Surrendered to God

Luke 2:25-35 (NIV)

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 not only wrote one of the four gospels, but also wrote the book of Acts.  Luke was a physician, but also was a thorough “investigative reporter” as he claimed in Luke 1:3.  Luke wrote more about the Christmas story than the other three gospel writers with Luke focusing on Greek (Gentile) readers while Matthew, the other gospel writer who wrote about Jesus’ birth, focused on Jewish readers. 

Simeon, along with Anna (starting in Luke 2:36), was a Jew who believed that a Redeemer was coming.  This passage describes Simeon as righteous, devout, eagerly waiting for the Messiah, and was filled with the Holy Spirit.  As a Christ-follower, wouldn’t you rejoice if someone described you like Simeon was described? 

Simeon’s hymn of praise starting with “Sovereign Lord…….” mentions the Gentiles that only Luke would include in a gospel aimed at Gentile readers.  That Jesus is “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” is a direct quote from Isaiah 42:6 and 49:6 where the Hebrew word “nations” is translated in the Greek as “Gentiles”.  It is significant that a devout Jew would include reference to Gentiles in his praise of the baby Jesus. 

Simeon prophesied to Mary that her soul would be pierced and indeed it was as she was close by Jesus during His ministry and witnessed His suffering and death on the cross. 

Simeon was an example of someone who had completely surrendered his life to God.  Surrendering to God is a conduit for hearing God’s voice.  If you are familiar with Oswald Chamber’s devotional book My Utmost for His Highest, surrender is the subject of 10% (37) of his 365 devotionals.  In his December 12 devotional, he makes the following statement that is worth your reflection: “Once your rights to yourself are surrendered to God, your true personal nature begins responding to God immediately.  Jesus brings freedom to your total person and even your individuality is transformed…….to personal devotion to Jesus.”