He was waiting for the one who would comfort Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It has provided much food for thought. I believe that Luke records this account to show Theophilus and all of us that Simeon saw the gospel - an attractive, broad, costly, and satisfying gospel. You see, treasuring godliness and the worth of the gospel are tested when following Christ costs you something. Because that is what Simon said. Now he sees his long-desired Star. Both are quicker than Mary to comprehend who Jesus is This statement seems rather presumptive to me. I really didn't care about $15,000 at that moment. If Mary were first to know, then surely Elizabeth was second, or if Mary did not realize, then Eizabeth was first to know. Simeon got it and he saw it! One day, his parents, Joseph and Mary, took him up to the Temple to present him to God. 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. He saw this baby as the reason for his godliness. She spread the 2:7, 8). Its amazing all the women named or not named. 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. Simeon met baby Jesus and blessed Him, in fulfillment of a promise to Simeon from God. What are the 4 major sources of law in Zimbabwe? Like the disciples who will follow her, she is driven to bear witness to what she has seen. But the beauty is not limited here to Simeon's experience alone. news about the Christ Child to everyone in Jerusalem looking for Simeon thanked God that he was able to see Jesus the savior! 35 Indeed, a sword will pierce your own soul, too, so that the inner thoughts of many people might be revealed. we can know when Jesus was born. Uffizi/Scala/Art Resource, NY. Anna was the prophetess who saw Jesus when he was presented in the temple by his parents. Subscribers receive full access to the archives. Simeon represented himself as a sentinel whom his master had placed in an elevated position and charged to look for the appearance of the Star. What is that point? There was a lady named Anna that lived in Jerusalem also. Does not detract from the subject matter, but some would doubt your research capabilities. Wiki User 2011-01-25 . Wouldn't it be awesome if that was our view of life when it comes to the gospel? She is not shaking in her boots because inwardly Jesus is the Son of God. Simeon had long searched the Scriptures and prayed and waited for the coming of the Messiah in fulfillment of prophecy. 1. The small child that Simeon holds will be a light to the Gentiles. To unlock this article for your friends, use any of the social share buttons on our site, or simply copy the link below. 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. Mary and Joseph bring Jesus into the temple to dedicate Him forty days after his birth. In this beautiful scene, the aged Simeon takes the Baby Jesus up in his arms and expresses his delight and joy to God in a brief prayer. 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. By this time Simeon was a very old man. disturbing images regarding jesus future. There is no great incentive to holy living than to believe, to live and to labour in the conviction that the Lord Jesus is coming again look up 1 John 3:3. And at the outset of a long chain of such prophetic insights stand Simeon and Anna, one satisfied that prophecy has been fulfilled and the other pointing to the future, a future as bright as the promises of God. He spoke an astounding prophecy about saving the world. How old was Jesus when simeon and Anna saw him? The Prophecy of Simeon 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. 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. So we know from this that Jesus was 7 + 33 = 40 days old at the time of this ceremony. After Pushing for UMC Unity, Former Bishop Joins New Denomination, I Was the Proverbial, Drug-Fueled Rock and Roller, Jesus Revolution Director: Were at the Forefront of a Return to God, Christian Conservationists Sue to Protect Ghana Forest, Complete access to articles on ChristianityToday.com, Over 120 years of magazine archives plus full access to all of CTs online archives. In which christian text are the teachings of jesus recorded? I believe it's more likely he was already getting up there in years and he was beginning to worry. 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. ANNA. A suffering messiah was not yet on The text states that Simeon was eventually subdued by Manasseh, and imprisoned. 2. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call him Jesus. They had dedicated the baby Jesus according to the law of Moses, and they traveled to Jerusalem each year to celebrate Passover. Rather, it was the summit of his life-long experience with God. Simeon described the Child as a light to lighten the Gentiles. The Gentiles refers to the nations other than Israel. However, given such information, Simeon could not have been more than 55 years old, perhaps an age considered advanced at that time. Simeon was described as devout and just and was a part of the remnant of Gods people. together regarding her first born. Not everyone can be a prophet, however. This is clear. Anna belonged to the tribe of Asher. 