I Want to Become a Person Like Simeon
“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. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.’” (Luke 2:25–32)
As I meditate on this passage, I wish to receive the lessons the Lord gives through it.
(1) When I meditate on this passage, I notice that the term “the Holy Spirit” appears three times: “the Holy Spirit was upon him” (v.25), “it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit” (v.26), “moved by the Spirit” (v.27). This repetition draws my attention to the fact that Simeon was a man of the Holy Spirit. In other words, Simeon was a man full of the Holy Spirit.
(a) This Spirit-filled Simeon is described in the Bible as “righteous and devout” (v.25). The Greek word for “righteous,” dikaios (δίκαιος), means “just” or “upright,” and refers to a person who faithfully fulfills his duties to God and to the theocratic community. Thus, what comes first and foremost for a “righteous” person is their relationship with God (Hoekma). The Greek word for “devout,” eulabēs (εὐλαβής), besides meaning “pious” or “devout,” also conveys “careful,” “reverent,” or “cautious.” It was commonly used to describe pious Jews who were careful and meticulous in observing the Law’s requirements. Therefore, we can see how deeply Simeon revered and kept the Law (Hoekma).
When I think of this righteous and devout Simeon, I am reminded that true, devout Christians also prioritize their relationship with God above all else, revering and keeping His Word in intimate fellowship with Him.
(b) This Spirit-filled Simeon not only lived in the continual presence of the Holy Spirit—“the Holy Spirit was upon him” (v.25)—but also received divine revelation and guidance from Him-“it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit” (v.26)—and acted “in the Spirit” (Greek expression) when he went into the temple, “moved by the Spirit” (v.27). Simeon’s entering the temple “moved by the Spirit” (v.27) means that he was continually under the Spirit’s direction and guidance (Hoekma). As a result, “at that very moment,” Joseph and Mary brought in the baby Jesus to fulfill the requirements of the Law (v.27). Thus, Simeon, who had been “waiting for the consolation of Israel” (v.25), finally met “the Christ,” who was to be that consolation (Hoekma). The “consolation of Israel” (v.25) refers to the comfort and restoration Israel would receive through the coming of the Messiah (Isaiah 40–55). After about 400 years without any inspired prophet since Malachi, Simeon lived in that long period of silence, yet he still firmly believed in the coming of the Messiah and waited patiently in faith (Hoekma).
This is a good example for us today of what it means to live waiting for the Second Coming of Christ. We must not be swept away by the tides of corruption and unbelief around us. Rather, like Simeon, we should live full of the Holy Spirit, under His continual presence and guidance, walking “in the Spirit,” eagerly awaiting Christ’s return in faith and hope. Let us all listen attentively to the voice of the Holy Spirit and dedicate ourselves to living humbly in faith and obedience to the Word He speaks to us!
(2) Simeon, the righteous and devout man in Jerusalem, who received revelation from the indwelling Spirit that he would see the Christ before he died and who eagerly awaited “the consolation of Israel,” entered the temple led by the Spirit. At that very moment, the parents brought in the baby Jesus to perform the purification rites (v.27). Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms and praised God (v.28).
(a) He began his praise with the words, “Sovereign Lord” (v.29). The Greek term despota (δέσποτα) appears ten times in the New Testament—five referring to God and five referring to human masters or heads of households. In every case, it emphasizes unquestioned, absolute authority—divine or human. In Luke 2:29, the title “Sovereign Lord” highlights God’s freedom to fulfill His covenant promises (Internet). We can understand this more clearly by comparing it to Acts 4:24, where believers pray, “Sovereign Lord (despota),” quoting Psalm 2 about nations raging against the Lord and His Anointed. In Acts 4:27–28, this covenant promise is fulfilled: “Indeed, Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.” Thus, when Simeon began his praise saying “Sovereign Lord” (v.29), it was because the Lord had fulfilled His promise to him: “He would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” (v.26). Now that this promise was realized—he saw the baby Jesus—Simeon began to praise the Sovereign Lord who had kept His word (v.28).
When I meditate on this, I realize that I usually address God in prayer and praise as “Lord” (Kyrios, Κύριος), but from now on I also wish, like Spirit-filled Simeon, to address Him in faith as “Sovereign Lord” (Despota, “the Lord of absolute authority”). I do so because I believe the Sovereign Lord has already fulfilled in heaven—and is now fulfilling on earth (Matthew 6:10)—the promises of grace He has given me personally (John 6:1–15), to my family (Psalm 63:3; 1 Peter 5:10), and to the church (Matthew 16:18).
Our Jesus is the Lord who gives promises. He is both the Giver of the Promise and the Given One of the Promise. As Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not a man that he should lie, nor a son of man that he should change his mind.” And Isaiah 55:11 declares, “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
(b) Simeon continued his praise: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace” (v.29). The meaning is: “Now that I have seen the Messiah I have long awaited, I am ready to die in peace.” God’s promise—that he would not die before seeing the Christ—had been fulfilled (v.26). Therefore, Simeon expressed his deep peace and gratitude, feeling that his mission was complete and that he could now rest in the Lord (Internet). “In conclusion, this verse expresses Simeon’s overwhelming gratitude and peace as he realizes that the Messiah he had long awaited has finally come through the baby Jesus, and that his life’s purpose has been fulfilled” (Internet). I too want to offer such a hymn of profound gratitude and peace to God—either before or after my own death—after confirming that the Sovereign Lord has fulfilled His gracious promises to me, my family, and the church, and after sensing that I have completed the mission entrusted to me.
(c) Simeon also praised, “For my eyes have seen your salvation” (v.30), meaning, “My eyes have now seen the salvation you promised.”
In Luke’s Gospel, seeing Jesus is the same as seeing salvation embodied. Thus, Simeon foresaw in Jesus the realization of God’s redemptive work for humankind (Hoekma). This salvation, as v.31–32 reveal, is “for all people”—not only “for your people Israel,” but also “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.” Simeon’s prophetic praise foresaw that the gospel of Christ would extend beyond Israel to all nations (Hoekma).
The baby Jesus is God’s plan for the salvation of all humanity—a light to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel. This praise declares that God’s salvation is not confined to one nation but offered to all peoples, emphasizing that Jesus is the Savior of the world (Internet). Thus, Simeon recognized in the infant Jesus the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan—that He is the light of salvation to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel.
Simeon closed the Old Testament era, which had long prophesied but never seen the Messiah, and opened the door to the New Testament era by welcoming Him. If Simeon could meet the infant Christ and be so filled with joy and peace that he was ready to die, how much more joy and assurance should we, who live in the gospel age where redemption has already been accomplished in Christ, express! (Hoekma)
In recent weeks, the hymn we have sung during worship comes to mind: “Till the End of the World” (Korean Hymnal No. 447)
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I’ll serve the Lord till the end of the world;
My friend and Lord, be ever near to me.
If You are with me, I fear no battle,
For when You guide me, I am at peace. -
When I follow You, Lord, fulfill Your promise;
Let me share in all the glory You have prepared.
I’ll follow and serve You all my life;
Guide me always by Your great grace. -
Though trials of this world shake my heart,
And evil foes surround me, within and without,
Protect me, Lord, my shield and defender,
Let me always know You are near. -
You’ve promised the land of shining glory;
That blessed place I long to see.
Till the end, without rest, I’ll follow You;
Guide me always by Your boundless love.
Amen.