Luke 2:25

Luke 2:25 says, And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.  There was a devout man named Simeon who was waiting on the consolation of Israel, or the coming Messiah.  He was just with others and devout to God, and the Holy Ghost was upon him..  We are waiting the return of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and must be just with others and devout to God, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse twenty-six adds, And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  The Holy Ghost had revealed to him that he would not die until he saw the Lord’s Christ, or the Messiah.  We need to pray that we don't die until we see and accept Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-seven states, And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,  Simeon was led by the Holy Spirit to the temple at the time Mary and Joseph came to dedicate Jesus.  When we come to church today, we should come under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse twenty-eight adds, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,  Verse twenty-nine continues, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: Simeon took Jesus in his arms, blessed God, and then asked that God let him depart in peace.  When we take Jesus into our arms we can live in peace from then on, if not with the world, at least with God.  Verse thirty says, For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,  Simeon said that he could depart in peace because he had seen God's salvation, Jesus Christ, the baby he held.   When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we have seen God's only salvation plan.  Verse thirty-one adds, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;  Simeon said God had prepared His salvation plan before all the people, and this has never changed.  When we hear the gospel, we have encountered God's salvation plan.  Verse thirty-two continues, A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.  Simeon said that Jesus had come to save both the Gentiles and the Jews, which would have included everyone from the Jewish perspective.  Jesus did not come to save just certain people, but to save any one who puts their faith in Him. Verse thirty-three states, And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.  Mary and Joseph marvelled at what Simeon said, though they had already been told Who Jesus was.  Verse thirty-four continues,  And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;  Simeon said that the child would be the fall and the rising of many.  We must fall to our own self pride and arise again by faith in Jesus Christ in order to be saved.  Verse thirty-five declares, (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.  Simeon blessed them but also warned them of the coming suffering of Jesus.  It is because of His suffering that we are set free from suffering spiritually if we put our faith in Jesus Christ.  He will always indeed reveal the thoughts of every heart.  Verse thirty-five states,  And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;  There was also a widow there at the temple.  Verse thirty-seven adds, And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.  She was said to be a prophetess, who had been a widow eighty-four years, and who was devoted to serving God in the temple.  After we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we should dedicate the rest of our life to serving Him.  Verse thirty-eight continues, And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.  Anna recognized Who Jesus was, gave thanks to God, and then spoke to all those around her about Him.  We must first recognize who Jesus is, accept Him as our Savior and Lord, and then tell all those around us about Him, no matter how old we may be.