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. birthing the sacrificial lambs for the nearby temple, as some scholars claim, then this sign would present some By now my food was getting cold so I said, "YeahI really wouldn't like $15,000 either." His meeting of the Christ-child was not an anomaly or a spiritual aberration. Anna was 84 years old, and she stayed in the temple serving God. The Spirit rested upon Moses, and his face shone like that of an angel. 22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons" (Luke 2:22-24). 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. Have you bent your knee and turned to Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Of course, no one knows how old Simeon was when God gave him this assurance. 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). All men will not accept Jesus. Instead of the adolecents response, Jesus said this time, my time has not yet come. Followed immediatly by changing the water into wine. We shall never be perfect while we are in the flesh, but the Lord has made provision for us to be blameless (verse 25), which means that our lives should be such that they bring glory to His name and show forth His praise to those amongst whom we are living. According to Matthew and Luke, however, Joseph was only legally his father. Jesus was approximately 40/41 days old at the time His mother, Simon is one Latinised version of the name, the others being Simeon or Symeon. the angels (you will find the babe swaddled and laying in a manger.). The Bible does not tell us his age, but one thing is very clear he was a very, very old man.But he was the man who recognized Jesus was the savior even with his dim eyes. This was Simeons one opportunity to see the Lords Christ. was saying and revelling himself at this age God had her back on this one! "A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel" (Luke 2:32) THE WEDDING AT CANA According to Luke 2:2224, [Joseph and Mary] brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord [quoting Exodus 13:2, 12]) and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons [based on Leviticus 12:28].. We know far more of Jesus through the New Testament revelation than Simeon ever could have known from the Old Testament prophecy, but do we embrace him in the arms of faith as the Lords Christ as Simeon did? That Child, by the combining in him of a divine nature and a human nature through a virgin birth, was the prepared apparatus to work out salvation for the world. He had been told by God, as a much younger man, that he would definitely see the Jewish Messiah before he died. What would prompt you to say, "Okay, now I'm ready to die!" Do you follow Christ even when it proves costly? was a very old man, and was waiting to see the messiah and die. Another assumption that is often made is that Simeon was a priest. Oh to have people know that there is something different about us because of how satisfied we are in Christ. God told Simeon that he would see Jesus who was the Son of God. I enjoyed your article and found only one flaw which to some lends itself to your research or thoroughness of it. 2023 Words of Life Ministries - an independent evangelical Registered Charitable Trust (no.269381) Cookie Policy | Privacy Policy Website by: TEKOA Creative, Study 4 JUDAS ISCARIOT: HIS TERRIBLE BETRAYAL, Verse 26 tells us it had been revealed to him. to say. He would not die until he saw for himself the coming Messiah. What is are the functions of diverse organisms? The first Christmas and the Christ child come at a particular point in time, but for many, like Mary and Joseph, the significance of the event is only understood incrementally and over the course of many years. The redemptive offerings, the Day of Atonement, the Passover, all spoke to them of the coming Christ. This will come through the ministry of Jesus and particularly through the cross and resurrection.. Just ponder that for a moment with me: God appointed the future execution of son. 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.. In the birth narratives about Jesus, we meet Simeon and Anna, who were also "waiting for consolation" (Luke 2:25). Mary at the Cana wedding sensed, maybe with the Holy Spirits nudging, that perhaps this was the time for Jesus to reveall him self in a big way. Simeon went to the temple and held the Christ. Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace. Blessedness and peace were his portion. I think one of the things Mary was pondering in her heart must have related to the Shepherds visit Therefore, the ages of Simeon and Anna are very important. 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 love the balance that Simeon has - the kind balanced spiritual eyesight that we all need. He was a prophet and teacher. Rather, Christmas calls to remember that Jesus is not only the reason for the season, He is only reason for living or (in Simeon's case) dying. 