Now there was a man
in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous 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. And he came in 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, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now you
are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes
have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel” (Luke 2:25-32).
The Holy Spirit directed Luke to make a note
of the dedication of Jesus in the temple according to Jewish law. But as we
read this divinely inspired account, our Teacher directs our attention to
another character. Along with the privilege of witnessing the fulfillment of a
promise to a faithful old saint, we are granted a revelation of three truths
that show us how to wait for and catch glimpses of the Savior.
Simeon was waiting in holiness. Despite the
condition of the world around him, he continued to live a righteous, devout,
life. He kept himself set apart from the sin and temptation of the world and he
kept his eyes and heart firmly set on looking forward to Christ… “Behold,
this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the
LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation” (Isaiah
25:9). As he strove to live a holy life in an unholy world, Simeon’s
anticipation of the Christ’s appearance increased and his sensitivity to God’s
timing heightened, because he practiced the holiness that is a requirement for
seeing the Lord and His work… “Strive for peace with everyone, and for
the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). Jesus
taught that pursuing holiness wholeheartedly will result in the revelation of
God… “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew
5:8). Simeon’s diligent pursuit of holiness is an example worthy of
imitation by serious disciples waiting for the Lord in all times… “What
sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for
and hastening the coming of the day of God” (2 Peter 3:11-12). Like
Simeon, our diligent pursuit of holiness will result in precious glimpses of
the Savior.
Simeon was waiting in faith. He had received a
promise from the Lord and He clung to it. Despite passing years and deteriorating
health he held onto the promise that He would see the Christ. His faith was in
the promise of God, not the appearance of his circumstances… “For we walk
by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). His faith is an excellent
illustration of God’s definition of faith… “Now faith is the assurance of
things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Simeon’s
unwavering faith is an example worthy of imitation by diligent disciples everywhere…
“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as
it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith’” (Romans 1:17). Like
Simeon, our unwavering faith will result in promised glimpses of the Savior.
Simeon was waiting in obedience. When the
Spirit said come to the temple, He obeyed. His obedience to the leading of the
Holy Spirit is reminiscent of Israel’s obedience to the Lord’s leading in the
desert… “Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up
from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. But if the cloud
was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up” (Exodus
40:36-37). His obedience is a reflection of the Lord’s submission to the leading
of the Holy Spirit… “And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from
the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness” (Luke 4:1).
Simeon’s consistent obedience to the Holy Spirit is an example worthy of
imitation by earnest disciples in every age… “But when the Helper comes,
whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from
the Father, he will bear witness about me” (John 15:26). Like Simeon, our
consistent obedience to the Holy Spirit will result in more pointed glimpses
of the Savior.
As we grow up into Christ we get to
know Him better as we eagerly seek bigger and better…
Glimpses of the Savior.
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