Jesus was approximately 40/41 days old at the time His mother, Mary was required to make an offering at the temple (Leviticus 12:). Anna is the first in a line of prophetic disciples who will speak about Jesus to all who were looking for the redemption of Israel. Simeon believed in the imminence of the Messianic age. He held him and knew that one day this baby would call people to choose between God and themselves. That is enormously comforting, especially if this Christmas is one that is filled with hard providence for you. He is called "devout." He was careful about his religious observances. Let a man be confronted with Christ as a supernatural person, one born without a human father, brought into the world through the womb of a virgin, as the apparatus of redemption, and he will reveal his own hearts condition by his attitude toward this supernatural Christ. He has written over thirty books, including The Jesus Quest and The Paul Quest, both of which were selected as top Biblical studies works by Christianity Today. 7. Raymond E. Brown and Karl P. Donfried, eds., Mary in the New Testament (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1978), pp. The telemarketer called and asked me if I had received my car keys in the mail last week. He saw that the fall of Israel would be the riches of the Gentiles and that Israels restoration will be comparable to a resurrection from the dead for the whole of humanity. One issue does provide some hesitation for me though. Simeon got it and he saw it! Most of parenthood is like this for me. 1) it is said in the New Testament that Philip had four daughters who prophesied and certainly could be considered prophetesses, with Anna not the only one: Acts 21:8-9 Before this baby was born an angel named Gabriel told Mary what to name Him. I am surprised no one else caught this prior to publication. May we be as ready to welcome the Lord Jesus when He comes the second time as Simeon was to welcome Him when He came the first time - look up Revelation 22:20! Jesus Brings Revelation to the Nations. You can be sure God the father and Holy Spirit let Him know about it. He saw him as the beauty of God saying, "Promise Fulfilled." Then Simeon announced that the Child was for a sign which shall be spoken against that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. This also was a quotation from Isaiah (7:14). He knew that although He had come to His own people they would reject Him, and the gospel would be preached to the Gentiles (John 1:11; Acts 28:28). It was this little child who would life a sinless life, declare words of life, and then absorb the wrath of God so that the creator God and his people could be reunited. We then count 3 and a half months from 1. 14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace (2 Peter 3:10-14). I like the stress on Mary and Joseph as good parents who nevertheless dont get it. "Yeah, I know that we could buy that, but we'd rather give our money away." At least that seems to be what you imply. bringing peace to earth and rebuilding the temple. The Holy Ghost was upon Simeon. This describes a special experience of anointing known to a noble company of Gods people in all ages. She knew who he was! In Hebrew Simeon means: hearing or listening. Simeon knows that God's target is not just Israel but all people. So we know from this that Jesus was 7 + 33 = 40 days old at the time of this ceremony. The older he grew the surer Simeon became that the birth of the Saviour was near. Simeon met baby Jesus and blessed Him, in fulfillment of a promise to Simeon from God. May God give us the kind of spiritual eyesight to see it and lives to live it! 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 2:7, 8). Copyright College Park Church - Indianapolis, Indiana. The Holy Spirit led Simeon to the Temple on the day Joseph, Mary and Jesus were there. Just ponder that for a moment with me: God appointed the future execution of son. But also wanted to add two points: This is the time Simeon and Anna saw Jesus. By this time Simeon was a very old man. The Eastern Orthodox Church considers Anna and Simeon the God-Receiver as the last prophets of Old Testament and observes their feast on February 3/February 16 as the synaxis (afterfeast) following the Presentation of Christ, which Orthodox tradition calls The Meeting of Our Lord and God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Central to the beauty of what Simeon sees is the breadth of what all of this means: "that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples." He was a good man. The Holy Spirit allowed Simeon to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. He is at peace and his heart is filled with hope because he knows that God has fulfilled His promise. The Book of Luke records just two narratives about Jesus childhood: His dedication (Luke 2:21- 40) and His time at the temple when He was 12 years old (Luke 2:41-52). Mary and Joseph marvel at what Simeon says about him (v 33) and then he says something stunning to Mary: "This child is appointed" Simeon knew and Mary and Joseph were only beginning to fully understand that this little baby was part of massive plan determined even before the foundations of the earth (Eph 3:11, Heb 4:3, Rev 13:8). Let us begin each day, as Simeon must have begun each day, by saying, I wonder if my Lord will come today!. I think one of the things Mary was pondering in her heart must have related to the Shepherds visit At the Temple scene, Mary definatly shows she knows this by how she address him after looking for him for three days. Now we turn briefly to Simeon's farewell to the world (2:29-35). Mary, for example, does not fully understand what Anna immediately recognizes. 