The Righteous Man Simeon


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. 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 2:25-32

Simeon was one of those rare people that had an insight about his own death that most will never experience. Simeon held the baby Jesus in his arms, blessed him, and presented him to the world. He had thus fulfilled a significant role in life. We don’t know anything else about Simeon after this incident. Out of all the righteous and devout men in Jerusalem, why Simeon?

I have found that when God works in our lives, we overthink it too much. We begin getting all puffed up and think we’re more special than we actually are. Why me? Why was I chosen? He must have chosen me because of my superior [fill in the blank]. Perhaps I’ll play a much larger role. In reality, God used you for a specific time and place, as He does all of us. He’s moving the chess pieces around the board, and we may be a bishop or we may be a pawn today. He’s not arbitrary or capricious, but He is deliberate.

Rejoice that He continues to use us, and realize He could use anyone to fulfill his end goals. On this Christmas eve, take some time to reflect on the Biblical account of the birth of our Lord.


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