Simeon may have been totally misunderstood

Luke 2:25-35

One of the many curses of selecting Sales’ as a profession was the desire to please my boss, to perform at a level that would build trust and respect within the company for the job I was given.  I’ve often stated that two things motivate a salesperson, money and acknowledgement in the form of praise, and in my case money was not first on the list.  So when I see Luke who is putting words on paper that the Holy Spirit has breathed into his heart about this man Simeon, this is what he writes; “Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon and this man was righteous and devout, waiting 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 Christ.”

How many of you are like this salesman; you are willing to go and do whatever is required to earn the recognition of men, but often have a small view of heaven in our thinking?  Simeon may have been totally misunderstood by the priest and leaders, the ones this salesman often looked to for approval, and in fact it is possible that even his family and friends thought of him as a little odd, but you and I and millions before and after us will understand God called him righteous; Simeon was in right-standing with God.  I was devout about the responsibility assigned to me by a man, I took them as serious projects and would ask God to give me the tools needed to complete each project, but Simeon’s earnestness to listen and do all that the Holy Spirit told him to do is what is needed, is it not?

Scripture does not tell us how many years Simeon had been hanging out at the temple, it does not tell us how many baby dedications Simeon has shown up for but it does tells us the following: “And he came in 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, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “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.”  (Luke 2:27-32 ESV)

But the Holy Spirit was not through with Simeon, these are the words God put into his heart concerning Mary; “And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “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 2:33-35 ESV)  We often forget Joseph and Mary were new parents but they were also a lot like you and me, humans with all kinds of needs and concerns, and they were blown away at what was being said about Jesus.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice