Simeon's Way!

There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel's consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on Him. It had been revealed to Him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple complex. When the parents brought the child Jesus to perform for Him what was customary under the law, Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God and said, " Now master you can dismiss Your slave in peace, as You promised. For my eyes have seen your salvation, You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples- a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to Your people Israel."

His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about Him. Then Simeon blessed them and told His mother Mary: "Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed- a sword will pierce your own soul- that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. Luke 2:25-35

The birth of Jesus was not a quiet affair hidden from all. The Lord made sure that there were witnesses. His choice was unusual: shepherds, foreign 'wise men.' Now, as the parents come to present Jesus in the temple, according to the law, again there are witnesses: two old people who were devout and waiting for the revealing of the Messiah. The scripture above deals with Simeon.

Simeon was kept until he saw the Messiah. God met an old devout man where he was at and gave him his heart's desire. More than that, He used this devout old man to speak to Jesus' parents. The scripture tells us they were amazed. Perhaps they needed to hear a word from the Lord, right there, at that exact time.

For Joseph this was important. He was taking a woman who was pregnant when he married her. He may have needed constant confirmation as he had an enemy, just as we do, who whispers lies and confuses us. It may have prepared him for the dream that the Lord would give him about escaping to Egypt, as Herod was seeking to kill Jesus.

Simeon warned Mary that Jesus was to give a sign to His people, one that would be opposed. Today that sign is still opposed. Many have celebrated Christmas with drinking and eating too much and a funny fat man in a red suit as a substitute for the giver of eternal life. Over the years the fat man has cajoled people into expecting something that would never come, a fleshly magic presented in films and books.

There is a miracle in the birth of Christ that awaits us all, eternal salvation through the Lordship of Christ in our lives. We must lay down our expectations and yield to His lordship. His ways are so much better than ours, filled with the delight of knowing Him, walking with Him, working the works He gives us. Simeon had chosen this path and now was ready to leave this mortal coil, fulfilled.

Today, the day after Christmas, did you find what you were looking for? If not, did you look in the right place for the right thing? Deep in our heart there is a longing for reality and a saviour, all mixed into one. We can have the miracle and the reality in Christ, not Santa. He changes hearts and minds and gives us a hope and a future. Amen!

In the words of Smith Wigglesworth: ' the moment you pray you find that the heavens are opened. If you have to wait for the heavens to be opened something is wrong.' Pray now!