Simeon

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 upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 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, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 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." The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "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 your own soul too." Luke 2:25-35

Many regarded him as a strange old man. “Senile” or “odd” they whispered to one another and tried not to stare at him as he passed. He said things they didn’t understand. He just wasn’t like everybody else.

He spent a lot of time in the temple. A good place for him, perhaps. He wouldn’t bother them as long as he was in there, wouldn’t tell people his funny stories about a coming Messiah.

But Simeon wasn’t bothered by what people thought about him or his stories, for he knew the stories were true. In fact, God had promised him that he would see the Messiah in his lifetime, so he knew it had to be soon.

And so it was. He knew when he saw the young couple coming into the temple that day. The infant they carried was the long-awaited One who would save Israel and even the Gentiles.

They allowed him to hold the child. He was filled with the Holy Spirit as he peered into the baby’s tiny face. Now he could die in peace. God had fulfilled His promise.