Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." (Luke 2:34-35)
Over the past four Sundays, we at Bronx Bethany have been reflecting on the role of the Holy Spirit in the Advent narrative. The first two Sundays were reflections on the solemnity of Advent, represented in the themes of preparation (in the life of John the Baptist) and yearning (in the life of Zechariah). On the third Sunday we focused on joy, and in particular we considered the presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Mary and Elizabeth.
Yesterday, Pastor Sam's Advent focus was on hope. The Holy Spirit spoke to a man named Simeon and gave him an amazing promise: "It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ." (Luke 2:26)
Because the Spirit had spoken an amazing word to Simeon, Simeon was able to speak amazing words as well. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit Simeon said, "Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Your people Israel." (Luke 2:29-32)
Simeon did not have to see Jesus grow into adulthood. Regrettably, there are times when God gives His people a word and they refuse to receive it until they see "the end of the story." For Simeon, just one encounter with the infant Jesus was enough to assure him that God would do all He had promised to do-- for His beloved kingdom of Israel, and also for the Gentile nations of the world.
Simeon did not need to confer with Jesus's earthly parents. Had Simeon asked them, Mary and Joseph would have been able to share their own stories of having encountered God in profound ways. But Simeon did not need their stories; he had his own. As Pastor Sam shared, if we are hearing from God for ourselves, then there is no need for second-guessing ourselves nor questioning others.
Simeon did not hesitate to engage prophetic utterance. Through the influence of the Holy Spirit, Simeon was able to impart a specific prophetic word to Mary and Joseph concerning the life of their son. As part of their preparation for life as Jesus's earthly parents, Simeon gave a word of blessing to the couple and a word of warning to Mary (see Luke 2:34-35, located at the top of this post).
Our hope as believers is to see the manifestation of the kingdom of God in the earth. When we are submitted to the Holy Spirit, He then speaks to us concerning what is now and what is to come. He speaks specific words that impart to us what Pastor Sam called "Advent Hope": not a hope born of wishful thinking, but a hope undergirded by assurance and certainty.
Lord God, I have heard Your Spirit speak. I will wait, in hope, to see Your word fulfilled.
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