Luke 2:25 “And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Sime-on; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.”
Consolation and Comfort
We are living in a violent world over which we have little control. Everyone is keenly aware that something is dreadfully wrong, and they cannot do anything about it. Our President, speaking to the families of the Newtown tragedy, said, “Mere words cannot match the depths of your sorrow.” People need comfort, but even the best words, compassion, and resources we can give at some point fall short. Our capacity for peace and comfort is limited.
This is not the first time people have been in this situation. In Luke chapter 2, Israelites were living in a violent Roman world over which they had no control. The best representative they had was Herod, a barbarous traitor and a wicked governor. However, in Luke 2 we find comfort that is still available today.
Simeon was a man of both patience and faith. He was “waiting for the consolation of Israel.” The word consolation means “peace; comfort.” In the darkest of days, Simeon was waiting for the peace and comfort of Israel that God promised. That peace and comfort was and is a Person—God Incarnate, Jesus Christ. He was waiting for the Consolation!
Peace and comfort came in a Person—the Christ Child—and it can come no other way. No speech, no grant, no comforting touch can ever bring true peace. The Consolation that Simeon looked forward to with patience and faith is the same Consolation that we are waiting for and looking for today. He has come; He will come.
Did you notice a second reference to Deity in Luke 2:25? God the Holy Spirit, the Comforter (John 14), was upon Simeon while he waited for God the Son, the Consolation. Christ spoke of the Holy Spirit in John 14:16 and said, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.”
God sent forth His Son to save me, and God sent forth His Spirit because He has saved me. Any comfort you can give to people is embodied in a Person.
I am thankful for officials, leaders, and fellow citizens who give kind words and give of themselves to do what they can. Yet the President was correct when he said that our words cannot match the grief people feel.
But there is hope and peace greater than grief. There is a God greater than evil. There is a Son who has come, and there is a Spirit who remains with God’s people. God sent His Son, but God left His Spirit.
Like Simeon, we can look forward to the comfort that will come when Jesus Christ comes again. But don’t wait for His coming without taking action, enabled by the Comforter that you have right now. His comfort is enough to overflow you and spill over to the people who will need it during this Christmas season.