Spiritual Insight
“The child's father and mother marveled 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 (NIV)
Simeon is one of the lesser-known characters in the Christmas story, yet he experienced God in a profound way. Not only had God revealed to Simeon that he would not die until He had seen the Messiah, but He gave Simeon spiritual insight into the destiny of this baby, Jesus, that marveled His parents, Mary and Joseph, when they took Jesus to the Temple! Luke records what happened in Luke 2:28-35 (NLT), “Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, ‘Sovereign Lord, now let Your servant die in peace, as You have promised. I have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and He is the glory of Your people Israel!’ Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, ‘This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but He will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose Him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.’”
I’ve often wondered if Simeon’s words echoed in the heart of Mary as she wept at the cross. Little did she understand then, at His birth, how painfully the sword would pierce her heart in the years to come. How did Simeon have such spiritual insight? He wasn’t a prophet or a priest. Luke tells us in verse 25 that he was a righteous and devout man. One translation says, “… a man who lived in the prayerful expectancy of help for Israel. And the Holy Spirit was on him.” (MSG) That is the key to spiritual insight. If we are to understand the will and purposes of God, we must be people of prayer filled with the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:10-12 (NIV) tells us, “The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.”
As Simeon prayed in faith believing God to send deliverance for Israel, the Holy Spirit began to reveal the plan and purposes of God in the Savior who was to come. Simeon’s prophecy about Jesus was remarkable! As Mary and Joseph watched Jesus grow up, how often must they have reflected on what Simeon told them? He would cause the falling and rising of many in Israel. He would be a sign that would be spoken against. The thoughts of many hearts would be revealed by Jesus. As your read the Gospels you find every one of these predictions fulfilled in the ministry of Christ. Just as the Holy Spirit came upon Simeon, so He lives in the hearts of every true follower of Christ. In addition, we have God’s Word revealed to us in the Bible. Only through prayer may we hear what He has to reveal to us in His Word today and gain spiritual insight for the times in which we live.
Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.
Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.