"And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him." Luke 2:25
Very few men in the Bible have been so closely identified with the Holy Spirit as Simeon. Luke's account clearly reveals Simeon to have, "The Holy Spirit upon him." His availability to the still, small voice of the Spirit was so intimate that, "it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ."
As a result, Simeon's life was filled with expectancy, and overflowed with hope. What was the sign of his intimacy with the Spirit? Simeon walked with God seven days a week. He not only went to the temple to serve and to worship, Simeon "came in the Spirit into the temple." Simeon's character and conduct remain a praying pastor's fondest dream, men of the church filled with the Spirit before they arrive at church.
Simeon was "righteous and devout." He carefully and cautiously conducted his life in accordance with the Word of God, and made himself available to be used by God. At his advanced age, Simeon could have been excused from the demands of service. Rather than retire, Simeon was re-FIRED by his intimacy with the Spirit.
Simeon woke up every day "looking for the consolation of Israel." He was looking for Jesus and he found Him in a place of active service. Those who seek the isolation of inactive service will never find the consolation of a Savior who calls us to active service until He calls us home. There is no comfort of The Spirit to be found in some isolated, self-serving form of Christianity.
"We must not be content to be cleansed but to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The word 'Comforter' as applied to the Holy Spirit needs to be translated by some vigorous term. Literally it means 'with strength.' Jesus promised His followers 'The Strengthener' would be with them. No lullaby for the faint-hearted, it is a blood transfusion for courageous living.' E.Paul Hovey
Throughout the day, every day Simeon's eyes were focused on the coming of The Savior. No wonder God granted him the honor of holding His Son in his hands.
The junction between Mary, Joseph and Simon was a holy place because Jesus was present. Still, each of them had to be in the right place at the right time to be a part of what God was doing. This meant eight days after the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph traveled uphill, six miles from Bethlehem to Jerusalem to be in strict obedience to The Word of God. Mary could testify that the long road of obedience is rarely convenient, often uncomfortable, and always uphill.
It is likely that Simeon's faithful service had gone unnoticed for years, by those in authority. Faithful service often is, but it is always noticed and accepted by God. In Simeon's case, it would also be honored by Him. Simeon's life of obedience was not a short cut to the blessing of God. It is a close walk down a long road with The Spirit of God. Simeon was nearing the finish line, but God wasn't finished with him yet. He never is
My father, Don Miller, died at 93, faithful to the end. He would often say, "The best is yet to come." My oldest brother, Roger, was with Dad in his hospice room the night he reached the finish line. Early in the morning, just before dawn, Dad was restless, and trying to get out of bed. Roger asked, "Dad, where are you going?" Dad responded, "Almost to Glory." Those were his last words. Dad finished strong, reaching out to the threshold of Heaven. Follow his lead.
As Jesus was placed into Simeon's hands, God released His unction upon Simeon. The unction junction is where expectant faith and continuous obedience meet. Mary and Joseph were in Jerusalem as an expression of obedience to God's Word. Simeon was in the right place at the right time because he was being led by the Spirit of God. Follow their lead.
NOTE TO SELF: Simeon kept his heart filled with hope and his eyes focused on "The consolation of Israel." The Consolation is Jesus. When treated as a worthless consolation prize, His name becomes a stumbling block. To those who receive Jesus as The Gift of God, He becomes The Rock of Salvation. God isn't finished with you yet. Tell people about Jesus.
TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!