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March 16
Simeon
Luke 2:25-35
Have you ever considered that the principal actors in the birth of Jesus, other than mom and dad, are very elderly? Elizabeth and Zechariah, Simeon and Anna are all elderly folks. There might just be a reason for this:
Who among the Jews is most likely to be devout? Perhaps those with the most practice?
In a greater sense, they represent the last of the Old Testament - those bound by the Law.
But there is no conflict between old and new - for the old blesses the new, and then departs.
We see in this story a man, Simeon, who is great in the Holy Spirit. In the old covenant, the Spirit comes and goes as He pleases. In that covenant, the Spirit rests upon someone for God's purposes. In his old age he does not know why, but he has been told: you will not see death until you see the Lord's Anointed One, the Messiah. So, day after day, he goes to the one most likely spot: the Temple. Then one day a young girl brings in a baby, and the Spirit moves Simeon to prophesy.
There is a dark side to the prophecy. We see the Christmas season as a time of joy, but Simeon sees, through the eyes of the Spirit, the darker points.
He sees that the time has come for the rising and falling of many. No longer may those who waver sit on the fence. The man of decision is born, and decision must be made. The Messiah is here; you are for or against him.
He sees also the years of persecution. To carry the name of Christian is to be persecuted. Sometimes mildly, sometimes to death, but always there is persecution. The wicked abhor the light of righteousness, and the Christian is the light of the world.
Touchingly, he sees the pain that Mary will bear. She will see her first born son crucified like a common criminal. Neither she, nor anyone else, will see the Resurrection beforehand. The pain of this will be hers, a sword in her side.
The prophecy remains. Decision is here; the righteous will be persecuted. Pain will come. But then the Resurrection! The time to decide is now; choose wisely.
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