Simeon is described by three words: righteous, devout, and waiting. And then a very important phrase follows: “…and the Holy Spirit was on him.”
This is what the Holy Spirit does. He makes us righteous by faith. He turns our heart away from sin and makes us devoted to Jesus. He causes us to wait for the Lord in faith.
In Simeon’s case, the Holy Spirit did something a little extra. He also revealed to Simeon that he would not die before seeing the birth of the Messiah.
One day, he was moved by the Spirit to go to the temple in Jerusalem. When Mary and Joseph walked in with the baby Jesus, Simeon knew this was exactly why the Spirit had motivated him to go into God’s house:
“Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: ‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel'” (Luke 2:28-32, NIV).
What was it that this righteous man had been waiting devotedly for? What was he hoping to see?
He was hoping to see Jesus, the one who would bring comfort and peace to God’s people. He was waiting for the one who would prepare salvation for all nations.
If Simeon, a mere man, could be waiting so devotedly and so expectantly, imagine how passionately a righteous and devoted Savior waited to arrive so he could begin to carry out the plan of salvation!
Consider how passionately a righteous and devoted Savior waits — even now — for you to listen to his Spirit’s call, the way Simeon did, and come into his house.
Our Bible reading for Wednesday, March 18, is Numbers 7:1-65, Luke 2:21-40 and Psalm 35:1-10.
Header image based on "Waiting for the Word" by Hacker, CC By 2.0
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