Tucked toward the end of the Christmas narratives is a pair of witnesses. While no couple in life Anna and Simeon surely knew a maturing, decades-old sort of esprit wherein had wafted Messiah-arrival hints. Each of these people are important witnesses to my faith, and at this Christmas season I find myself, again, looking in on Simeon.
25 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. 26 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. 27 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 (Luke 2:25-27–ESV)
I think that Simeon, like Anna, was on a gentle downslope of life. Like Mary, Joseph, Zechariah, and Elizabeth he was righteous and devout. Like Jesus he was born under law. Simeon’s godly lifestyle was carried out under the influence of the Holy Spirit, a holy influencer and God-timed revealer of things to the world.
I am fond of and strengthened by Luke’s incorporation of Simeon because this fellow opens insights to me. Simeon examples to me the routine involvement of God in human affairs. Simeon was an ordinary person, doing ordinary things, and extraordinarily God engaged with him. This seems more than a once-off, semi-transparent inkling, or a late-in-life hankering. As I read these revelations of Luke Simeon is one possessed of a life of godliness. The 25th verse writes to us of Simeon’s waiting. Like John the Baptist God had been closely connecting with Simeon.
So then came that 8th day of the baby Jesus. Simeon was probably out and about in Jerusalem. Into Simeon’s life-things came Holy Spirit-promptings and he met Jesus.
The result
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32--NIV)
Did Simeon wake on that 8th Jesus-day with such a premonition? The day the sun rose over a house in Bethlehem it rose over the temple, over Jerusalem, over Simeon’s abode. The knot of God’s purpose for Simeon was being pulled tight down near a happy conclusion, but the cock-crowing was not different. The days happenings were ready to event. Simeon’s Spirit given inklings wrapped toward that promised revelation.
As the knot pulled into its place over the package of Simeon’s life out came a this short prophecy. Promises, satisfaction, salvation, preparation, and world-wide inclusivity.
I am not sure how these things plop and fizz down in and among your mental inklings. For me, though, they are little validators, little bells and whistles coming off the scripture-ocean. Like that salty scent one catches on the way to the beach are things like this on my way to the Celestial City.