Simeon (a.k.a. “The Rock”). An apostle. What’s Simeon’s story/track record? Good? Bad? What were Simeon’s credentials? Was Simeon qualified to be an apostle? Hmmmm…

Simeon is writing to people who have OBTAINED something. What have they obtained? FAITH. They have obtained faith. What kind of faith? …Faith that is of equal standing with the apostles (and this has happened/occurred – by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ).

Then Simeon says that he wants some stuff to be multiplied to this group that he’s writing to. What? What does he want to be multiplied to them? He wants grace and peace be multiplied to them in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. And what is that KNOWLEDGE of God that Simeon is referring to? …Well, you’ll have to read about Jesus of Nazareth to KNOW (see Hebrews 1:3 and Colossians 1:15).

Then Simeon says, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”

Wowza!

To us has been granted ALL THINGS that pertain to life and godliness (again, if you want to know what godliness actually looks like – you’ll have to read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and thoroughly imaginatively immerse yourself in the stories, vibes, situations, parables, and confoundings of Jesus of Nazareth!).

And – wowza – we may become partakers of the divine nature!?!?

Then Simeon says, “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.”

SUPPLEMENTS! virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. *7 supplements. …But what does this actually look like? Well – always always always Jesus of Nazareth. And I would also point you to Mary Poppins, Willy Wonka, Mr. Darcy, The Count of Monte Cristo. Master Oogway. Queen Esther. Daniel (a.k.a. Belteshazzar). AND Joseph, son of Jacob (a.k.a. Zaphenath Paneah).

Then Simeon says, “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Being richly provided for! That sounds very good! …and that very good thing is connected to diligently practicing certain qualities (#mind the supplements).

Then Simeon says, “I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.”

RECALL!

REMINDERS!

What reminders do you LOVE?

Finally Simeon says, “We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

In short… Simeon is a MYSTIC!