Week of Monday June 30 – July 6
Finding Freedom – Man as Chaplain
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.” - Luke 2:25-32 ESV
In the momentous year of 1776, Founder John Adams observed:
You and I, my dear Friend, have been sent into life, at a time when the greatest law-givers of antiquity would have wished to have lived. How few of the human race have ever enjoyed an opportunity of making an election of government more than of air, soil, or climate, for themselves or their children. When! Before the present epocha, had three millions of people full power and a fair opportunity to form and establish the wisest and happiest government that human wisdom can contrive?
In Luke’s Gospel, we encounter an even greater providential moment, one like none other in history. God’s people were facing two kinds of bondage: the tyranny of their Roman occupiers and legalistic ritualism. An elderly man named Simeon, guided by the Holy Spirit, sensed that God was about to do something seismic that would affect the future of His people and the world. When the Christ-child was brought to the temple, no one except the Spirit-led Simeon and the prophetess Anna recognized that this child was the one who would fulfill the Scriptures and bring the long-awaited true freedom to both Jews and Gentiles.
As chaplains and spiritual leaders, we can learn valuable lessons from Simeon. First, like Simeon, who was described as “righteous and devout,” we should seek to live lives that are clean and close to the Lord. Second, just as God guided Simeon to Jesus, we can trust God to lead us to the right places at the right times. Third, like Simeon recognized Jesus, we need to rely on the Holy Spirit to help us notice what others may overlook. Fourth, we should follow Simeon’s example by publicly praising God and sharing the Good News about Jesus.
In a world where many are like the people passing by Joseph, Mary, and the infant Savior in the temple—unaware of God’s liberator, Jesus Christ—we should be like Simeon, seeing the Savior and making Him known. May God find us faithful to proclaim the message of hope and true freedom that can only be found in Jesus!
- How have you structured your spiritual disciplines so that they keep you sharp and focused on the things of God even as you get older? Would those you love and lead describe you as “righteous and devout” like Simeon?
- Do you seek to be led by the Spirit of God in every aspect of your family, relationships, Christian service, and career? What do you need to change to get into a position to be more Spirit-led?
- Pray and ask God to fill you with His Spirit, then lead others to Jesus so they can find freedom!
Finding Freedom – Man as Chaplain
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.” - Luke 2:25-32 ESV
In the momentous year of 1776, Founder John Adams observed:
You and I, my dear Friend, have been sent into life, at a time when the greatest law-givers of antiquity would have wished to have lived. How few of the human race have ever enjoyed an opportunity of making an election of government more than of air, soil, or climate, for themselves or their children. When! Before the present epocha, had three millions of people full power and a fair opportunity to form and establish the wisest and happiest government that human wisdom can contrive?
In Luke’s Gospel, we encounter an even greater providential moment, one like none other in history. God’s people were facing two kinds of bondage: the tyranny of their Roman occupiers and legalistic ritualism. An elderly man named Simeon, guided by the Holy Spirit, sensed that God was about to do something seismic that would affect the future of His people and the world. When the Christ-child was brought to the temple, no one except the Spirit-led Simeon and the prophetess Anna recognized that this child was the one who would fulfill the Scriptures and bring the long-awaited true freedom to both Jews and Gentiles.
As chaplains and spiritual leaders, we can learn valuable lessons from Simeon. First, like Simeon, who was described as “righteous and devout,” we should seek to live lives that are clean and close to the Lord. Second, just as God guided Simeon to Jesus, we can trust God to lead us to the right places at the right times. Third, like Simeon recognized Jesus, we need to rely on the Holy Spirit to help us notice what others may overlook. Fourth, we should follow Simeon’s example by publicly praising God and sharing the Good News about Jesus.
In a world where many are like the people passing by Joseph, Mary, and the infant Savior in the temple—unaware of God’s liberator, Jesus Christ—we should be like Simeon, seeing the Savior and making Him known. May God find us faithful to proclaim the message of hope and true freedom that can only be found in Jesus!
- How have you structured your spiritual disciplines so that they keep you sharp and focused on the things of God even as you get older? Would those you love and lead describe you as “righteous and devout” like Simeon?
- Do you seek to be led by the Spirit of God in every aspect of your family, relationships, Christian service, and career? What do you need to change to get into a position to be more Spirit-led?
- Pray and ask God to fill you with His Spirit, then lead others to Jesus so they can find freedom!