A Musical Interlude Part VI

     As we embark on a new year, I will close my series on the carols of the first Christmas with a look at Simeon’s Song. Here is the song and the setting as recorded in Luke 2:25-32:

 "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. 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. 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, 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
Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

     We know what happened in 2021 and we can speculate about what 2022 will hold. While we ponder the future, let me encourage all of us to emulate Simeon as he focused on the One who holds in His hands the future of all humanity. Be it resolved, that in the New Year I will seek to live like Simeon lived. Seeking to be…

• Righteous—Luke describes Simeon as a resident of Jerusalem who was known to be “just and devout.” The context doesn’t give us Simeon’s age, but the tradition of the Eastern Orthodox church is that Simeon was one of the seventy (seventy-two depending on who you read) scholars who translated the Hebrew Bible (our Old Testament) into Greek (the Septuagint—LXX). Although most scholars simply say, we don’t know for sure who this Simeon was, the Eastern Church’s tradition would have made him really, really, really old. But the major point I want to make is that without hesitation Luke describes him as “just and devout.” Those are attributes that would be admired in anyone of any age. In particular, for a person of significant age to be called “just and devout” means that they have a long-standing, established, consistent, and unquestioned lifestyle.

Lord, in this New Year, I pray that You will help each of us to seek to live just and devout lives that will honor You.

• Always Expecting the Best—Luke tells us that Simeon was “waiting for the Consolation of Israel,” and that “it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” Scholars are in agreement that the phrase “the Consolation of Israel” refers to the long-awaited Messiah. That is confirmed as Luke stated that the Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would see “the Lord’s Christ.” Messiah is a Hebrew word that is translated in Greek as Christ—both words mean the Anointed One in English. The encounter with Simeon became another point of affirmation for Mary and Joseph that the child they were called to raise would be very special. Simeon begins his song with a word of thanks to God: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word.”

Lord, I pray that in 2022 we will emulate Simeon as we anticipate and look for the good in every circumstance.

• Spirit-Filled—Luke refers to Simeon’s spirit-filled life three times: “the Holy Spirit was upon him,” the fact that he would see the Messiah was “revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, and that he came to the temple at that hour and on that day because “he came by the Spirit.” No further elaboration is needed on this point!

Lord, help our spirits to be more sensitive and obedient to Your indwelling Spirit in this New Year.

• Patient and Faithful—Luke’s description of Simeon that could indicate to us that he was of significant age is found in verse 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.” The implication is that he had waited several years before the Holy Spirit’s promise was fulfilled. With a touch of pastoral hyperbole, I would describe our culture as a place where “waiting” is rarely an acceptable word and a “long-term commitment” is six months or less. Can you imagine the reaction of family and friends as Simeon told them day-after-day that he was still patiently and faithfully waiting on God to fulfill His promise?

Lord, build in our lives the patience we need to wait on Your timing and the faithfulness we need to keep from becoming weary in well-doing.

• Sensitive to God’s Activity—Luke writes in verses 27-28, “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, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said…” If you’ve ever read Henry Blackaby’s Experiencing God you are familiar with the phrase “God is always at work around you.” That reality means that we need to constantly be on the alert! Simeon was a man who was not only patiently waiting, but he was also fervently watching.

Lord, in this New Year, give us eyes to see more clearly, ears to hear more astutely, and minds that remember You are always at work in our world.

• Gospel-Centered—Stop and reflect on the immediate setting and the historical context of this passage. The temple mount was going through a major remodeling which brought energy and excitement to the city of Jerusalem. That excitement would naturally include a heightened sense of Jewish nationalism. The Law as handed down by Moses and the fulfillment of all the sacrifices and festivals prescribed in Leviticus would have ruled the day. Simeon’s song stands in stark contrast as he emphasizes the global impact of what God was preparing to do. He sings, “My eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles; and the glory of Your people Israel.” Although God’s plan for the nation of Israel from the very beginning was that they would be a blessing to the whole world, they often emphasized only His watch care for them (Genesis 12:1-3 and Exodus 19:5-6).

Lord, as we enjoy Your blessings in 2022, let us not forget our responsibility to be salt and light to a decaying and dark world. Help us to communicate through the actions of our lives and the words of our lips the Gospel message wherever you take us!
     Through the lives of many godly men and women we can learn great life principles. Our ultimate goal should be to be able to say to others what the Apostle Paul said, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ!” (I Corinthians 11:1)
Yours in Christ,
Mark R. Elliott, AMS