The biographies of famous men
and women that are published today read more like a novel
than they do a biography. These biographies are written
about famous folks, celebrities, politicians, whatever. They'll
go into great detail. They'll reveal the house which
these famous men and women were born. They'll tell you such information
as where they like to eat, what they like to eat. They mention
anything and everything that they think would be of public
interest. But in the verses before us,
we have a short, concise biography of a man who will be forever
known and recorded in the pages of God's inspired book. And his name is Simeon. Look
at verse 25. We have pretty much his biography
in one verse here. 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." What a short and to the point biography that is. His name was Simeon. He lived
in Jerusalem. He was a just man. He was a devout
man. He waited for the consolation
of Israel and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And that's just
enough of a biography for any of us. Our existence in this
world has never been about us. Now I know that may disappoint
some folks, but it's not about us. My mom used to tell me that
the world don't revolve around you, David Lee. And you know
what? I found out that it doesn't.
I thought it did, but it doesn't. Our existence in this world has
never been about us. It's about the glory of God.
It's about the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. And
the less that is said of us, and the more that is said about
Him, the better off we'll be. Now the story before us in just
a few short verses is worthy of our attention. I think there's
a great deal that can be gleaned from the story of Simeon. Did
you notice that the Holy Ghost put the word behold at the beginning
of this statement concerning Simeon? Behold, there was a man
in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. The name Simeon, interesting
enough, means hearkening one, or one that hears and obeys. I doubt very seriously if there
ever be a biography written about me, but when I die, I would just
be elated with such a biography as Simeon's. I would be forever
delighted and thankful if these things could and would be said
of me. First, that I dwelt in Jerusalem. spiritual Jerusalem, which means
the habitation of peace. You see, that's where all God's
people dwell spiritually. All those who trust in Christ
in this life and in the next. Christ is our Jerusalem. Christ
is our habitation of peace. It's in Christ we enjoy the peace
of God, which Paul said passes all understanding and that keeps
our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus and on Christ Jesus. In
Christ, we enjoy that peace of God, and it keeps our hearts
and our minds through the Lord Jesus Christ. And secondly, how
wonderful it would be if my biography noted that I was considered a
sinner who hearkened unto the Lord. That's what the name Simeon
means, one who hearkens unto the Lord, one that hears and
obeys. one who's heard and obeyed God's
voice. The Holy Spirit did not say,
behold, there was a king of Jerusalem whose name was King Herod. The
Holy Spirit does not record, behold, there was a high priest
of Jerusalem whose name was Annas. No, it simply says, behold, take
notice. There was simply a man, a man
just like any other man, a man who was a sinner, whose name
was Simeon. There was nothing special about
Simeon, but there was something special done for him. And oh,
how wonderful it would be if it could be said of me, David
Edmondson, only a sinner saved by God's grace. Thirdly, how
delightful it would be if it was said that my character, like
Simeon's, was just and devout. just as Simeon's character was
before men, and devout was his character before God. Now, was
Simeon a father? Well, we're not told, but if
he was, I can assure you he was a just father. He didn't provoke
his children to anger, lest they should be discouraged. Was Simeon
a master? Well, we're not told, but if
he was, you can be assured that he was a just master. He gave
his servants that which was just, that which was right, knowing
that he himself had a master in heaven. Was Simeon a merchant? Again, we're not told, but if
he was, he was a just merchant. He didn't overcharge for his
service or his goods. He conducted himself honestly
in business. He honored God in his business
transactions. Well, was Simeon a servant? Again,
we're not told, but if he was, he was a just servant. He didn't
render eye service as a man pleaser, no. In singleness of heart, he
faithfully served his master and he faithfully served his
Lord. I'm positive of that because he was a just man. And according
to many Bible scholars, it's very possible that Simeon was
one of the teachers of the Jews. But if Simeon was that teacher
of the Jews, then you can be assured that he was a just and
faithful teacher who spoke what he knew concerning the word of
God. And he did not do so for any gain or filthy lucre, because
he was a just man. Before men, Simeon was a just
man, but that's only half of this man's character. He was
also devout, devout before God. Luke does not say Simeon was
just and religious. It says that he was just and
devout. You see, being religious is a
term often used to describe outward observances. A man may be outwardly
very religious without at all being inwardly devout. Now the word devout means devoted. Simeon was devoted to God. The word devout means God-fearing. Simeon possessed inward and spiritual
grace. It's a rarity that a man is both
just and devout. No doubt that describes a godly
man. Fourthly, I so hope that it can
be said of me as it was Simeon that I waited for the consolation
of Israel. Simeon was waiting for the consolation
of Israel. Well, what does that mean? What
was he waiting for? Well, he was waiting for someone.
