Luke 2:22-33 - The Holy Spirit's Leading

Introduction:

We often hear and read of the Bible speaking and mentioning the Holy Spirit. The third person of the Trinity

And in the Gospel of Luke we have seen the Holy Spirit at work in peoples lives such as:

John the Baptist - being told “he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb...”

Mary - conceiving Jesus in her womb by the power of the Holy Spirit

Elizabeth - Luke 1:41 “And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,”

Mary’s Magnificent

and Zechariah’s prophecy - Luke 1:67 “And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,”

So it’s very clear although Jesus is still a baby, we evidently see the working of the Holy Spirit in the Gospel of Luke:

So what will we learn from this text this morning?

We will learn that the Holy Spirit not only fills us as Christians; but He leads us into everlasting life; as we behold Christ and the Peace, consolation, and salvation He offers this morning.

So it’s important for us to see the Holy Spirit, He is at work in the righteous; right now.

Our Text this morning is Luke 2:22-32

Please stand for the reading of God’s Word

Luke 2:22–32 ESV

And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

Pray

Background of Text:

Last Sunday we read of how the Shepherds were met by the angle’s and the glory of the Lord in the face of Jesus Christ was revealed to them.

So now starting in verse 22 in the section of Luke titled, “Jesus Presented at the Temple”

Luke 2:21 “And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.”

This Presentation at the temple and purification would of occurred 33 days after Jesus circumcision

Circumcised that way he would show to be apart of God’s covenantal people, and it was according to the Law

Luke 2:22 “And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord”

So why would Jesus the Son of God need to do such things? (both be purified and presented)

Surly it’s clear to Jospeh and Mary right that Jesus is Set apart; and No ordinary child right?

Yes, while Jesus is the Son of God, born into the world so we see for Him there was no special treatment; there was no partially shown to him; as we know he was born in a trough that was used to feed horses out of (many of us can’t say the same)

See we notice this “time came for purification and presentation” and it must be done according to the Law of Moses

Jesus, we know never sinned and or disobeyed the Fathers commands or Law; “therefore the Law of Moses must be fulfilled in HIs life to then therefore be something that he obeyed” - therefore fulfilling all the Law so He at the end of his life would be truly the perfect Savior.

So yes we read of God’s sovereignty and providence over His Son’s life even as a new born, even in the tiny details

So why the time for purification?

The new Mother, (Mary) would enter the temple to purify herself and her family; “their purification”

From the impure postnatal bleeding and the contact family must have had with her

We read of this in Leviticus chapter 12: - If you want to look at it more...

The idea of purification; is if you a women of God, have just brought a sinner into the world; so your body and your family needs purification

But we know Jesus the one who knew no sin, who was born of the Holy Spirit (righteous) had absolutely no need for purification

But according to the Law of Moses this must be done, this “purification and presenting.”

When it speaks of “according to the Law of Moses…”

Meaning God’s OT revelation

“they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it written in the Law of the Lord) Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord,

It was said in the “Law of the Lord” - the Scriptures,

So their was a moment that Jesus would officially be presented; and or dedicated to the Lord as Mary and Joseph’s Firstborn Son.

As it would of been for all Jewish babies born in this time.

Exodus 13:11-16 ““When the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to you and your fathers, and shall give it to you, you shall set apart to the Lord all that first opens the womb.

And in the presenting of Jesus to the Father, so something was needed “and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

When someone was offering something to God, so it was a serious matter, and it was at a cost in this case to Jospeh and Mary

So in this time Mary and Joseph didn’t have enough money for a Lamb, (which was originally used)

But the law made a provision that birds such as these two types could be used when a newborn was presented to the Lord in the Temple

The law made a provision that the lamb would be spared; because it wasn’t yet time for the lamb to be slain

Now our text takes a turn a bit; as we have learned what Joseph, Mary and Jesus are coming to Jerusalem to do (purification and presentation)

So they do not know whom they are about to meet...

Luke 2:25 “Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.”

“Jerusalem” - the same place they were headed; from Bethlehem

And introduce Simeon - a man whom we can see has been labeled with the same language such a Zechariah and Elizabeth in…

Luke 1:6 “And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.”

Righteous - meaning innocent

Devout - meaning God fearing (exhibiting careful religious practice and proper care towards God and His commands)

In other words he took God’s promises seriously!

Simeon’s name actually meaning - obedience

So what was Simeon, this man in Jerusalem waiting on?

“…for the consolation of Israel…”

Consolation - Comforted, and why would Israel need this comforting?

Israel, God’s people had been in this time waiting; to hear from God

Remember God was silent for 400 years, but a light had began to shine in the darkness for the world.

