Sumter Pastor Joey Durham: Simeon waited patiently to see his Messiah

I want to continue our Christmas devotions and title this one, "Simeon's Christmas Spirit." My text is Luke 2:25-30 where we see, "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. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation" (KJV)

Here in our text, we are introduced to a man named Simeon, and he lived to experience the very first Christmas! I want to bring to your heart the kind of man Simeon was, which I believe will reveal his Christmas Spirit.

I believe, according to God's Word, that Simeon was a believer and was a "patient man." The Bible states that he was "waiting for the consolation of Israel." The phrase "consolation of Israel" was a Jewish idiom referring to the coming of the Messiah. Simeon was patiently waiting for the birth of a Jewish male child that would be the long-awaited Messiah. In this day in which we live, those who have placed their faith in the finished work of Christ on Calvary's cross are waiting patiently as well for the return of our Savior. Just as sure as Jesus came the first time, He is coming again!

I also believe Simeon was a man that was submissive to God's Word, because he was told by the Holy Ghost that "he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ." Simeon was promised that he would experience firsthand the very first Christmas that would take place on this Earth. I believe Simeon went to the temple in Jerusalem thinking, "Could today be the day that I get to see HIM?" Simeon longed to see his Messiah, the Savior of the Gentiles and the glory of the people of Israel. The day finally came that he was able to set eyes on his Messiah and hold God's newborn King. Simeon then knew it was time for him to depart from this Earth to his heavenly home. One day, every person that is saved will lay their eyes on the One that was born on that very first Christmas, and our heart will be one with Simeon's because we will see the Person of God's salvation!

Dr. Joey Durham is pastor at Open Bible Baptist Church at 180 Old Manning Road in Sumter. You can contact Pastor Durham at durham.joey@yahoo.com or call the church office at (803) 481-9315.