He was looking for someone and he was expecting someone and
Christ was the consolation of Israel. Simeon was longing and
looking and expecting Christ the Messiah and the Redeemer
to come. If the Lord Jesus doesn't come
again before I die, I hope that it can be said of me that I was
a man who trusted in Christ, a man that was waiting on Christ's
return. I do. I do. Now I want you to
hear me on this. Men and women do not usually
find Christ. Men and women do not usually
find salvation if they have no interest in Christ or salvation. Those who do not have any interest
in redemption nor have any interest in salvation most of the time
do not find it. But those who feel their guilt
and those who see their need, those that have sorrow over their
sin seem to always find salvation. The Pharisee that went up to
the temple to pray, well, he wasn't seeking God. The scripture
says he prayed thus with himself. He was there to brag on himself
before God. He said, Lord, I thank you that
I'm not like other men. I'm not a extortioner, I'm not
unjust, I'm not an adulterer, and I'm certainly not like that
Pharisee there in the back. I do this and I do that. Let
me tell you all that I do. But God knew what he was, and
God knew what he did, and God didn't know that Pharisee. One
day there will be many who profess to believe and say, Lord, Lord,
haven't we done this? And haven't we done that? And
the Lord Jesus will say, depart from me ye that work iniquity.
I never knew you. You see, that's the issue. Does
he know me? But then we're told about that
publican standing afar off, would not lift up so much as eyes unto
heaven, but smote upon his breast saying, God, be merciful to me
a sinner. Now that's the prayer that gets
the Lord's attention. Lord, be merciful to me, the
sinner that I am. Here was a man seeking mercy. He was seeking mercy because
he was guilty. He acknowledged his guilt and
he got mercy. That's the way it works. And
that publican, not the Pharisee, we're told that he went down
to his house justified. He went down at his house with
his sin paid for. Men and women usually don't find
mercy unless they're seeking for it. unless they're looking
for it. Simeon found Christ because he
was looking for him. Simeon found Christ because he
was interested in him. The question is, are you interested
in the Savior? I will clarify right now that
Simeon was interested and Simeon was looking because God put that
interest in him. But that's who finds help, those
who know and see their inability. There was a woman that was diseased
for 12 long years. You remember her. The Bible says
that she had spent everything that she had. She spent everything
and therefore she had nothing. That's a pretty good place to
be, really. She was broke. She was bankrupt. She had nothing
to offer God. She had gone to every doctor,
to every specialist, but none of them could help her, not a
one. And she grew worse. Yet she had hope, and she said
within herself, if I could just get to Christ, I'll be made whole. And you know, I don't know for
sure, we're not told, but I'm pretty well convinced that that
poor woman crawled on her belly through that great crowd of people
to touch the hem of Christ's garment. And when she did, the
scripture says immediately she was made whole. What was she
interested in? What did she desire and long
for? She wanted to be healed. She
wanted to be made whole. Do you want to be healed? Do
you see that you're sick? Do you see that you have great
need? There's a great physician that can help you. Oh, I hope
and pray that can be said of me. This sinner came to the great
physician and was graciously healed and made whole. Are you
like Simeon interested in knowing who the Savior is? Those who
seek the Lord shall find him. Our Lord said, you shall seek
me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. Blessed
are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness, they shall
be filled. And fifthly, I hope that when
folks remember me in any way, if they do, that it might be
said that I had the Holy Ghost upon me and in me. You see, beloved,
Simeon wanted help. Simeon wanted mercy. Simeon wanted
to know the Lord. The question is this morning
to you. Look at verse 26 with me. 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,
Now, I'll pause there for a second. Simeon, we see here, was led
by the Holy Spirit to Christ. If you're ever going to come
to Christ, that's how you're going to be brought, by the Holy Spirit.
