#1419. Luke 2:21-35 - Simeon is moved by the Spirit (30/12/25)
- Matt Beaney
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional as we continue our Christmas series.
From Luke 2:21-35, let’s see how the Holy Spirit fills God’s people with patience, faith and worship.
To watch this devotional, please select the link below:
1. Jesus is circumcised, named and consecrated
‘On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: ‘a pair of doves or two young pigeons.’’ (Luke 2:21-24)
Joseph and Mary respond in obedience:
They name Him Jesus, just as God commanded through the angel.
They obey the Law and present Him to the Lord.
Here is a profound mystery: He who wrote the Law places Himself under the Law. God is not above His own truth. Christ humbles Himself from His first days so that He may fulfil all righteousness for us.
And at the temple, God arranges a divine appointment with a man called Simeon.
2. Jesus is the consolation of Israel
Our reading continues:
‘Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying…’ (Luke 2:25-28)
Simeon is described as righteous, devout, and Spirit-filled. He’s waiting for ‘the consolation of Israel’ - the comfort, deliverance, and encouragement that the Messiah would bring.
The word ‘consolation’ - paraklēsis - speaks of comfort and calling alongside. Simeon is waiting with hope and expectation because the Holy Spirit has assured him of God’s promise.
His waiting is not passive - it's Spirit-inspired expectancy.
3. Jesus is Saviour of all nations
Our reading continues:
“…Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32)
Like Mary, Elizabeth, and Zechariah in Luke 1, Simeon is inspired by the Spirit to prophesy.
He declares Jesus to be:
God’s salvation,
Prepared openly “in the sight of all nations,”
A light to the Gentiles,
And glory for Israel.
Luke highlights God’s heart for His people and for the outsider - the bring them in and bring them together in Christ. The Christmas story is good news for all people!
4. A sword will pierce your soul
Our reading concludes:
‘The child’s father and mother marvelled at what was said about him. 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 2:33-35)
The Spirit inspires Simeon to speak both comfort and sorrow.
Jesus will divide - some will rise by faith; others will fall through rejection.
Mary will know deep grief, especially at the cross where Jesus dies for sinful humanity. God’s plans often include pain, even for those closest to Him. Yet the same Spirit who warned Mary is the Spirit who sustained her.
The Holy Spirit’s ministry is not only to reveal Christ, but also to comfort us in suffering
Response
Simeon waited faithfully for God’s promise, strengthened by the Spirit’s presence. His life teaches us:
To trust God’s timing even when waiting is long,
To allow the Spirit to inspire us and shape us into worshippers,
To look to Jesus for comfort when our hearts feel pierced.
The Holy Spirit wants to bring revelation to our hearts so that we also may say with Simeon:
‘“my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
May we wait, trust, worship, and walk in the Spirit as Simeon did.
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