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. Luke 2:25-28
You could hardly miss the person and work of the Holy Spirit here. God orchestrated events so that Simeon arrived at the temple on the same day and at the same time as Mary and Joseph arrived with Jesus. They arrived at the temple, this center of religion, with all its priests and rituals, and no one else knows that the child in the arms of the young girl is the Son of God.
But there is a man in Jerusalem with the Spirit of God upon him, and God causes him to arrive at precisely the right time. And when Simeon arrives at the temple, the Holy Spirit prompts him: This is the One!
To everyone else in the temple, Mary was just another young mother with a baby. But the Holy Spirit opened Simeon’s eyes to see that Jesus was the Promised One in whom hope and comfort are found. He is the Christ. He is the consolation of Israel. This is a great work of the Holy Spirit. He brings people to Jesus. He opens people’s eyes to Jesus.
Reflect back on how the Holy Spirit has worked in your life to bring you to Jesus.