No sinner ever came to Christ by his own wisdom. Simeon would
have never found the Lord had the Holy Spirit not brought him
into the temple this day. He didn't know when Christ was
coming. Simeon didn't know that Christ would be there this day.
He didn't even know at this point who Christ was. But the Holy
Spirit led him there. At the same time, the Holy Spirit
brought Mary and Joseph and the child Jesus to do unto Him, we're
told, after the custom of the law. The Holy Spirit brought
Simeon's path to cross the path of the Lord Jesus. Child of God,
He did the same for you. "'Our Lord said, no man can come
to me "'except the Father which sent me, draw him. "'And as many
as received him, to them he gave, "'God gave the privilege to become
the sons of God, "'even to them that believe on his name, "'which
were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, "'nor
of the will of man, but of God.'" Salvation is a work of God. Salvation
is an operation of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit brought Simeon
to Christ. If God ever crosses your path
with the Savior, it's because the Holy Spirit brought you there. He'll bring you to the gospel,
or he'll bring the gospel to you. He will do so if you're
one of his. And if any sinner ever comes
to Christ, that'll be how? It'll be by the Spirit of God.
I love that verse that says, I hath not seen nor ear heard,
neither hath it entered into the heart of man the things that
God hath prepared for them that loved him. But he hath revealed
them unto us, how? By his Spirit. 1 Corinthians
2.9. God has hid these things from
the wise and the prudent and revealed them unto Baal. And
verse 26 tells us that very plainly. 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 it's here that we see that
blessed truth again of divine revelation. God, the Holy Spirit,
reveals the things of Christ to us. We can't figure them out
on our own. They have to be revealed to.
The Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon that he would not die physically
till he saw the very one who would save him forever. That
being the Lord's Christ. You know, the Lord's Christ is
the Lord Jesus Christ. There's only one. Not the Jesus
Christ of men's imaginations, no. Not the one who men imagine
to be altogether like them. That's the reason that men and
women have such a low opinion of God. They think God is altogether
like themselves. No, it's the Lord's Christ that's
safe center. It's the Lord's Christ that must
be revealed to you. Have you seen the Lord's Christ?
Well, who does God reveal Christ to? Fallen sinners, seeking sinners,
hungry sinners, needy sinners, helpless sinners, waiting sinners,
longing sinners, looking sinners, believing sinners. It's a faithful
saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the
world to save who? Sinners. Those that are well
have no need of a physician, but those that are sick most
certainly do. I don't think there's any doubt
here. We can kind of read between the lines that Simeon had waited
for some time. I don't know when the Lord had
revealed this to him or the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that
he would see the Lord's Christ before he died. But I picture
Simeon now being an old man, gray headed. He had passed the
usual time of life allotted to a man. He didn't wish to live
forever here on earth, but he had hoped and he had prayed and
he had desired to see the Lord Christ. And he received the fulfillment
of his expectation. Oh, don't ever give up. We have
to wait patiently on the Lord. He does things in his own time,
not in ours. We're by nature so impatient.
