Blog

I know it is a little early in this series to focus on someone other than Jesus, but I was struck by the number of godly people mentioned in the nativity story. The one that jumped out at me was Simeon. There are only a few verses on this guy, but I have to admit he was very convicting:

25 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 on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 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, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

I was convicted because this man was seeking to know Jesus before Jesus even came into the world. He sought God so passionately that he was given a promise that he would lay eyes on Messiah before he died. Through his prayer and study he was acutely aware of what Jesus came to do for the Gentiles, even though this would be a shock to Jesus’ disciples and even the heavens Paul would write. Meeting Jesus is what this man lived for.

I do not long after Jesus like this. Even though He has saved me from my sins. Even though his teachings are at my fingertips. Even though His Spirit dwells within me. This must change. If I am going to ever going to know Jesus like I should it doesn’t just begin with reading about His life. It begins with having this passion that Simeon had, the kind of passion that leaves Jesus as the only thing I live for.

Jesus help me seek you as Simeon.