Carson Village, Birmingham, Alabama
For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Your people Israel. ~ Luke 2:30-32
Since we did absolutely nothing noteworthy once again, I’ve decided to share some insight into Simeon. The man who was waiting at the temple for God to reveal the Messiah to him. (See Luke 2:25-35)
These are some things we know about Simeon. He was a man. Not a priest. Not a Rabbi. Just a Jewish man. No one anyone would consider special. And if he’d shared with anyone what God had promised him, most likely many would’ve considered him a bit touched in the head. He was in Jerusalem (possibly already living there). He was righteous and devout. He was ‘waiting (as in long anticipation, excited) for the consolation of Israel’ (consolation = the act of consoling, comfort, solace). The Holy Spirit was upon him (And no. I don’t really know how that worked since the Holy Spirit hadn’t been given yet.). The Holy Spirit revealed to him that (as a reward for his devotion to the Lord) he would not die until he saw ‘the Lord’s Christ’ (aka The Anointed One aka The promised Messiah). And the Holy Spirit prompted him to go to the temple courts. Now, we don’t know how many details the Holy Spirit gave him. All we’re told is that the Spirit moved him to go.
He was a man of God who took God seriously and walked with integrity (righteous and devout). And most importantly, he listened. Something I daresay all of us could do much better! I mean, how can we hear God directing us, if we don’t listen? And how can we listen if we don’t recognize His voice? “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” ~ John 10:27
What if Simeon hadn’t gone when the Spirit told him? What if he’d been too busy to hear? Or procrastinated? Or simply said, “I don’t feel like it today.”? Or what if he’d doubted? “There’s too many people at the temple! How will I ever find Him?”
But Simeon wasn’t that kind of follower. He was righteous and devout. And he loved and trusted God to fulfill the promise and to make sure he knew.
And so, Simeon went to the temple courts to wait, with great anticipation. Can you imagine his excitement?!? Much better than our usual excitement over Christmas! Probably on par with a child’s anticipation of the gifts Santa will bring.
The difference is, Simeon was waiting – not for an event, or to receive some special trinket – he was waiting for a Person. And out of all the hundreds, or maybe thousands, of people in the temple courts that day, he recognized Jesus! And not only did he recognize Him, but he recognized Him as an infant, just 7 weeks old! Remember, Jews were anticipating the promised Messiah as a conquering hero, not a helpless baby.
Can you imagine how surprised Joseph and Mary must have been? And then Simeon took Jesus into his arms and praised God as he held Him. I’m certain, based on what we know of Simeon, that this praise wasn’t done quietly. Everyone around them had to hear. What do you suppose they thought? Crazy man?? Especially since they weren’t expecting a baby (of all things!). Plus Joseph and Mary probably looked as poor as they were. What Messiah would be with such people? Do you think Joseph and Mary were embarrassed by the attention? I think, no. I think they would’ve welcomed the confirmation that this baby was indeed the Son of God. They were human after all, and God had already sent confirmation several times – in the form of Elizabeth, in the form of dreams, in the visit of the shepherds and possibly wise men by now. I think they needed the reassurance of this bold, insane (to us), strange way the Messiah came to save the world.
And Simeon said a blessing over the parents. And then spoke prophesy to Mary. Why not Joseph? Maybe the Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that Joseph wouldn’t be around for the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Or maybe Simeon only spoke the words the Holy Spirit told him to speak. This is the most likely. Simeon’s blessing and prophesy were words spoken directly by God, the Holy Spirit through Simeon’s lips.
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. And a sword will pierce our own soul too. (vs 34-35)
In other words, not only will Jesus suffer the iniquities and insults of men, but Mary will as well. Her heart will be pierced as she watches what happens to her Son and how many will treat Him. Even calling for His crucifixion.
But overshadowing the sadness, is the praise! And the knowledge that God keeps His promises! Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
I almost forgot! There was one thing I could share from today. This evening, I inadvertently converted our bathroom into a sauna.
Let me explain.
We have a couple of small, portable heaters that we use when it’s cold. Doing this prevents us from relying on our coach’s heat, which is a little noisy. It also keeps us from using up our propane, or running up our electric bill (Some places, like here, we pay a very low parking fee, and then pay for electric). When it’s really cold, for a few days, we keep one in the front area, and one in the bathroom, closing both sets of bedroom doors. This keeps the bathroom warmer, as well as the living area.
It’s been pretty cold the past few days.
We also seem to have uninvited teeny, tiny ant guests in our home. Not many, just a few (kinda like the new Geico commercial lol!), but we kill them as we spot them. Thus far, we can’t figure out where they’re coming from and Blaine has sprayed around outside.
All that introduction is necessary – at least to me.
So. Last evening, I went to wash my hands, and noticed an ant crawling on top of the heater. In my attempts to eliminate it, I evidently pushed the on/off button on the heater twice, which apparently meant that the heater would just continue running and running, rather than cycling at a certain prescribed temperature.
At bedtime, Blaine opened the doors and a blast of heat hit him. It was 85⁰ in there! After the shouting match came to its conclusion, we kissed and made up and slept peacefully. And safely. At least all the towels and shower walls were well-dried. . . .