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Luke

Luke 
Day 
Day 35

Luke 2 :25-38 "AND THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS UPON HIM" Luke 2:25"

Day 35 – Luke 2

Text: Luke 2 :25-38

“AND THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS UPON HIM” Luke 2:25

Once again, the Holy Spirit is mentioned! Luke has been most careful to note the involvement and ministry of the Holy Spirit. Let’s take a quick review of the times he mentioned the Holy Spirit:-

1. With reference to the birth of John the Baptiser. Luke 1:15

2. With reference to Mary’s conception of Jesus. Luke 1:35

3. With reference to Elizabeth, when Mary came to visit her. Luke 1:41

4. With reference to Zacharias at the Circumcision of John. Luke 1:67

Simeon was “just and devout” (Luke 2:25). He lived in faith and in anticipation of the coming of “The Consolation of Israel.” Many were the promises made to Israel about the Messiah who would come and bring comfort or consolation to the nation. However, there were few who lived as Simeon did.

Though he waited his whole life through, it wasn’t till the evening years of his life before he was given a special word of comfort. In his meditation, in his prayer life, in his walk with God, “it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ (“Anointed One”).

It is easy enough to begin a walk with the Lord. It is quite another thing to remain faithful and steadfast to our commitment to walk with Him. We will need the special ministry of the Holy Spirit to help us sustain our walk with the Lord. Let us desire to have the Holy Spirit come upon us. Who knows what special words of comfort He would give us? Let us first be challenged to live as Simeon did. All his life, he sought to live as one who was “just and devout”.

“HE CAME BY THE SPIRIT” Luke 2:27

The work of the Holy Spirit is far deeper than many realize. He empowers, He protects, He enlightens… and now we read about how He specially leads! Imagine what this means! Thousands of people come to the Temple everyday. Many are the parents who dedicate their firstborn sons to the Lord, and throughout his whole life, Simeon must have witnessed hundreds of sons dedicated. However, only on this occasion, the Spirit of the Lord led him into the Temple to witness the Dedication of Baby Jesus.

His heart must have been filled with the greatest sense of joy as he held Baby Jesus in his arms. Filled with the Spirit, he uttered what is sometimes called the Nunc Dimittis (Luke 2:29-32, “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart…”).How wonderful to be so filled with the Spirit of God! How glorious it must be to be so led by the Holy Spirit. Does your heart not desire to be filled with the Spirit of God?

“LORD, NOW YOU ARE LETTING YOUR SERVANT DEPART IN PEACE, ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD” Luke 2:29

It was a special word of encouragement and comfort that Simeon received from the Lord one day. The promise was that he would not see death, till he caught a glimpse of the “Consolation of Israel” (Luke 2:25).

As Simeon stood in the Temple that morning, he appreciated afresh that God had kept His word to him. He recognized Baby Jesus for who He really was. He was more than just an ordinary child. He was the “salvation” of God (Luke 2:30). This little Baby he held in his arms was the One he waited for all his life! This little Baby would one day be…

“A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel. ” Luke 2:32

Simeon was glad and thankful that the God he had worshipped and served all his life had given him such a special privilege to see the Saviour, the Consolation of Israel. More than that, he now understood that this Saviour would also be worshipped by Gentiles! And he had even had the privilege of holding Him in his arms! He could now depart this earthly life in peace! God had kept His Word to his servant!

A PERSONAL WORD TO MARY

Simeon, the faithful, old servant of the Lord then turned to Mary who was marveling at the words spoken about Baby Jesus!

“Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel,
And for a sign which will be spoken against
(Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also) ,
That the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. ” Luke 2:34-35

He assured her that what he had spoken about Baby Jesus would come to pass. However, though there is every reason to rejoice that many lives would be blessed because of Him. Nevertheless on the personal side, Mary must be prepared, that there would be those who would oppose Him. Mary, because of her bond with her Baby, would feel this pain keenly. The hurt she would feel could well be compared with a sword piercing her soul! These were the first words of warning about the fact that the Saviour would have to endure both opposition and suffering!

“BUT WE SEE JESUS…”

Simeon saw Jesus with eyes spiritually opened by the Holy Spirit. He rejoiced that he had seen God’s “salvation”. He was glad that he had seen the Consolation of Israel. How do you see Jesus? Does your heart bless God as you see Jesus?