The Holy Spirit was upon Simeon. There had been no Pentecost. This was just a man who was righteous and devoted to God. God gives His people over to their desires. Desire Him, choose Him, seek Him. You’ll get Him.

Simeon knew the word of the Lord. There had been hundreds of years of silence from the prophets, but God still had His prophets; they were just in secret. They were in intimate relationship with the Lord. They knew His voice in the secret place but weren’t sent out to proclaim it.

Simeon was waiting for Israel to be comforted. He was waiting for the Christ, the One anointed to redeem Israel from all their sins.

Simeon looks at Jesus and says that he has seen the Lord’s salvation. To look at Jesus is to see salvation. “Look to Me and be saved.” He is your salvation. Don’t look elsewhere.

Simeon even speaks of a light to the Gentiles, but it would take a lot more for the Jewish believers to understand that salvation in Jesus was for everyone.

Mary is told some interesting things about Jesus. She’s not told that He was going to take away sins or reign forever as king. She is told that He will be a sign that is opposed so that the thoughts of hearts are revealed.

Who opposed Jesus and had their hearts exposed? The religious leaders.

Do we know if Anna ever saw Jesus or spoke with Mary? It just says (in the ESV), “And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.”

She was in the right place at the right time saying the right thing. I don’t know if she knew it! If we have given our lives over to God and live by the Spirit, then we don’t always know when He’s using us. Even when it’s obvious we’re being used, we still don’t necessarily understand how. We think we’re teaching some truth, but it’s some little thing we say, that to us was a little unimportant remark, that is what pierces a heart.

Jesus grew, as we should, becoming strong and filled with wisdom. We don’t get strength and wisdom. We get Jesus. He is our strength and wisdom. Never forget that! He is all things for us. (Check out 1 Corinthians 1:30.)