5 Lessons from the Life of Simeon

Simeon was a righteous and devout man living in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die before seeing the Messiah. When Mary and Joseph brought brought the infant Jesus to the temple for presentation, Simeon took the baby in his arms and praised God. In this moment, Simeon recognized Jesus as the fulfilment of God's promise and expressed joy at having seen the saviour.

The encounter with Simeon is part of the biblical narrative emphasizing the recognition of Jesus as the long awaited Messiah and the fulfilment of God's covenant with his people. 

Here are 5 basic lessons from the life of Simeon:

1. Simeon lived in dependence on God's spirit.

In Luke 2:26-27, it had been revealed to Simeon by the holy spirit that he would not die before he had seen the lord's Christ. Simeon's life was dedicated to waiting for the Messiah. He was filled with the holy spirit when he met Jesus and he prophesied over him.  The holy spirit was upon him and this spirit is not an impersonal force but the third person in the Trinity. He was God himself. He was active in Simeon's life. His praise of God was a result of the holy spirit's leading. Simeon was attuned to the guidance of the holy spirit allowing him to recognize the moment when he encountered Jesus. Simeon submitted to the holy spirit and allowed the spirit of God to work in his life. 

Simeon's dependence on God's spirit is an example for believers. It shows that when we are filled with the holy spirit , we can be guided into God's will and be used by him in powerful ways. 

Dedicate your life to the holy spirit today and give him the permission to interrupt and change your plans. 

2. Simeon recognized God's Timing

One of the most remarkable things about Simeon's story is his recognition of God's timing .

Simeon's encounter with Jesus occured at the appointed moment and he knew that he could now die in peace because he had seen the Messiah.

3. Simeon Waited in Faith

When we wait in faith, we can expect deliverance. Simeon waited for the consolation of Israel and he longed for their deliverance. This required hope and his hope was not misplaced in a man, circumstance, or a particular event, rather, it was placed in God from whom the consolation would come. 

He waited for so long and watched with great hope and his answer may have come differently than he had expected, for it came in form of a baby, Jesus Christ .

4. Simeon made a prophetic Utterance

Simeon's prophetic words emphasizes the power of speaking and declaring God's truth. It encourages is to be open to the promptings of the spirit for sharing God's message to other.

Simeon's prophetic utterance recorded in Luke 2:29-32, was a beautiful and powerful statement about the significance of Jesus' life. He said, " Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace 

5. Simeon devoted his life to God

Simeon's righteous and devout life reflects the dedication a christian should have towards his/her spiritual journey. It encourages a commitment to a life that is aligned to God's will. His devotion is evident in the way he lived his life. He spent many years waiting for the fulfilment of God's promise . During this time, he continued to serve God faithfully and trust his plan. When he met Jesus in the temple , he was able to recognize him as the Messiah because he had devoted his life to knowing and serving God . Even though we don't know many details about Simeon's life, we can see that he was a great man of faith and obedience. 

Simeon's unwavering faith and recognition of the Messiah showcases the power of a life lived in anticipation of God's promises.

How is Simeon's life story applicable to believers?

Simeon's story encourages us as believers to cultivate a deep connection with God, patiently await his guidance, and remain spiritually connected to recognize divine moments in our journey of faith. His story is applicable to us as christians in many ways, one of which is to trust God even when we don't understand his timing. Simeon had to wait for many years for the fulfilment of God's promise. In our lives, we might not understand why things are happening the way they are , but we can trust that God is at work behind the scenes.

For one, Simeon had no way of knowing when or how God would fulfill his promise, but yet kept believing and trusting him. He believed that which had been revealed to him and he acted upon those beliefs.

Simeon's faithful and righteous life serves as a reminder that living a life in accordance to the principles of God is crucial for believers. In a word filled with ups and downs, Simeon's commitment to righteousness stands out. As believers, we should prioritize our relationship with God . 

Also, Simeon's story prompts us to live a life of expectancy. Just as he waited eagerly for the Messiah , we are called to live in hopeful anticipation of God's promises . This expectancy fuels our faith and keeps our hearts connected to God. 

Simeon's life encourages patience, faith, spiritual awareness, and a devoted relationship with God. His life is a timeless source of inspiration and guidance for believers. 

The significance of praise and worship underscores the importance of gratitude and recognizing God's hand in every aspect of life.

Simeon's eagerness to share the good news exemplifies the call for believers to be ambassadors of God's love and redemption. 

The story of Simeon reminds us that God gave a promise of salvation to all people and he fulfilled that promise. 

Also, Simeon's prophecy about Jesus was fulfilled in his ministry here on earth. He said," This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed*. ( Luke 2:34-35). The Sign Simeon spoke of in his prophecy has a specific meaning in the scriptures. Jesus was a sign that pointed to the truth of God's kingdom and his love for humanity. Through his life , death and resurrection, Jesus revealed the fullness of God's redemptive plan. Simeon's prophecy indeed happened as there as Jesus caused the rising and falling of many in Israel. Some believed in him and others rejected him. His life and teachings exposed the hearts of those who listened to him. Jesus is the salvation that God promised to bring. And because of Jesus, we can have eternal life.  

His prophecy was a glimpse into the significance of Jesus' life and ministry.

Conclusion

Life, as God intended it to be for every believer, is pictured to be simple and humble. This is what God wants in us - to live a filled life, and find a spirit- illumined life.  This is the kind of life Simeon lived. Simeon's life is a powerful example of what it means to trust God's timing, have hope, and be obedient to His leading even when it is difficult. When we live by these principles, we can experience the peace and joy that Simeon felt when he held infant Jesus in his arms. These lessons are timeless and will guide us through any season of life.