Behold - A Wait - Week 3

Luke 2:25-32, 46-48

 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. 26 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. 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, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 

V.25-Simeon 

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.

Righteous

Devout

(v.37) 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day

Filled with the Holy Spirit. 

V.25b- “He was waiting for the consolation of Israel”

and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 

1) Waiting is active not passive. 

“The secret of waiting is the faith that the seed has been planted, that something has. begun. Active waiting means to be present fully to the moment, in the conviction that something is happening where you are and that you want to be present to it.” Nouwen

Where was the hope in the waiting?

V.26 “It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit..”

26 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. 

2) A biblical wait is not on something, it's in something. 

Philippians 4:19

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

How to wait

1) Seek the Lord before everything . 

Isaiah 31:1

“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the LORD!”

2) Wait in community. 

Luke 2:38

“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.”

Hebrews 10:25

“not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Small Group Questions

What are you currently ‘waiting’ on God to do in your life?

What are some frustrations you are having with your wait?

What does it look like for you to be ‘active’ in your wait moving forward?