Luke 2:25-33
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
Simeon
Clarke’s Commentary says “Several learned men are of the opinion that he was son to the famous Hillel, one of the most celebrated doctors and philosophers which had ever appeared in the Jewish nation since the time of Moses. Simeon is supposed also to have been the Ab or president of the grand Sanhedrin.”
Simeon knew the prophecies fortelling the coming of the Messiah and believed them in his heart.
Simeon lived close enough to God to receive a special promise that he would see that prophecy fulfilled before he died.
Simeon waited.
We don’t know how long he waited.
We don’t know the doubts that filled his mind.
We don’t know the scoffing he received when he told others of God’s promise.
We don’t know the feeling to wake up each day with the thought ‘Is it today?’
Yet He Waited.
Then one day (I see him kneeling in morning prayer)
the Holy Ghost urges him to go to the temple.
Does he keep to his normal routine of morning chores, of business duites, of handling temple emergencies before he goes to the place of worship?
Does he let these things drown out the whispered,
“Come and see! Today is the day!”
No, He believed his waiting was over.
He went to the temple expecting to see
He went to the temple expecting to touch
He went to the temple with praise already in his heart
He went to the temple ready to voice thanks for the fulfillment of the promise.
How many times the whispered ‘Come to Me’ I hear,
Yet let all the other things come first before I go.
then I wonder when I arrive
I have little joy
I have many questions
I have doubts and fears
My faith seems so small
My pray falls flat
My thanks seems routine.
God is waiting now.
and I am waiting until later.
Really, why do I question?
Thoughts of Grace 