Faith Comes From Hearing

(8) Simeon waits for Jesus (Luke 2:21-35)

Photo by Rachel McDermott on Unsplash

Dear Reader,

May “The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.’” (Numbers 6:24-26).

Simeon is expectant of the Savior (Luke 2:21-35)

Simeon heard the rumblings perhaps from the Shepherds who praised and glorified God with the arrival of the newborn babe (Luke 2:20). Simeon’s soul was in-tuned with the Holy Spirit. Though he was aged he remained hopeful, at night his dreams (Acts 2:17) were even speaking to him, visions that his eyes would see the Savior. The name Simeon means ‘to hear’. Simeon waited by looking forward and that’s all that matters.

“And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” - Luke 2:25

Rewarder of Faith

The righteous live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38). Faith is defined in the Bible in “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” - Hebrews 11:1. In all of Israel at the birth of Christ, there is one man, named Simeon, who is faithfully waiting for the Savior and is told by the Holy Spirit his eyes will see Him, Simeon is confident this will happen. God rewards those who live by faith, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” - Hebrews 11:6.

Five Characteristics of Simeon’s Faith:

Blesses Others - “ Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel…” - Luke 2:34. Simeon sought to bless others.

Bold. - “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 customer of the law, he (Simeon) took Him up in his arms and blessed God….” Luke 2:27-28. What mother or parents lets a stranger pick up there newborn? Simeon is bold in his approach to Mary and Joseph, the Holy Spirit gave him boldness, “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” - Luke 2:26. “…But the righteous are bold as a lion” - Proverbs 28:1.

Expectant Faith - The Psalmist states, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly” - Psalm 5:3. Simeon’s faith was forward thinking, he was expectant God would answer him.

Desires God’s Will - “For my eyes have seen your salvation. Which you prepared before all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel” - Luke 2:30-32. Simeon recognizes God’s heart for all people, he desires for all people to come to salvation. See also these verses: 1st Timothy 2:1-5, 2nd Peter 3:9. Simeon’s vision is for all people to come to light of God’s open invitation to believe in the Savior.

Listening Faith - Simeon was in tuned with the Holy Spirit. The scriptures commend believers ‘to be quick to listen’ (James 1:19). “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” - Romans 10:17. It was probably not a coincidence that Simeon’s name means “to hear”. Simeon was an active listener to God as it states, “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” - Luke 2:26.

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