Now we turn briefly to Simeon's farewell to the world (2:29-35). Is there a difference between Simon and Simeon? A suffering messiah was not yet on Rather, he paints a very human and realistic picture of Mary and Joseph as good parents, anxious, concerned, striving to be obedient and understanding, but not yet comprehending. Here Simeon looked across three decades to a picture of a Man hanging on a cross, dying for the sins of his people, and suffering the penalty of the Law, thus emptying death of its sting and the Law of its curse. God holds our every breath. Copy. Luke portrays the rise of a form of Judaism that would rely on the testimony of women as well as men, and that would empower them once again to fulfill roles like Miriam of old. 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.". There was a lady named Anna that lived in Jerusalem also. The Holy Spirit led Simeon to the Temple on the day Joseph, Mary and Jesus were there. Most of parenthood is like this for me. Simeon believed in the imminence of the Messianic age. As Paul put it in Ephesians 2:19 - no longer strangers or foreigners, but fellow citizens! website? Let us know if corrections need to be made. Does not detract from the subject matter, but some would doubt your research capabilities. He spoke an astounding prophecy about saving the world. For some reason, Simeon, alone of all people, had been promised that he would not die before he saw the Lord's Anointed (Christ). Dig into the illuminating world of the Bible with a BAS All-Access membership. In these Old Testament types and experiences, they saw Christ. And who better to give it to than a man who would fully appreciate it. It was Mary and Josephs job to bring up Jesus the Son of Man, as Jesus often referred to himself, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord to be a responsible adult in the Jewish culture. I think one of the things Mary was pondering in her heart must have related to the Shepherds visit "A sword will pierce through your own soul also." 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. 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 Verse 28 gives us a beautiful picture. and lain in a manger as they were being inspected for blemishes that would disqualify them for sacrifice. Gods command to us is that we should be holy (Leviticus 20:7), and His provision is the gift of the Holy Ghost who reproduces within us the holiness of the Lord Jesus Himself. Who is Katy mixon body double eastbound and down season 1 finale? The older he grew the surer Simeon became that the birth of the Saviour was near. . (The same Spirit told him to go to the Temple that day, too.) The Spirit gave Simeon divine revelationit was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lords Christ. The word translated revealed is actually a divine response. In the active tense the word means to transact business, to make an answer to those who seek advice. The use of the word in the passive bespeaks revelation made by God in response to the seeking of man. Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace. Blessedness and peace were his portion. In which christian text are the teachings of jesus recorded? Another assumption that is often made is that Simeon was a priest. 7. Biblical Archaeology Society, [] Witherington IIIs full essay Mary, Simeon or Anna: Who First Recognized Jesus as Messiah? is accessible online for free. 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). Godly people are supremely satisfied with a costly gospel. 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. Furthermore, Joseph seems to be Marys equal regarding getting it. Lets not forget that God spoke to Joseph in dreams and he obeyed each time. the angels (you will find the babe swaddled and laying in a manger.). Wiki User. husband passed away seven years after her wedding. In what has become known as the Nunc Dimittus, Simeon's poetic blessing to God a few verses later, Simeon recognizes the fulfillment of God's promised salvation as "a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel" (vv 30-32; see Isa 9:1-2; 40:5; 42:6; 49:6; 52:10; etc). In Hebrew Baby Names the meaning of the name Simeon is: Obedient; listening; little hyena. The redemptive offerings, the Day of Atonement, the Passover, all spoke to them of the coming Christ. Hebrew Sukkot is the plural from Suka booth, tent, tabernacle. This apparatus was prepared by God for the salvation of all people. By this time Simeon was a very old man. Jesus name in Hebrew was Yeshua which translates to English as Joshua. 8:14). Mary and Jesus. Sign up to receive our email newsletter and never miss an update. Surely youll recall how the unborn John the Baptist leaped in his mothers womb at the presence of Mary and the unborn baby Jesus? 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. Yes, a messiah has arrived, as Simeon recognizes, but, as the prophetess Anna suggests, a new era, with a new and living voice of prophecy, has at the same time dawned.1 In this new era, the living voice of God will continue to speak about the messianic one. By this time Simeon was a very old man. Let us begin each day, as Simeon must have begun each day, by saying, I wonder if my Lord will come today!. together regarding her first born. 3 Pilgrimage Paths from Galilee to Jerusalem, Dating the Oldest New Testament Christian Manuscripts, The Bethesda Pool, Site of One of Jesus Miracles. i am a veterinarian in texas and i am catholic! Good Stuff Ben and I love preaching on Simeon and Anna over the years, thanks. At that circumcision ceremony babies were given their name. Home / / how old was simeon when he saw jesus. Where was he really bornBethlehem or Nazareth? Simeon was described as devout and just and was a part of the remnant of Gods people. We then count 3 and a half months from 1. And that was when we both started laughing. How old was Simeon when he saw Jesus in the temple? Anna was 84 years old, and she stayed in the temple serving God. SCRIPTURE, proclaims elizabeth asking in wonder, how is it that the MOTHER of my LORD comes to me? i could go on and on. she said. must be consecrated to the Lord. Simeon lived in Jerusalem. He had a personal encounter with Jesus, and foresaw Christ's future crucifixion. The author of Luke often used repetition to ensure certainty among his readers, so the story of Simeon was immediately followed by the story of Anna the prophetess. December 21, 2008 College Park Church, What Simeon Saw: Lessons From a Satisfied Old Man. birthing the sacrificial lambs for the nearby temple, as some scholars claim, then this sign would present some The text states that Simeon was eventually subdued by Manasseh, and imprisoned. What would prompt you to say, "Okay, now I'm ready to die!" He was waiting for the one who would comfort Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. Simeon accepted the Baby Jesus as the Christ of God. