Simeon
Who Was Simeon in the Christmas Story?
Learn about an interesting minor character in the story of
Jesus' birth.
by Sam O’Neal
The birth of Jesus Christ has
been a widespread and beloved story for almost 2,000 years.
As such, most people in
Western societies are at least nominally familiar with the main characters in
the New Testament account -- characters such as Joseph and Mary, the angels,
the shepherds, the wise men, King Herod, and so on.
But those aren't the only
characters in the Christmas story.
There are a number of minor
characters who interacted with the miraculous events of Jesus' birth in
interesting ways.
In
this article, we'll explore a little-know man named Simeon who witnessed Jesus
being presented at the temple in Jerusalem.
A BRIDGE BETWEEN OLD AND NEW
Simeon's
place in the New Testament is relatively small.
His introduction comes in
Luke 2, after the miraculous events typically depicted in nativity scenes:
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called
Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of
Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been
revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the
Lord’s Messiah.
Luke 2:25-26
Luke 2:25-26
We're not given a lot of
specific information about Simeon, but there is plenty to learn between the
lines.
For example, Simeon was
waiting for "the consolation of Israel."
This phrase referred to the
Messiah -- a prophesied Savior the Jews believed would restore the power and
glory of Israel.
In verse 26, we learn that
God had revealed to Simeon that he would not die before he witnessed this
promised savior.
In
addition, we're told that "the Holy Spirit was on"
Simeon. This was a major honor.
Throughout the Old Testament,
a relatively small number of people were blessed with a special interaction
with the Holy Spirit in order to accomplish important tasks in God's plan. (See 1 Samuel 16:13, for example.)
Simeon's connection to the
Holy Spirit at that time meant something big was about to happen.
What these verses teach us is
that Simeon represented the culmination of hundreds of years of faithful Jews
who had endured much suffering while waiting for God to send His promised
Messiah.
Like John the Baptist, Simeon
served as a bridge between God's Old Covenant with the people of Israel and the
New Covenant He wanted to establish through Jesus.
A PROMISE FOR THE WORLD
What
makes Simeon's story so interesting is that he represented the faithful members
of God's chosen people, yet he witnessed a Savior who would reach out beyond
the Jews and embrace all people.
Simeon himself recognized
this shift in God's plan:
27 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, 28 Simeon took him in his
arms and praised God, saying
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”Luke 2:27-32
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”Luke 2:27-32
Simeon pronounced a blessing
over the young Jesus, recognizing Him as the long-awaited Messiah and Savior of
God's people.
Yet
Simeon's words would have surprised the Israelites who heard it, because he
talked of God's plan to include "all nations" in that salvation.
He
even went so far as to say that the Messiah was "a light for revelation to
the Gentiles."
This would have surprised the
Israelites who heard it, but it shouldn't have.
Indeed, it was God's plan all
along for the Jewish nation (God's chosen people) to produce a Messiah who
would bring salvation to all the world. That was the covenant God made with
Abraham – the founding father of the Jewish people:
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your
country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
2 “I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:1-3 (emphasis added)
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:1-3 (emphasis added)
From God's earliest
conversations with Abraham, His plan was to bring forth a Messiah (a Savior)
from His chosen people -- one who would bring salvation to all the peoples of
the earth.
Simeon was exceedingly
blessed to be an eyewitness to the fulfillment of that promise.
The sad news is that the
Jewish people of Simeon's day had a mistaken understanding of who the Messiah
was supposed to be and what the Messiah was supposed to do.
They believed the Messiah
would restore the old glory of the Israelite nation.
They thought he would lead a
revolution against the Roman Empire and restore the Israelites to the time of
David and Solomon -- a time when Israel was most wealthy and powerful.
It was this mistaken
understanding of the Messiah that led many of God's chosen people to reject the
Messiah, Jesus Christ.
This was a reality that
Simeon foresaw, as well, and he concluded his words in the Scriptures by
cautioning Mary (Jesus' mother) about the trials to come:
33 The child’s father and mother marveled at
what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and
said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and
rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so
that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your
own soul too.” Luke 2:33-35
In many ways, the story of
Christmas is the ending of a story God had started with Abraham and the
founding of the Jewish people.
This story involved a promise
to provide salvation for all the people of the earth -- Jews and Gentiles
alike.
In that way, Simeon's part in
the Christmas story is a reminder of God's faithfulness to past promises and an
announcement of a wonderful hope for the future.
Sam
O'Neal is a professional writer and editor with a
life-long passion for and appreciation of the Bible. Sam is coauthor of The
Bible Answer Book and Managing Editor of The Quest
Study Bible (3rd edition).
EXPERIENCE
Currently
a Content Editor with LifeWay Christian Resources, Sam O'Neal has also worked
for Christianity Today and Wheaton College. Sam is an experienced writer who
has authored or coauthored a number of books, including:
- The
Field Guide for Small-Group Leaders
- Bible
Stories You May Have Forgotten
- The
Spiritual World of The Hobbit
EDUCATION
Sam
graduated from Wheaton College in 2002 with a B.A. in English Literature. He is
currently pursuing a Masters of Christian Studies from Union University in
Hendersonville, TN.
SAM O'NEAL
I love
the Bible. It's not only the best-selling and most-influential book in human
history, but the Bible has literally changed my life as I've sought to honor
God and live according to His principles.
I hope
you're excited about the Bible as well. Sure, the Bible is a little
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included. But it's worth it. Please join me as we seek to engage, explore, and
apply the life-changing truths of God's Word.
If you
have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me here.
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