SIMEON RESPONDS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT. Luke 1: Harrold Steward

God always has His man. After the circumcision of the baby Jesus, Mary presented herself after childbirth. Simeon was in the temple. His name means ‘listening’, waiting for God to speak. He was a remarkable person, and filled with the Spirit of God. Let’s examine his life, as he appears briefly in this chapter of the Bible.

Simeon was a holy man, ‘ He was in Jerusalem, a just and devout person, waiting for the consolation of Israel , and the Holy Spirit was on him.’ ( v25 ) The Holy Spirit is the life of the Father and the Son, giving character to those whom He fills. Every person knew him for his upright behaviour and his dedication to the Lord.

As Christians, we must righteously conduct ourselves to a world that will understand. My saintly grandfather was a blacksmith in a small country town, where he was respected as ‘holy Robert.’ His workmanship matched his gentle Christ-like manner.

Noah was similarly noble. Job was declared of God to be of like nature. Daniel showed such character as Prime Minister, while Micah writes,’ what does the Lord your God require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.’ ( 6:8) The Holy Spirit greatly enriches believers, making them God-like .

Simeon expected God to visit His people, as ‘he waited for the consolation of Israel.’ (v25) Isaiah writes in chapter 25:9, ‘This is our God we have waited for Him and He will save us. This is the Lord. We have waited for Him. We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.’ God’s Spirit sustained Simeon in the long, waiting period. Isaiah records in chapter 40: verses 10,11 the same strong hope, ‘ The Lord God shall come with a strong hand. His arm shall rule for Him. and His work before Him. And then that attractive prophecy, ‘He shall feed His flock like a shepherd. He shall gather the lambs in His arms and carry them in His bosom. ‘ God’s Spirit gives expectancy.

In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit creates this same anticipation, as ‘Joseph of Arimathea in Mark 15:43 ‘waited for the Kingdom of God.’ The life of our Lord Jesus achieved all that Joseph had longed for. The venerable Anna, a widow of 84 years similarly came into the temple’ looking for the redemption of God’. The same Spirit in His children creates a yearning to see the fulfilment of God’s mighty work.

The Bible states of Simeon ‘that the Holy Spirit was on Him.’ How remarkable that the eternal Spirit should be on this man, who appears momentarily in Scripture and then fades out. The Word of God tells of others on whom His Spirit fell. In Numbers 11:25, ‘ The Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses, and took of the spirit that was on him, and placed the same on the 70 elders.’ God was selective, choosing only the special elders. However, He longs for men and women to be filled with this gracious Person, freely accessible in the Christian age.

Prior to Simeon's experience, Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit when Mary, the mother of our Lord, early in her pregnancy, stood before her. (Luke 1:41) The Holy Spirit came in the presence of God’s beloved Son, even though He was physically in the womb. Marvellous! We must live in His immediate Presence.

Our precious Scriptures came ‘ as holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the

Holy Spirit. ( 2 peter 1:21 ) Each of the writers of Old and New testaments were motivated and directed by the eternal spirit as they left us the legacy of divine Scriptures. They experienced what Simeon had known.

‘It was revealed to him by the same Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.' (v26) This agrees with the Psalmist, who said, ‘ The secret of the Lord is with them who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.’ ( 25:14) God has His favourites, and teaches the choicest lessons only to them who walk closely with Him. It is so in our families, where some of our children or grandchildren grasp divine truths, that we open our hearts to them.

Amos in chapter 3, verse 7 strengthens our grip of this when he said,’ Surely the Lord God reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. ‘

We remember that ‘Enoch was translated that he should not see death, for the Lord took him, as he walked with Him’ ( Hebrews 11:5 ) Simeon had also walked long with his Lord, and now God specifically promised that before he died, he would see the Lord’s Christ.

The term ‘the Lord’s Christ ( the anointed One ) is a beautiful term of endearment, spoken by the Holy Spirit to the revered Simeon. In Psalm 2:2, David foretold ‘that the kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and His Anointed. Simeon knew what opposition would come to his dear Lord as the appointed One. Prime Minister Daniel ( 9:24 ) said, ‘ Seventy weeks are appointed to anoint the Most Holy. He is ‘Messiah the prince’ in verse 25 and in the following verse,

’ Messiah shall be cut off.’ David, Daniel and Simeon spoke of the same Christ.

‘And he came by the spirit into the temple.’ (v27) How extraordinary that after longing for many years to see the anointed One, Simeon entered the temple at precisely the moment when Mary, Joseph and the child Jesus appeared. Or who could anticipate that God would coincide all their comings. This was an eternal event for the long-promised Messiah had been born. Truly one of the great moments in history.

The leading of the Spirit is a privilege intended for every child of God.

Recently I met some Muslims from Asia in a supermarket. WE had some coffee together. How could I converse with them? I prayed. Soon our nations were involved in a cricket final. They were interested. Our talk turned to the Messiah, where sadly they revered another person. English discussion, curries, watching the video ‘Jesus’, a powerful tool, reading the bible in their own language and English, finding employment in answer to prayer in the Name of the Messiah. It all began with the original meeting. The Holy Spirit guided Simeon to the Saviour, even as He directs us today.

Simeon did an unprecedented thing as ‘He took Him ( the child Christ ) in his arms, and blessed God’ ( v28) He embraced and lifted high the saviour. God’s Spirit elevates the Lord before men, praising Him and worshipping Him. Later, our Lord said, " I, if I be lifted up shall draw all men to Me.' Paul wrote convincingly ‘God has given Him a Name which is above every Name, that that at the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Phil 2: 8-10) Simeon lifted the Child, whereas Paul raised the Name of the Lord.

‘Simeon blessed God’ ( v28) breaking out in a song of David’s praise, ‘ Oh, give thanks to the Lord. Call on His Name. Make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him. Talk of all His wondrous works. Glory in His holy Name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord. ( Psalm 105:1-3 )

The Holy Spirit gave Simeon character; granted expectancy of blessing; came upon him; revealed truth to him; and showed His Messiahship to him.

May we love and revere the third Person of the Trinity.

Feel ,free to contact Harrold Steward hgsteward@cobweb.com.au