We want it right now, don't we? Verse 27, 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 let us
thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word, for mine
eyes have seen thy salvation. Did Simeon wait in vain? No. He waited for Christ, the consolation
of Israel. And now he saw what he waited
for. He said, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation. Friends,
Jesus Christ is God's salvation. He's the consolation for spiritual
Israel. And I could just picture Simeon
here, the old man he now is, maybe he's using a staff of some
sort as a cane to help balance him His tired old legs are limping
there into the temple that day, and I can almost see his disappointed
face, his eyes dark with distress, because he had not yet found
that he was looking for. He wanted to see, but he couldn't
see. He desired to know, but he didn't know. The Holy Spirit's
promise had encouraged him to wait, but in his unbelieving
moments, he became discouraged. Does that ever happen to you?
Of course it does. It happens to all of us. But
let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering,
for He, God, is always faithful at promise. He's always faithful. And it was then that Simeon saw
that young mother holding that baby. And he just knew. How did he know? The Spirit.
Bear witness with his spirit that it was so. He knew who that
baby was. And I'm sure he said within himself,
that's the Christ. That's the Savior. That's God's
salvation right there. And then he took that baby up
in his arms and he blessed God. He said, let your servant depart
in peace now according to the word. You know he blessed God.
You see, dear sinner, you'll bless God when he reveals Christ
to you. Why would Simeon now be able
to depart in peace? Well, the answer was according
to God's word. Last week, I had two high school
classmates that died at the age of 66 and the other at the age
of 64. They both had their funerals
yesterday. I had another classmate contact
me, and he said this to me. He said, or that could be you
and me at any time. You know what my response was?
I'm ready to go. And it upset him. He said, really? Really? You're ready to go? He
took it as me being miserable. He took it as me having nothing
here to live for. You know, most everyone in this
world is trying to figure out a way to stay in this life just
a little bit longer. Christ has made everything right
between me and my God. God no longer angry with me,
the wicked every day. To die is gained. And those who
are found in Christ can depart in peace. God no longer angry
with those who are in Christ. And this is all according to
God's word, is it not? All who have and hold Christ
in their arms do so according to God's word, will, and purpose. Why was Simeon ready to depart?
The same reason every believer is. Mine eyes have seen thy salvation. Simeon not only saw Christ with
natural eyes, but he saw him with the eyes of faith. He saw
him with the enlightened spiritual eye. Simeon now held in his arms
the one who holds the universe in his. Isn't that an amazing
thought? When I think of Christ, the Prince
of Glory, stooping so low as this, that a poor woman bears
Him in her arms and calls Him her babe, surely there must be
salvation for the lowest and the poorest. When God the Infinite
would stoop in order to be an infant born in a stable, publicly
acknowledged as a poor woman's child. Is there any doubt, dear
friends, that he would have mercy and receive the poorest and the
lowest and the most despised that seek his face?" That means
there's hope for me. Why has Mary brought him to the
temple? Well, she's brought him there
to redeem him. You see, he was Mary's firstborn.
I found this very interesting. And therefore, the law required
that he must be redeemed. Was Christ then under the law,
you might ask? Yes. He was under the law for
the child of God's sake. In verse 21, we're told that
when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child,
and then in verse 22, when the days of her, Mary's purification,
according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought
him, the Lord Jesus, to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. Look
at what verse 23 says. As it is written in the law of
the Lord, every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy
to the Lord. And to offer a sacrifice according
to that which is said in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle
doves or two young pigeons must be offered. So poor was Mary
that to redeem her firstborn, she couldn't bring a lamb, a
sacrifice that most could afford. But she presented the poorer
offering, a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons. But the
thing that I want you to see here is this. Oh, the stoop of
deity, that God the Son would become flesh and blood and honor
the law and satisfy justice. He's Emmanuel. He's God with
us. And He's brought salvation to
fallen, yet chosen men and women. Simeon saw a perfect obedience
brought to God from the very beginning as an infant. Christ
Jesus was brought under the law. And that's why the Lord, if you
will remember later on when he began his ministry and he came
to the Jordan to be baptized by John the Baptist, and John
said, oh no, I can't baptize you. I have need to be baptized
of thee. And the Lord Jesus said, thus
it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. He was under the
law. He was made under the law. He's
born of a woman, made under the law, that he might redeem us
from the law. That's what we see here. You
see, friends, not a jot or a tittle of the law would Christ have
meant. Even as a babe, he was circumcised as an infant. Christ
was presented in the temple according to the law. He's going to cross
every T and dot every I of the law for his people. The law has
no claim on us because in Christ, we've kept it perfectly. Simeon
saw that infant as the promised Savior, the Messiah, the Christ.
