Holy Splinters!
This article is based on Luke 2:21-40, and it is suggested you read the passage before commencing.
In Luke Chapter 2 vs 21-40 we read about how Jesus is presented in the temple in accordance with Jewish law. Luke records two people’s responses to Jesus in the temple and in this article we will look at them in turn and see what we can learn from their responses. Their names are Simeon and Anna.
Simeon was a just and devout man who had been waiting faithfully for the promised help for Israel (vs25). The passage says that the Holy Spirit was upon him – he was obviously a man of great faith. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would see Christ before he died (v26). When the time was right he was prompted by the Spirit to go to the temple. There he met the baby Jesus with Mary and Joseph (v27). In this meeting in the temple God had kept his promise. How did Simeon respond to this?
The first thing Simeon did was to praise God (v28). This is something which undoubtedly should form an important part of our response to Jesus.
The words which Simeon addressed Mary and Joseph with, are perhaps unusually sombre for an otherwise joyous occasion. He explained that the baby in front of them was to grow up to carry a great responsibility. He was destined to cause the rise and fall of many, and would be a sign (v34). Simeon prophesied that Jesus would provoke many people to reveal what was really in their minds, their true selves. His person would prompt real honesty (v35). It is clear from Simeon’s reaction that that this is not just a lovely story about a baby, but a story about the birth of someone who would challenge the souls of every human being. When we hear the story of Jesus birth we too need to take time to think about the serious side and see how Jesus challenges our souls.
Conversely we can also learn from what Simeon did not do. The passage gives us no indication that Simeon was in doubt of who the baby was, he knew that this was the promised Christ. There was no expression of shock that this tiny baby was the promised help for Israel. Instead there was quiet acceptance of the situation, for which he gave thanks. How could Simeon be so sure, and know with certainty in his heart who this child was? It must have been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit. Not only had he been brought to the temple by the Spirit, he had also been given intuitive knowledge. From this we can see that the Holy Spirit plays an important part in our response to Jesus. Just as the Spirit prompted Simeon to respond with conviction, so must we allow our selves to acknowledge the truth revealed to us by the Spirit.
After detailing Simeon’s reaction, Luke goes on to explain Anna’s response. Like Simeon, Anna was in no doubt as to the baby’s true identity. She instinctively knew that He was the long-awaited Messiah. This knowledge could only have come through the Holy Spirit. In the same way, the true identity of Jesus is revealed to us by the work of the Holy Spirit. Anna’s first reaction was also to praise God for Jesus. However instead of proceeding to prophesy, she immediately went out to tell other seekers the good news that their Messiah had come (v38). She could not stop telling people what she had witnessed. Many people’s instinctive response to Jesus today is also to evangelise, to tell people the Good News. Again this is a spirit led thing, the spirit leads us all in to evangelising in different ways. For some it becomes their life’s work, while others may share the good news with only one close friend.
The passage tells us that Anna and Simeon were both “Godly people”. Simeon was a righteous and prayerful man (v25), and Anna, having come from a religious family, was, herself, faithful to God and lived her life for Him, always fasting and praying in the temple (v37). Had they not been walking so closely with God, perhaps it would not have been so clear to them who Jesus was. The more we learn about God through prayer and reading the bible, the more Spirit-led our response to Jesus will become.
In conclusion it is clear from this passage that the Holy Spirit has a really important role to play in shaping our reaction to Jesus. The Holy Spirit reveals to us the knowledge of who Jesus is, prompts us to acknowledge Him, and leads us into responding to Him. For each of us it is a personal response. Simeon was led to thank God and to prophesy about Jesus. Anna was led to tell people about Him, to evangelise. For some people their reaction to Christ is intensely private, and for others it is something to shout about from the rooftops. But we should also remember that for some the response is one of rejection of Christ. As Simeon prophesied, Jesus’ true identity necessitates a choice from us. We can either speak out for Him (v38) or speak against Him (v35). However you decide to live your life, one thing is clear – as far as Jesus Christ is concerned, holy splinters are no longer an option; there can not be anymore sitting on the proverbial fence!
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