Day 39: Luke 2:25-38

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 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.”

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

We spend so much of our time in life waiting – in lines, in waiting rooms, on the phone, at stoplights …and the waiting continues. We have all heard that “good things come to those who wait.”

Talk about good things to wait for…Simeon waited all his life for Jesus, the consolation of Israel. Patiently waiting is a difficult but important spiritual characteristic. And what great reward we can find in waiting!

The Holy Spirit was upon Simeon. Before Pentecost in Acts 2, not all believers had the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would come upon certain individuals for certain tasks. Simeon was privileged in this way. He was specially chosen by God for a specific task. God used him to confirm that Jesus had come to Israel in the flesh. Anna did the same thing.

Oh, that I would be so patient to wait for such a reward! I love that after Simeon saw the Messiah, he was ready to go home to be with the Lord. He had waited patiently all those years and now that what God promised had come to pass, he knew it was time for him to go…another great reward – eternal life with his Heavenly Father.

This passage shows us four people who walked in obedience, despite difficult circumstances. We have Mary and Joseph – what a tough road of obedience they had to walk from the time Mary found out she was with child and then through their walk with their Son, Jesus. We then have Simeon and Anna who lived so long in obedience, waiting expectantly for the One God had promised.

May we wait expectantly in obedience. It is not always easy, as we tend to want things now and we want it our way. May we exercise patience and wait on our God. His timing is impeccable.

Pam Little | Director of Children’s Ministry