Welcome to the Come to Jesus Daily Devotional. This week, as we begin this New Year, let’s be inspired by the example of Simeon so that we can also learn to wait, listen and move in the power of the Holy Spirit.
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Today, we reflect on how those who are filled with the Spirit have a vision for all people to hear the gospel.
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‘Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”’ (Luke 2:25-32)
This week we’ve reflected on a number of attributes in this snapshot of Simeon. We’ve seen that because he is filled with the Holy Spirit, he is righteous, devout, waiting, listening and moving as the Spirit empowers and leads. Today, in this final refection on Simeon, I want us to see that those who are truly filled with the Holy Spirit will have vision for local and international mission. Anyone who is filled with the Spirit will have an ambition for all people and nations to know the gospel. of Simeon we are told:
‘Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”’
Jesus is described as ‘a light for revelation to the Gentiles’. Jesus’ will is to draw all kinds of people to Him for salvation. The Spirit wants to convince us of this. The success of mission, is, ultimately, dependent upon the power of God and our faith in the power of God. Like Simeon, the Spirit wants us to know Jesus, but also to know Him as a God who wants to save people from all nations. We live in a world of racial and ethnic tensions. However, for the Christian, we are to love people from all nations and desire that they come to know the gospel. The Kingdom of God, of which we are citizens, is made up from people from every nation, tribe and tongue. We are all to play our part in helping the light of Jesus, through our deeds and words, to shine on people from every nation.
Last Sunday, was what is traditionally called ’Twelfth Night’. "Twelfth Night" refers to the evening of the twelfth day of Christmas, traditionally celebrated as the end of the Christmas season. It occurs on January 5th, the eve of Epiphany (January 6th), which commemorates the visit of the Magi (Wise Men) to the infant Jesus. Epiphany celebrates the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi. The term "Epiphany" comes from the Greek word 'epiphaneia', meaning ‘appearance’ or ‘manifestation.’ Today, the Holy Spirit wants reveal again to us that He desires that all types of people, from all people groups, hear about Jesus. Those who are filled with the Spirit will have a vision for all people to hear the gospel. He wants us, like Simeon, to play our small part.
Let’s pray together
“Lord Jesus, your will is that your church goes and makes disciples of all nations. You have promised that when the Spirit comes, we will receive power and witness to you to the ends of the earth. Holy Spirit, fill me and your church afresh. Help me, like Simeon, to be led by you in playing my part in revealing you to others. Amen.”
Community Group Notes
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
On Sunday our message from Luke 2:25-32, was entitled, New Year Inspiration From Simeon. Here, we reflected on the work of the Holy Spirit in Simeon’s life and how we might seek to wait, listen and move in the power of the Spirit.
Please read Luke Luke 2:25-32 and discuss:
Did God speak to you about anything from Sunday’s message that would encourage others?
What are the various things that are said of the Spirit in this passage?
How would you like to follow the example of Simeon in this New Year?
SIV - What does this text tell us about Jesus’ mission, and how can we be involved?
SIV - Do we have any stories of how we have ‘Served, Invested, and inVited’ recently?
SIV - Spend some time together talking and praying about who and how you are seeking to bring your community to Jesus.
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