I want to start this year like this man who was at the end of his life! A contradiction? Yes, maybe, but a crucial one!
Simeon, what was he waiting for?
He was righteous and devout, that means he is loved by Lord and lived accordingly to His desires to please, obey and serve Him. Simeon was old, waiting to see for himself the Messiah, he was promised that.
It was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Christ. This is remarkable, the Holy Spirit was not released yet, as in Acts 2, and we see the Spirit upon Simeon, giving a revelation and a promise that Simeon will see the Christ before he dies. Not only the work of the Spirit is evident in Simeon’s life, but the Spirit is working behind the scenes. Simeon comes at the right time and place to see Jesus, who was presented in the temple. Simeon did not go to the temple by chance. Nor because it was his custom, he was moved by the Spirit to go that day into the Temple, and he obeyed.
How can this man in his old age be so fresh, and so sensitive to the Holy Spirit?
First, he was accredited as righteous, meaning that he understood the grace of God upon him and that grace made him be in a servant, a devout lover of God.
Second, he knew how to stay alert, sensitive and obedient to the Holy Spirit; he could not rely upon his strength, wisdom and commitment. Why? Because he was humble, he “was poor in the spirit” and Simeon saw the Kingdom of God and its King. This King he held in his arms.
So, here are some points:
- The Holy Spirit was upon him
- The Holy Spirit’s promises became true
- The Holy Spirit moved him
- Simeon prophesied under the anointing of the Holy Spirit:
“Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel.”
And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed —
There is only one difference between Simeon and us is this: The Holy Spirit is within us, inside of us, we are His Temple.
The Holy Spirit always leads us to Jesus, to say I am tired of the Spirit; it is to say I am tired of Jesus.
What was he waiting for? He was waiting for the Holy Spirit to say “Move, today is the Day”!
D.L. 