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he saw the Messiah whom God had promised his people. 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. Not everyone can be a prophet, however. Barbara Simeon Expand search. There were three characteristics of Simeons Spirit-controlled life: The Spirit-controlled life is a life which is endued with the Spirit, taught of the Spirit and led by the Spirit. How old was Jesus when simeon and Anna saw him?Jesus was approximately 40/41 days old at the time His mother, Mary was required to make an offering at the temple (Leviticus 12:). Behold, from this day forward all generations will count me blessed; because he who is mighty, he whose name is holy, has wrought for me his wonders. Simeon was a righteous and devout man who lived in Jerusalem. Who are we to really imply something different for the amazing Simeon and his song??!!! He was a good man. Raymond E. Brown and Karl P. Donfried, eds., Mary in the New Testament (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1978), pp. It has provided much food for thought. When that Child came into the world, he brought nothing but a soul. Luke records that Jesus' parents "marveled at what was said about him" ( Luke 2:33 ). Luke 2:21-40 tells how Simeon went to the Temple in Jerusalem where he met the Holy Family. He will bring the revelation to non-Jewish people in order to bring Jews and Gentiles to God. He kept the law inwardly and outwardly, looked for the Messiah, and the very presence of God was in his life. The Child was to be the shining light that would dawn in human hearts over the whole of the earth. Bauxite mining would threaten birds, plants, and clean water. 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! This is the gospel - full of hope, rooted in God's faithfulness, spread to all people, and the most glorious news in all the world! That Lord Jesus Christ has come not only for Jews but also for the Gentiles is seen here in Luke Chapter 2:21-35 where description of one named Simeon is given. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! The reason we assume him to be old is that when he holds Jesus in his arms, he says to God, "Now you are letting your servant depart in peace." He may have been old, but not necessarily so. So Simeon was known for his godly conduct toward others. A tour to the pyramids of Giza will reveal some fascinating facts 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). As Christians, we should be known for our absolute honesty, our truthfulness, our dependability and our moral integrity. How many nieces and nephew luther vandross have? Also see the reading below from verses 29-32 and verses 34-35. 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 seems that Luke wants to make this scene very personal for Simeon and Anna. The doctors of the Law may have been dead spiritually, but these remnant people, who saw the reality contained in the Law and the Prophets, were alive to what God was doing. In fact, he is so satisfied that having held the Christ-child he is now ready to die! She knew who he was! When Jesus was 40 days old Mary and Joseph traveled to the temple in Jerusalem for another ceremony. As Joseph and Mary marveled at the things spoken of their Child by Simeon, they were blessed by him, and heard Gods purpose for the Child. It is often assumed that Simeon was an old man, but the Bible never says that. He had been told by God, as a much younger man, that he would definitely see the Jewish Messiah before he died. Thus, Simeon was speaking not of the Saviour but of the apparatus fitted to bring salvation. Fear God, love God and honor God for the multitude of things he has done in our behalf, the love He has given us and the graciousness He has shown us through His Son and the Holy Spirit! August 22,2014 2:02 am. redemption. God is being gracious to Israel, but Simeon knows that God's grace is going to overflow the borders of this small nation. He held him and knew that one day this baby would call people to choose between God and themselves. Jesus Brings Revelation to the Nations. He saw one of the most important events in world history! The thoughts of men's hearts will be revealed by what they do with Christ. 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. He is a godly man who is satisfied with a gospel that is a beautiful and costly treasure. The Spirit rested upon Samson, and he did marvelous exploits. In response, Mary made it quite clear to Gabriel that she understood: All you need to do is come down to our service center to learn about our products, pick up your keys, and you will have chance to start a 2006 Chevy Blazer. It reminds me of this New Testament passage: 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Simeon suggested to Mary, A sword shall pierce through thy own soul also. He did not leave the parents upon the mount of elevation but included a drop of bitterness through the prophecy that this helpless Baby was to be the suffering and dying Messiah. He expresses this so well in verse 32, "a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.". Uffizi/Scala/Art Resource, NY. Mary was the first to have the good news announced to her, but Anna is the first woman to understand fully and proclaim the good news. 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. He was sincere and he was known to be, as we say today, above reproach. This button displays the currently selected search type. Instead of the adolecents response, Jesus said this time, my time has not yet come. Followed immediatly by changing the water into wine. Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety. Jesus responds, Did you not know that I must be in my Fathers house? But, Luke reports, they did not understand what he said to them [but] his mother treasured all these things in her heart (Luke 2:4851). 35 Indeed, a sword will pierce your own soul, too, so that the inner thoughts of many people might be revealed. Simeon finds them coming into the temple, takes the child in his arms, and offers a beautiful prayer of thanksgiving to God. He had been told by God, as a much younger man, that he would definitely see the Jewish Messiah before he died. Exploring the History of Jesus Life, examine fundamental questions about Jesus of Nazareth. 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. Nice job Susanna! 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. Also, he will be a sign that will be opposed. Notice, in Luke 2:25-35, some of the characteristics of this man who waited for the coming of Christ: He had no doubt about this, as we learn from verse 26.