32 a light that will reveal salvation to unbelievers and bring glory to your people Israel., 33 Jesus father and mother kept wondering at the things being said about him. August 22,2014 2:02 am. Simeon was a righteous and devout man who lived in Jerusalem. He has protected his servant Israel, keeping his merciful design in remembrance, according to the promise which he made to our forefathers, Abraham and his posterity for evermore.. COPYRIGHT 2023 BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY 5614 Connecticut Ave NW #343, Washington DC 20015-2604. I see this in Simeon's personal statement, "For my eyes have seen your salvation" (2:30), and from Luke's account of Anna's actions, "And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for the redemption of Israel" (2:38). 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. To share this article with your friends, use any of the social share buttons on our site, or simply copy the link below. Verse 28 gives us a beautiful picture. In response, Mary made it quite clear to Gabriel that she understood: How old was Simeon when he introduced Jesus? 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Lords Messiah. The Holy Spirit was in him. One's response to Christ reveals the true condition of the heart. Both are quicker than Mary to comprehend who Jesus is This statement seems rather presumptive to me. When Scripture uses blameless or just to describe a man like Zacharias or Simeon, the word means more than just conformity to the Law, to all the commandments and ordinances; it implies the spiritual perception of the purpose of God in the Law and the Prophets. I want to add: each jewish month has exactly 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, 3 1/3 seconds. . It was this little child who creates the means by which people separated by their sins can come back to their God. When that Child came into the world, he brought nothing but a soul. Ben Witherington III is Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary and on the doctoral faculty at St. Andrews University in Scotland. One of the themes of Jesus in the Synoptic tradition seems to be the emphasis that ones own family can become a stumbling block to their walk of faith. Therefore, if you could see Simeon in the temple courtyard holding the baby Jesus with his eyes lifted to the vast sky of Jerusalem you would see a satisfied old man! So Simeon was known for his godly conduct toward others. Simeon ( Greek: ) at the Temple is the "just and devout" man of Jerusalem who, according to Luke 2:25-35, met Mary, Joseph, and Jesus as they entered the Temple to fulfill the requirements of the Law of Moses on the 40th day from Jesus' birth, i. e. the presentation of Jesus at the Temple . Do you follow Christ even when it proves costly? Twelve years after the presentation of Jesus in the Temple, the Holy Family returns to Jerusalem and Jesus returns to the Temple, this time by himself. Now he sees his long-desired Star. Scoffers might pour ridicule upon him for his belief, but they could not rob him of his hope, for the grounds of his confidence were sure. Instead of the adolecents response, Jesus said this time, my time has not yet come. Followed immediatly by changing the water into wine. While considering Dr. Witheringtons question, I would like to ask, How about Elizabeth, wife of Zachariah, whose response to Marys arrival plainly states that the Spirit revealed to her the identity of the unborn Messiah? Luke 1:41-43 reads, When Elizabeth heard Marys greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Simeon declared the Child to be the glory of thy people Israel. That an Israelite should first mention Christ as the means of enlightening the heathen and then emphasize the glory of Israel was an unusual order in pre-Christian times and thinking. Simeon made a prophetic and powerful predictive statement about Jesus and the purpose of His life. The nunc dimittis of Simeon emphasizes the end of a long vigil of waiting. I just want to eat and to be done with that call. Verse 25 tells us this, and it means that while he was honest and upright in the sight of men, he was holy (as the word really means) in the sight of God. Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace (Luke 2:28, 29). He is a godly man who is satisfied with a gospel that is a beautiful and costly treasure. Surely youll recall how the unborn John the Baptist leaped in his mothers womb at the presence of Mary and the unborn baby Jesus? I said that I had not. Their patient waiting is now being fulfilled as Simeon and Anna both converge in temple area and meet the Messiah face to face. It is evident from scripture, by the fact that the people in His hometown and His siblings didnt know He was the Messia (after thirty yrs), that Mary, Joseph or Jesus ever revealed this. He loved God. Simeon took the baby Jesus into his arms. It was God the Fathers and Holy Spirits job to prepare Jesus until he was ready to start His ministry. Let me first give you my thesis, and then try to show you three ways that I see this in the text. The secret of a life that is pleasing in the sight of men and well-pleasing to God is the filling of the Holy Ghost - look up Ephesians 5:18. He could not be as he did not fulfill the requirements, i.e. Even better, Mary understood that she had indeed been greatly blessed, and that all generations would call [her] Blessed. Anna wasnt there to tell Mary something she didnt already know. They were devout in their worship and righteous in their dealings with their fellow men. 