And I can just imagine that he looked back to the old covenant
and saw the one who he now held in his arms. Why, as he looked
upon that babe, I am certain that he saw Noah's ark. All who
were in the ark were safe from God's wrath. Everyone outside
of the ark perished. I'm sure as he looked into that
baby's eyes, Simeon saw the burning bush while Christ is the one
who would burn with the heat of God's wrath and would not
be consumed. As he looked upon that child,
I'm sure Simeon saw the pillar of smoke and fire that would
lead his people to the land of promise. Don't you imagine? Simeon
saw Christ as the Passover lamb, the one whose blood would be
shed that would cause God to pass over his people in wrath
and in judgment. As Simeon looked upon that infant,
I'm sure he saw Christ as the smitten rock, that one from whom
living water flowed when he was smitten of God and afflicted.
Did Isaiah not say, surely he had borne our griefs and carried
our sorrows, yet he did esteem him stricken, smitten of God,
and afflicted. Simeon saw Christ as the manna
from heaven. He's the one that came to save
sinners, his people from their sin, and sustain them forever. And I'm sure Simeon saw Christ
as the brazen serpent. All who looked to him high and
lifted up would be delivered from the fiery serpents of sin. And no doubt, Simeon saw Christ
as the lamb slain before the foundation of the world. He saw
much more than just an infant. And as Simeon gazed upon that
child, you know that he saw a head to the agony and the bloody sweat
the cross and the passion, for he knew that the incarnate God
would not shrink from anything that he had undertaken. That
fair and lovely face of a baby, probably the most beautiful that
human eye had ever rested upon, Simeon, by faith, could see that
same face as a man marred more than any other man. While in
our stead, he suffered the wrath of God. Simeon saw much more
than just a child. He said, my eyes have seen thy
salvation. Simeon now saw that child being
full of life, but with the eye of time, he saw him dead. Dead
because the law had carried out its penalty upon him. Dead because
the sin bearer had been made to die. No doubt that Simeon
saw the resurrection. Death in the grave could not
hold the Lord Jesus. They could claim no victory against
a perfect man. And God the Son said, it's finished. And God the Father said, enough.
Oh, He saw much more than just a baby. Christ returned to His
Father, having accomplished eternal redemption for us. Oh, as we
turn our eyes to Christ, may we see all these things. We turn
our eyes back to Simeon for a moment. It seemed that the old fella
no longer has need to hold onto his staff or his cane. Now both
of his arms held the child, the Lord's Christ. How young he must
have felt. How happy he was. You know, joy
fills his heart. His eyes have seen God's salvation. The whole of salvation is found
in Christ. There's nothing more that we
need. What is there for us to add? What more is required? Washing? No, there's a fountain
filled with blood. Wash yourself in it. What more
is required? Clothing? No, there's a robe
of spotless righteousness provided for us. What more is required? Medicine? No, by His stripes
we are healed. "'What is there of ours that
we could bring to him? "'Shall a creeping worm, a maggot,
"'be needed to complete the work "'of the one who created the
world? "'Christ must be everything or nothing.'" Now, which is he?
Which is he to you? Do you see him? Has he been revealed
to you? Will you take him in your arms?
I don't see anywhere in these verses where Simeon asked Mary
if he could take the child. If you see your need, you won't
have to be pleaded with, you won't have to be bargained with,
you won't have to be begged to take Christ into your arms. You
just won't. You'll just take Him. And no
one will prohibit you. After Simeon took the Lord in
his arms, he wanted nothing, he wished for nothing, he longed
for nothing. You know why? Because he had
it all. Christ is all in it all.