|
"And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law."
(Luke 2:25-27)
Over the next three devotions, we will focus on the prophet Simeon in Luke 2:25-35. He is another biblical character, like the shepherds and the wise men, who was intentional in his efforts when it came to his encounter with Jesus.
Luke 2:29-32 contains Simeon's Song called Nunc Dimittis, the translation from Latin to English is "now you let depart" (The Believer's Study Bible, p. 1438). He is mentioned only one time in the Scriptures, but it is most significant. He was allowed by God to see the Son of God and then make a prophetic announcement about Him. This song resembles two others in the Christmas narrative, the one by Mary in Luke 1:46-55, called the Magnificat, and the one by Zacharias, John the Baptist's father, in Luke 1:68-79, called the Benedictus. It demonstrates this godly man's understanding of prophecies, especially Isaiah 40-55 (Ibid.).
From today's biblical text, Luke 2:25-27, let us seek to be like Simeon, who was intentional with his actions. In verse 25, Luke describes his character, the type of man Simeon was. He was just and devout. He was a good and godly man, and what a wonderful way to be described. He also was a patient man, as he waited on the promise of God to be fulfilled. The Consolation of Israel refers to the Messianic age, "For Luke this referred not to the fulfillment of Jewish political hopes involving deliverance from their enemies and restoration of David's throne, but rather to the salvation Jesus brought." (Stein, R. H. (1992). Luke (Vol. 24, p. 115). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.) The Consolation of Israel is the Messianic reign or coming of the long-awaited Messiah. The Holy Spirit was upon Simeon. This is the first of three times Luke mentions the Holy Spirit in verses 25-27. Like in the Old Testament times, the Holy Spirit came upon him for an assignment.
In verse 26, we read that God had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Christ. I can see him coming daily to the temple and asking God, "Is today the day? I know it will happen one day because You promised me this, oh God." And when God makes a promise, it is done, and it is only a matter of time til it is fulfilled.
I love verse 27: "So he came by the Spirit into the temple." The Holy Spirit directed him to the temple. He would not miss this day, for this was the day! Mary and Joseph bring in Jesus, and Simeon sees Him. The custom of the law was, after the child's first month, a payment of five shekels was made for the firstborn. This was redemption from priestly work or service.
Tomorrow we will learn from Simeon's song of praise to Jesus. Let us seek today to be people of intentionality when it comes to focusing on Jesus in this Christmas Season. May we, like Simeon, make the effort to pursue Jesus with passion.
|
Apple
Spotify
Stitcher
YouTube
