Meeting Simeon: What Our Relationship With Jesus Reveals About Our Hearts
At Christmas, we often focus on the familiar figures of the nativity, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the wise men. But tucked inside the story of Jesus’ birth is another powerful witness who is often overlooked: Simeon.
Simeon’s encounter with Jesus reminds us of something both beautiful and challenging, following Christ may make us look different, and encountering Jesus always reveals what’s in our hearts.
Who Was Simeon in the Bible?
Simeon was a righteous and devout man living in Jerusalem who had received a remarkable promise from the Holy Spirit: he would not die before seeing the Lord’s Messiah. According to Luke 2:25–35, when Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the temple for dedication, Simeon was there, led by the Spirit, not by coincidence. This was not a random moment. Simeon had spent years waiting, watching, and trusting God’s promise. He knew the prophecies. He believed the Messiah would come. And he lived every day in expectation.
What Does It Mean to Be “Eccentric for Christ”?
Simeon likely stood out. He was the kind of believer who talked openly about God’s promises and lived with visible hope. To others, he may have seemed odd, eccentric, even. Every church has people like that. They’re deeply moved when they speak about Jesus. They share their faith boldly. They notice God’s activity where others don’t. And often, these “eccentric” believers recognize Jesus first, because they are watching and listening.
Recognizing Jesus in Unexpected Places
When Simeon finally met the Messiah, it wasn’t in a palace or surrounded by power. It was a poor couple holding a baby, ordinary, unimpressive by worldly standards. Yet the Holy Spirit revealed the truth to Simeon: This is Him. Holding Jesus in his arms, Simeon declared that his eyes had seen God’s salvation, a light for all nations and the glory of Israel. Faith allowed Simeon to recognize Jesus where others might have walked right past Him.
What Did Simeon’s Prophecy Reveal About Jesus?
Simeon’s words were both hopeful and sobering. He told Mary that Jesus was destined to cause the falling and rising of many and that He would reveal the thoughts of many hearts. Some would receive Jesus with faith. Others would resist Him. To Mary, Simeon added a personal warning, that her own soul would be pierced. She would watch as her Son was accepted by some and rejected by others, especially by those who valued tradition over transformation.
How Does Jesus Cause People to Fall or Rise?
Simeon’s prophecy is still unfolding today. When people encounter Jesus, they must decide:
Will I surrender and rise in faith? Or will I resist and fall away? Those who acknowledge their need for a Savior often experience growth, healing, and renewal. But those who cling to pride, comfort, or religious routine often struggle with Jesus’ call to repentance and relationship. Jesus does not leave hearts neutral, He reveals them.
What Does Your Relationship With Jesus Reveal About You?
Simeon said that Jesus would expose what is truly inside us. Our response to Christ shows who we really are.
Through Scripture, prayer, and the conviction of the Holy Spirit, Jesus reveals:
Our pride
Our fear
Our hunger for righteousness
Our need for grace
The question is not whether Jesus is revealing something; it’s whether we are willing to listen.
Life Application: Becoming Like Simeon
Simeon challenges us to live with visible faith, to be “eccentric for Christ” in a world that prefers comfort over conviction.
This week, ask yourself:
Has my relationship with Jesus caused me to rise in faith, or drift away?
What is Jesus revealing about my heart?
Am I willing to stand out for Christ?
How can I become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading?
The Messiah Simeon waited for has already come. The question now is whether we have eyes to see Him, and hearts ready to worship Him, no matter how unexpectedly He shows up in our lives.