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. God gave her a job to do and she is doing it. A suffering messiah was not yet on He knew Jesus was the Son of God. Simeon does not domesticate the gospel or the Messiah. 8:14). Seven Signs Changing water into wine at Cana in John 2:1-11 the first of the signs Healing the royal officials son in Capernaum in John 4:46-54. Put all of that together and what you have is a very costly gospel. Have you bent your knee and turned to Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Another assumption that is often made is that Simeon was a priest. Luke records that Jesus' parents "marveled at what was said about him" ( Luke 2:33 ). If these shepherds were in charge of He was waiting for the one who would comfort Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. At the Temple, the family is approached by a man named Simeon, who has been told by the Holy Spirit that he will not die until he has seen the messiah. the angels (you will find the babe swaddled and laying in a manger.). Its amazing all the women named or not named. He took Jesus in his arms, held him close and began to bless the Lord. It is surely significant that his name means Hearing with alacrity. Youre on the money. Simeon thanked God that he was able to see Jesus the savior! disciple. Thus Jesus was driven by the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil. They were given a sign a baby swaddled, laying in a manger. If (as some scholars claim) this band of shepherds were those caring for the temple flocks, they would recognize this treatment. The women are not only more receptive to the message, they are more willing to act upon it, with Elizabeth realizing that her cousin is carrying the messiah and praising God for this blessing and Anna spreading the good news. It seems that Luke wants to make this scene very personal for Simeon and Anna. At that circumcision ceremony babies were given their name. Notice also that the Holy Spirit always leads to and glorifies the Lord Jesus - compare verse 27 with John 16:13-14. Simeon's testimony was great in that he said that he saw the salvation in Jesus and Jesus was the one whom the Father had prepared before the face of all the people and also that Jesus was the light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of His people Israel. She may have been able to undertake this role in the Temple because she was no longer in periodic states of ritual impurity caused by menstruation. Required fields are marked *. Thus Simeon was driven under the impulse of the Spirit into the Temple, and when he was confronted with the Christ Child, it was necessary to receive him into his arms, not doubting because of the poverty, the humility, or the insignificance of this family. He had been told by God, as a much younger man, that he would definitely see the Jewish Messiah before he died. No wonder they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, (luke 2:17). Rather in 2.51 [his mother treasured all these things ] he stresses her retention of what she has not yet understood and her continuing search to understand.2. Anna belonged to the tribe of Asher. What is the overall storyline of jesus existence according to johns gospel. 35 Indeed, a sword will pierce your own soul, too, so that the inner thoughts of many people might be revealed. Interestingly, in both, the woman is portrayed as the more positive example of discipleship. The Holy Ghost is the author of all scripture (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21), and the great message of the scriptures concerning the future is that Jesus is coming again - look up John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 John 3:1-3). disturbing images regarding jesus future. 25 A man named Simeon lived in Jerusalem. 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. According to Luke, Mary treasures the angels message, but does not fully understand it. Biblical Archaeology Society, [] Witherington IIIs full essay Mary, Simeon or Anna: Who First Recognized Jesus as Messiah? is accessible online for free. When he heard the account given by Mary and Joseph to the priest, he interrupted the process of dedication by taking the Child in his arms and making a great spiritual prophecy under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is . Gabriel made it quite clear to Mary who is Jesus: i know PROTESTANTS dont credit private interpretations. A widow . website? Rather, it was the summit of his life-long experience with God. The late New Testament scholar Raymond Brown wrote: Lukes idea is that complete acceptance of the word of God, complete understanding of who Jesus is, and complete discipleship is not yet possible. Even modern day shepherds Simeon saw Jesus there, and he picked Jesus up in his arms. The story of Jesus birth is framed by two such storiesthat of Elizabeth and Zechariah in Luke 1 and Anna and Simeon in Luke 2. When Simeon saw the