A Man Named Simeon - Luke 2:25

Luke the physician wrote concerning Joseph and Mary brought Jesus, “to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord. (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-five of his book Luke shared about, “a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon” where we read:

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

The verse reads, “And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon;” Luke began with the words, “and, behold” or “and look, lo and consider”, “there was a man in Jerusalem” which means “within the city of Jerusalem which means set you at double peace was a male human being” “whose name was Simeon” or “who was called or surnamed Simeon which means hearkening”. Luke referred to a particular “man” named “Simeon” who was in “Jerusalem”.

The verse goes on to say, “and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.” Luke continued with the words, “and the same man” which means “and that selfsame male human being” “was just and devout” or “was righteous, observed divine laws, was upright, righteous, virtuous and kept the commands of God and also reverent, pious and religious” “waiting for the consolation” which means “accepting, receiving and expecting the importation, entreaty, encouragement, comfort and refreshment” “of Israel” or “belonging to Israel which means he shall be a prince of God and refers to the family, descendants and nation of Jacob”. Luke shared how “Simeon” was a “righteous” man who observed the commandments of God and was “expecting” the nation of “Israel's” “encouragement, comfort and refreshment”.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we discover another character in the story of the birth of the Messiah. “Simeon” was a “righteous and pious” man who was looking for God's “encouragement” though His Messiah. “Simeon” knew God would send His “Christ”, and when He came, “Israel” would not only have their “Savior” but also be “relieved” from the oppression they endured for years. Those who “look for” Jesus like “Simeon” shall “find” Him and be forgiven of their sins and receive “everlasting life” from God.

Next time Luke shares how Simeon, “should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".