OT Passages speaking of the consultation to come:

See Simeon knew consolation would come at some time, Simeon was a man of the Scriptures

See a righteous, devout, obedient and discerning man; is not a man who is not in the Word, but a man who can’t help but be in the Word.

We can see these verse’s of consolation spoken of in the book of Isaiah, the prophet:

Isa 40:1 “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.”

Isa 49:13 “Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted.”

So Simeon is waiting on the comfort to come for Israel God’s people (who had been waiting for a long time for this comfort)

And what else does it say about Simeon?

He was not only waiting for the consolation, or comfort but…

“…the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him…. by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before had seen the Lord’s Christ.”

Today as we see the Holy Spirit was ‘Upon him”

Today can we be reminded that the Holy Spirit lives in us Christians, we are not apart of weak Kingdom; but the most powerful Kingdom to ever life.

Romans 8:11 “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”

And the Holy Spirit had “revealed” something to him.

This word “revealed ” to him… - meaning in the greek divine oracle or command

And so we have Simeon, righteous, devout and waiting to be comforted; and the Holy Spirit is upon him and the Holy Spirit is now revealing something to Him.

Has the Holy Spirit ever Divinely, revealed to you something From God’s revealed Word *the Bible lately?

For me this morning it was the promise to not worry about tomorrow.

Well Shaun that isn’t divine? (it is when I wasn’t expecting it in a message from one of my brothers in Christ, KC)

Luke 2:26 “And it had been revealed to him…by the Holy Spirt that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” (This was extremely specific and this righteous man Simeon was sure of it) - A man full of faith...

“that he would not see” - meaning to cause to happen or to perceive by sight....”not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ”

We read of the Holy Spirit, having revealed to Simeon, who actually may be elderly. That before he dies, or “sees death” He first before death on earth will see...

“see the Lord’s Christ”

Remember how we talked of this consolation; that which he was waiting on; that comfort?

Well it seems the Holy Spirit is leading Him to the one who is peace!

Luke 2:14 ““Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!””

And so in verse 27 we will see Simeon doesn’t stay put in the location he is at, but he was led by the Holy Spirit “to the temple”

Let me talk really fast about moments where we are led by the Holy Spirit:

When we went to east Asia, London and Ghana on Mission Trips

These trips were all full of the working and power and leading of the Holy Spirit

Especially East Asia...

You see I praise God for in my Christian walk is to see the power of the Holy Spirit demonstrated in moments in college when my new faith in Christ; met obedience to whatever the Lord was calling me to do in His timing, and by his leading.

and Simeon is going as we can see it says…

Luke 2:27 “And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law,”

So in our timeline of our text (knowing Luke is the orderly account)

Jospeh, Mary and Jesus are on their way to Jerusalem to the temple as well

And Jesus enters the temple with his parents; and there is Simeon who’s location has moved, He being led by the Holy Spirit

And as we said Jesus never broke the law, so that He could fulfill the law even as a baby “to do for him According to the custom of the law”

Luke 2:28 “he (Simeon) took him (Jesus) up in his arms and blessed God and said...”

How many newborns might of been coming into the temple at this time?

But we can see Simeon knows Jesus when he sees him, no name-tag on Jesus but the Holy Spirit’s leading.

“See the Holy Spirit always, leads us to the Word who is Christ, who was sent from God the Father. And let it said there is no disconnect, miss communication or confusion between the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit (The Trinity is perfect such as Christ is perfect.”

And so of course the Holy Spirit is rightfully leading Simeon to what? What did Simeon do?

“Took up” - in the greek meaning to receive welcome or accept Christ Jesus into His arms

As God’s Word says:

Salvation belongs to the Lord; And let it be said Salvation is a gift from the Lord, and the Lord is to be praised now and forever.

This morning have you started to hear in our text the Lord offer this gift of peace, salvation and eternal, life but you have not “accepted” Christ as Lord and Savior?

Ask yourself this morning does your soul bless God such as Simeon?

Does all that is within you bless His Holy Name?

If not you may not be saved!

Yes so in knowing God’s promises; So Simeon blessed God for sending Christ Jesus, His one and only Son to this earth that we might have peace now, By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

This same Holy Spirit that we read of now “upon” and leading Simeon, is the same Holy Spirit who can live in us today by faith in Christ.

Luke 2:29 ““Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;”

What the Holy Spirit revealed to him was Christ who is the Word

This shows us according to God’s Word, through His revealed will who is Christ who is our future hope, life, peace and salvation.

See as Simeon mentions death so we know death is unavoidable; unless Jesus takes us up into heaven on a chariots of fire as he did Elihah (which is highly unlikely)

But we see something; now he is ready to go.