Lords Christ, he took him up in his arms and blessed God, saying, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. This taking Jesus into his arms was an act of the will by Simeon. What impresses me about Simeon is the powerful mingling of righteousness, Spirit-empowerment, and faith to take God at His Word. Leviticus 12:1-8 gave clear instructions that after the birth of a child a woman was ceremonially unclean. He has mercy upon those who fear him, from generation to generation; he has done valiantly with the strength of his arm, driving the proud astray in the conceit of their hearts; he has put down the mighty from their seat, and exalted the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty-handed. Of course, in the end, Luke portrays Mary as successfully making the spiritual journey into the family of faith; in Acts 1:14, when the apostles gather in the upper room after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, Mary is with them. about the historical past and tradition of historical Egypt. Let us know if corrections need to be made. He was "waiting for the consolation of Israel." He took the prophets at their word and was looking for the coming Messiah. Two kinds of persons were involved; first there were those who would apprehend Christ as the Rock and find in him a spiritual sanctuary; second, those who would reject him and find him a stumbling stone and a rock of offense (cf. So what? The whole of the strange thing called life lies between the extremes in that picture. Home / / how old was simeon when he saw jesus. i have a tremendous teachin about the physiologic process a body experiences, during crucifixion. Reading this narrative, we sense that it was perfectly proper for this old man to take the Baby Jesus in his arms because of what he was and who he was. 2010-07-06 11:03:12. What an act of faith that was! The wisdom of Almighty God is unsearchable! This man was righteous and devout. MY SHOPPING CART. We have an extra set here at our office. Which scripture acknowledges by saying Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. He was obident and honored them for another 18 yrs until the God given time had come and He revelled himself by changing the water into wine at the Cana wedding. Jesus mouthing off to his mother in public after they have been frantic after losing him in a larger metropolitan area for three days. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he saw the Messiah whom God had promised his people. Wikimedia CommonsThe Greek transliteration of Jesus real name , Isous, and the late Biblical Hebrew version Yeshua. Simeon is so satisfied in the beauty God's ability to keep His word. He saw the Savior before He died. And God has graciously given us signs by which we may know that the second coming of His Son is very near. See something we missed? together regarding her first born. They had dedicated the baby Jesus according to the law of Moses, and they traveled to Jerusalem each year to celebrate Passover. They likely would have communicated to her the sign they had been given by Jesus is the one that they have been longing and looking for. Simeon's prayer captures the beauty of the gospel: He begins his praise to God with an expression of ultimate satisfaction in God and it is tied to the word peace: "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace," (v 29). Mary and Joseph bring Jesus into the temple to dedicate Him forty days after his birth. This account is reminder to all of us that this day is not just about time with family or wonderful expressions of love. He was a good man and very religious. Why does Gary Soto's work seem autobiographical? Nicely done Ben. Further Zacharias announces who is son John shall be and who Marys Son shall be in his discourse before Jesus or John are even born. It has provided much food for thought. He saw the gospel clearly, and he was a satisfied man. According to Luke, Anna never left the Temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day (Luke 2:37). Browse 60+ years of magazine archives and web exclusives. Oh to have people know that there is something different about us because of how satisfied we are in Christ. The holy family had made its little pilgrimage from Bethlehem to Jerusalem, a distance of about five miles, to accomplish what was called the purification of Mary. Feeding the 5000 in John 6:5-14. A little Child who was conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of a virgin was to be the means of the deliverance of Gods people. God could have prolonged his life anyway without a word. news about the Christ Child to everyone in Jerusalem looking for Keeping them wrapped prevented them from becoming blemished later on. Does not detract from the subject matter, but some would doubt your research capabilities. He prayed, "God, You kept Your promise, and I have Simeon at the Temple is a figure in the Gospel of Luke. If you ever want to read something that fills in the blanks an,d plays out like a movie, read MYSTICAL CITY OF GOD by SISTER MARY of AGREEDA. Simeon went into the church in Jerusalem. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! The darkness of nineteen centuries has not been able to overcome that light, nor can the darkness of evil forces today extinguish the light of hope, faith, and love kindled by the coming of Jesus Christ.

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