If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ yet, if you haven’t made Him your Lord and Savior, then this is the moment for you to make your decision. You cannot be neutral on this as we will learn next Sunday. You can be either for Him or against Him. Your choice, your decision. That whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but will have eternal life[vii]. Amen.

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[i] Albert Barnes

[ii] Ibid.

[iii] John MacArthur.

[iv] Ibid.

[v] Ibid.

[vi] Ibid.

[vii] John 3:15