When Jesus was born, it was a non-event to most Jews.  That is why the shepherds needed angelic instructions, and wise men were given a star, to find the Saviour and be external witnesses of the incarnation.  But not everybody was spiritually asleep.  Simeon was an old man but had been ‘on watch’ for a long time to see the Saviour come.  His heart was zealous to keep the law.  But instead of being hard-hearted like many religious people, Simeon had a soft heart.  He expected God to lead him to see the Messiah, God’s Saviour.  He was in God’s hands and the Holy Spirit was in his heart.  So Simeon was listening out for what the Holy Spirit would say.

Simeon was anticipating the ‘consolation’ of Israel. From Isaiah 40:1-5, the Jews rightly believed that God would comfort and console His struggling people by coming in person to rescue them.  The Greek word used here (parakletos) is translated as 'consolation'.  It means, 'a person who comes alongside'.  Jesus uses the same word to describe the Holy Spirit.  For example, in John 14:26, 'parakletos' is variously translated as Comforter in the KJV, or Counsellor in the NIV(84) or Advocate in the NIVUK.  John also uses the word to describe Jesus as our legal advocate in the court of heaven (1 John 2:1).   So, Simeon was expecting God to come in person, to be alongside us and in us (John 14:16-18), pleading our case with the Father to rescue us from His wrath (Romans 8:34). And that is exactly what Jesus came to do.

The relationship between Simeon and the Holy Spirit is worth noting.  A person, who accepts the privilege of the Spirit's presence, can wait in quiet confidence while eager in expectation (Galatians 5:5).  Simeon did not know when he would see the Lord, but he was confident that he would before he died.  The Spirit had settled his mind about that.  The actual meeting was also arranged by the Holy Spirit.  He gave Simeon the idea of going to a particular part of the temple at just the right time to recognise and meet Jesus.  These verses discount any idea of accidental encounter or coincidence of timing.  The Holy Spirit sustained Simeon in waiting for the Messiah, set up the rendezvous and energised him to meet the appointment.  As we shall see, Simeon’s prophetic affirmation of the ministry of Christ would help to sustain Joseph, and encourage Mary, even in her darkest days (Luke 2:29-35).  

The Holy Spirit is still active today, still bringing glory to Jesus (John 16:14).  He speaks through the Bible which He has inspired (2 Peter 1:20-21), and communicates clearly to the people He has brought to new life.  Without His convicting, we cannot come to repentance; without His enlivening, we cannot be born again; without His stirring in our hearts, we cannot desire to be holy; without His action, we cannot be sanctified.  Wise Christians will not presume 100% holiness and therefore spiritualise every personal impulse as being from the Sprit, but neither will they quench the Spirit by ignoring His Word, wisdom and guidance.  Unlike the special anointing of the Holy Spirit on the Old Testament prophets (and Simeon was one of the last), the Spirit is now with all those who have received Christ Jesus as Lord.  Let us therefore welcome His presence refilling us by walking in step with Him at work each day (Galatians 5:25).  He will use you, if you are ready to be involved.