Where is he ready to go? - To go in peace to be with the Lord

“you are letting depart” - meaning in greek set free, forgive, dismiss (sin)

Hear me out, you do not want to depart this earth “to see death” without first seeing Christ who has forgiven us of all our sins.

HOW GOSPEL!

Jesus the lamb who was slain; who was peace took on our sin and shame that we can be forgiven if we trust in HIs name.

Luke 2:30-32 “for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.””

What does he say the Lord’s Christ is? That’s right “salvation” - saving

As Mary and Jospeh are present in this moment as their baby boy Jesus was just embraced by Simeon

So what was going On? The Holy Spirit in Simeon was now confirming yet again and even further that He Jesus this baby is the salvation and comfort the people of God had been awaiting.

and not only that but this “salvation” is not only for Jews the Israelites; but “a revelation to the gentiles…”

What does this mean?

Salvation wasn’t just promised to the Israelites alone; but no, Simeon speaks as He is filled with the Holy Spirit

The Lord’s Christ is salvation to both the Jew And Gentile

Isa 52:9-10 “Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.”

Luke 2:33 “And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.”

Points: So as we spoke at the beginning about the Holy Spirit, not only does He fill us, but leads us.

1. Simeon knew God’s Word and promises; were true, and he looked forward to them being fulfilled!

An encouragement for us today or maybe more of a conviction.

How well do we know the promises in the Scriptures?

Today in our culture and time their should be absolutely no reason, nor excuses as to why we are not daily storing up the Word of God in our hearts… I can tell us why though, we are a distracted, lazy and a deeply comfortable people

And to be truthful; if we would continue to read the Bible I feel it calls for more surrender; maybe we don’t want to know more because we don’t want give more of our life to Christ, because we know what it would truly cost us.

Simeon righteous and devout knew God’s Word and His promises and believed them as Truth.

Do we have the same longing to know God’s Word and promises are true?

Are we in the Word?

And do we look forward to them being fulfilled?

See Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon the Word who is Christ the Lord, who is true!

2. Simeon was led by the Holy Spirit; He was obedient to the Holy Spirits leading and the Word of God

Where is the place in Scripture you are right now and how is that text or verse stirring the Holy Spirit in you to be obedient to the Bible?

It the Holy Spirit is leading you to do something; make sure it can be found in the Scriptures (God does nothing that would contradict His revealed will in Christ)

If the Holy Spirit is leading you to do something; then be obedient to carry it out, if it does not contradict the Bible and the promises in it.

The Story of the Holy Spirits leading me to this pastoral position; and my obedience to turn around on

So Simeon was led by the Holy Spirit; and Obedient to His leading by the promises through the Scriptures

3. As we all one day will see death: so the most important thing from this text is Simeon, knew, believed, and received Christ as Lord and Savior.

If you are not a a Christian:

My plea to you is repent, and receive the free gift that is Christ Jesus our Lord

Receive Christ

Be filled with The Holy Spirit

And walk in His leading

Because if you lead yourself; you will lead yourself right to hell.

If you let Jesus be the leader of your life; being filled with the Holy Spirit He will lead you to eternal life.

When we receive Christ, who is a gift for all of those who believe, for us Christians filled with the Holy Spirit; held together by the words of the Lord

Then we shout and praise God for giving us new life in Christ!

The Holy Spirit as our inheritance; as our consolation or comfort in this life; and until we meet Jesus in the air, or see death.

Last Night my heart was heavy:

I felt led by the Holy Spirit to open my Bible app and read this...

1 Cor 15:54-57 “When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

As we see death on this earth; death is only a door way to victory and seeing Christ our comfort, and being with Him forever.

The song we sang at the beginning and the song we will sing at the end:

Speaks:

“God is faithful to His promise, God is faithful to His own. We have known your mercy and as your love as in the past, If days be few or many you will guide us to the last….”

Christ not ony fills us, and leads us here, but He will lead us into everlasting life as we are His children with His Holy Spirit

John 10:28-30 “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.””

1 Peter 5:10 “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

So what we learned from our text this morning is that the Holy Spirit not only fills us, but he leads us into everlasting life as a Holy Spirit is our comfort and inheritance into the kingdom.

We pray let your Kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven...

I would go onto say it starts with our obedience to God’s Word and our willingness to be led by the Holy Spirit to be on mission to share Christ’s love.

How are you letting the Holy Spirit lead you; to these moments in time that bring a ultimate peace and consolation over your life? - These moments we are obedient to God’s Word and the Holy Spirit; only to be met by the evidence of God’s providence and planning; that Christ might be yet exalted in your life and others.

That they might see that Christ is Peace, Comfort, leader and a Savior for sinners.

Be Led, be willing, be obedient; and walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Galatians 5:16 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”