When Simeon Took Hold of Jesus
The meticulous historian, Dr. Luke, at the beginning of his two-volume work known as Luke-Acts, presents a series of eyewitnesses to the divine conception, virgin birth, and infancy of Jesus Messiah, the Son of the Living God, who took on flesh to become the Son of Man (Jn 1:14). These witnesses are essential for Luke’s readers to draw a right conclusion regarding the origin and identity of the Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Simply put, the piety of the witnesses warrants our belief in God’s only begotten Son.
Mary was a virgin girl, chosen by God, to be the mother of the incarnate Son. Joseph was a noble young man, who was chosen by God to be Jesus’ earthly dad. In contrast, yet in tandem with these two young parents were two elderly people, Simeon and Anna, who occupied the Temple in love and devotion for Yahweh, the God of Israel. These, of course, are accompanied by the elderly Zacharias and Elizabeth and the shepherds, all of whom had tales regarding the arrival of the Promised One, foretold by the prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures.
The testimony of Scripture confirms the validity of these witnesses, who had supernatural encounters with angels, heavenly host, and events that rise far above the natural order. In other words, the readers of Matthew 1, Luke 1, and John 1 are immediately thrust into the realm of divine ordering of people and events. Jesus’ first advent should cause us, like Mary, to treasure these things in our hearts with an end goal objective of praising God along with the shepherds. We certainly read wonderful words in the infancy accounts of the Gospels that commence the New Testament of the Holy Bible.
Simeon of Jerusalem is our interest here. Simeon is a witness we can trust. Some forty days after the birth of Jesus to the virgin Mary, we are escorted most probably into the court of Gentiles (or court of women) at the Temple in Zion. A divine appointment resulted in a divine encounter between Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus, and the righteous and devout stranger. In Luke 2:25–35, we are made privy to some remarkable words.
First, Mary and Joseph are there to present their firstborn Son to the Lord, according to the Law. In this, we note their piety. A Jewish man approaches them. By implication, Simeon (God has heard) asks to hold the baby. He then praises Yahweh.
Application here is easy. We should take hold of Jesus in our hearts and minds, and if we do, we, too, will praise God. Are you doing that, my dear reader? No one else in Jerusalem that day, except for Anna, seemed ready to meet the Savior of the world. Many still neglect Him.
The fact is, God prepared these elderly saints to meet Jesus. Here is truth for today. No one will seek Jesus unless God the Father draws (Gk. elkuse) him or her to come to the Savior, who will never turn away anyone who does come to Him (Jn 6:37, 44, 65). The agency of the Holy Spirit, as with Simeon, is essential in this sovereign work of God.
Second, Simeon received Word from God that He would not die until he saw the Lord’s Christ. When he did see Jesus, he quoted Scripture in a hymn we know as “Nunc Dimittas” (“Now Lord”). This is the third hymn recorded by Luke in his first two chapters. Simeon’s song speaks of the prophecy of salvation, which by virtue of his holding the baby is in his immediate gaze. Simeon is face-to-face with God, the God of his salvation.
Three times we have allusion to the Holy Spirit in this section. The Spirit of God, the third Person of the Trinity, has come upon Simeon with revelation, with guidance, and with words to declare to Jesus’ parents. Simeon is “in the Spirit” in his approach toward the young couple, and he knows his Savior with immediate recognition. His words are joyful, even exuberant.
Third, Christians marvel at the Gentile inclusion. We must be reminded that this “Light”, as a revelation the Gentiles, is a quote from the prophet Isaiah. Gentile inclusion has always been part of the salvation of Yahweh. Truly, Jesus is the Light of the world of Gentiles (Jn 8:12), whom the Father loves, as demonstrated in His sending forth His Son, so that whosoever, Jew or Gentile, believing in Him, shall not perish but has eternal life (Jn 3:16).
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Fourth, what glory do the chosen people of God have apart from our Lord Jesus Christ (Jn 15:5). We have nothing to boast in except who Jesus is and what He has done (1 Cor 1:31; Gal 6:14). We who have the light of Christ shining in our hearts, glory in the face of Christ (2 Cor 4:6).
Fifth, we have heard good news of the consolation to us as the holy nation of royal priests, called out of darkness and into His marvelous Light (1 Pet 2:9). Jesus is our Comforter, as we wait to die on the day appointed by God for us. The world hates Christians, as it hates Christ, because it hates God (Rom 1:30). What a comfort it is to know God has graciously appointed our personal encounter with Jesus in the Spirit. The now open, spiritual eyes of our hearts have seen the glory, felt the comfort, and we, too, are prepared to die without fear (Phil 1:21–23).
Sixth, Simeon warned Jesus’ parents that many would rise and yet many would fall because of this child. The providence of God, in the provision of the incarnate Word, would cut and separate like a very large broad sword (Heb 4:12). Jesus is the Word of the Lord, and the rest of the Bible and human history speaks of resulting division because of Him.
My dear reader, quote the Bible out loud and you will see what Simeon was saying. As the Sword of the Spirit, the written and spoken Word, is proclaimed, a visible division occurs. Faces respond in joy or anger over Jesus (incarnate Word) and the Bible (written Word). The preacher of the Word becomes the target of the hostility of sinners but blessed are you if you experience such persecution (Mt 5:10–12).
Finally, Mary, the mother of Jesus, endured a sword to her own soul. She serves as an example for us when we see how people treat Jesus, in vain use of His holy name, in every effort to suppress the truth, and in open contention with Him as the sign of our salvation…and their damnation. Sinners do exactly what the Bible says they will do. Saints also do exactly what the Bible says they will do.
Jesus is the only way to God the Father (Jn 14:6). His name, alone, is given by heaven, to humanity, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Jesus, alone, delivers us from the wrath to come (1 Thess 1:10), that is, the righteous wrath of God executed on the day of wrath against this world and all who have ever stood against Yahweh, the one true God and His Son (Ps 2; Rom 2:5; Rev 19:11–21).
Simeon rejoiced in what he saw and held in his hands. The Word of God was given to him by the Holy Spirit to warn of Jesus’ effect upon people. What effect has He had upon you? Do you rejoice when you hear His name? Do you delight when you see His people serving Him? Or are you opposed to the King of heaven come to earth? Does it irritate you when people mention Jesus, their Lord and Savior, who is the Messiah sent by God? Have you ever inquired of the Bible to determine why you are hostile to Jesus Christ?
Finally, my dear reader, are you prepared to die? Simeon saw Jesus and it was enough for him. He was ready to die in peace, because he was at peace with God, because he beheld the Prince of Peace. Maybe, just maybe, reading this article is your divine appointment, your divine encounter pointing you to the Jesus of the Bible. If you want the revelation of God like Simeon, then pick up the Bible and read, and may the Holy Spirit of God illumine the revelation that is designed for you to see the salvation of God. You, too, if you glory in Him, will know you have been saved by His grace, alone.
David Norczyk
Manhattan Beach, California
July 20, 2026