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! In the biblical Joseph narrative, when Joseph, having settled in Egypt, asks his brothers to bring Benjamin to him, he takes Simeon hostage to ensure that they return. "Yeah, I know that we could buy that, but we'd rather give our money away." 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! What did old Simeon say when he saw Jesus? Also see the reading below from verses 29-32 and verses 34-35. And she wont for several years. When that Child came into the world, he brought nothing but a soul. I like the stress on Mary and Joseph as good parents who nevertheless dont get it. He sees baby Jesus, God incarnate, and sings, "Lord, now let your servant depart in peace according to your Word, for my eyes have seen your salvation which has been prepared for all people.". Simeon does not know that years later Paul will write these words: "11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands- 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. 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. 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). Nisan till the begnning of the service of the house of Abija, which gives us end June as the earliest possible conception date for John, when his father Zacharia went home after his templeservice and went to his wife. He will, in fact, be rejected. Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: by Mark Vroegop. I like to think it was the shepherds. How old was Simeon when he introduced Jesus? We then count 3 and a half months from 1. Simon Peter was also Verse 26 tells us that God had revealed to him that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord's Christ. I said that I had not. According to Luke, Anna never left the Temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day (Luke 2:37). Simeon at the Temple is a figure in the Gospel of Luke. In the free ebook Who Was Jesus? Global Relief Fund | Earthquake Relief Efforts in Turkey and Syria. "A sword will pierce through your own soul also." 2. What distinguishes Simeon is not his position, but his godliness. Simeon was a righteous and devout man who lived in Jerusalem. 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. 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. He saw one of the most important events in world history! 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. They likely would have communicated to her the sign they had been given by See who and when the Apostles wrote their stories. wish to examine some-more about his analysis? 34 Then Simeon blessed them and told Mary, his mother, This infant is destined to cause many in Israel to fall and rise. When the divine illumination concerning Christ comes to us, we too must act immediately in submission and receive the Christ. Learn more about Anna in Robin Gallaher Branchs Bible History Daily article Anna in the Bible.. Simeon was a part of the group of brothers who sold Joseph into slavery and then lied to Jacob, saying that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal ( Genesis 37 ). You can be sure God the father and Holy Spirit let Him know about it. Simeon declared, Mine eyes have seen thy salvation. The Child is here equated with Gods salvation. Jesus walking on water in John 6:16-24. Mary, for example, does not fully understand what Anna immediately recognizes. Many, many years before Jesus came to earth as a baby, God had given Moses laws for His people to obey. It is often assumed that Simeon was an old man, but the Bible never says that. Your email address will not be published. Simeon recognised Jesus as the Christ as soon as he saw him, and blessed the young family. And Marys Magnificent states her understanding of what is happening within her. 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. 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). Jesus at the age of twelve accompanies Mary and Joseph, and a large group of their relatives and friends to Jerusalem on pilgrimage, according to the custom that is, Passover. The telemarketer called and asked me if I had received my car keys in the mail last week. He did not know just when He would come, but as his hair whitened and his limbs became enfeebled, these were signs to him that the Lords coming was very near. How did the 2nd February come to be called Candlemas ? 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed" (Luke 2:25-35 ESV). The angel had said, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased." Now Simeon, a man of great faith in God's consolation, sees Jesus and is ready to die in peace. Looking at Jesus inspired him in two ways: the feeling of . He saw the Savior before He died. Also read Numbers 8:17 and Numbers 18:14-1, The angel Gabriel spoke to Mary about the birth of Jesus, An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, Angels praised God for the birth of Jesus, Jesus at 40 days old was taken to the Temple, Magi traveled from the East to find Jesus, King Herod the Great plans how to kill Jesus, Timeline for Birth of Jesus The Christmas Story, Background Information Birth of Jesus The Christmas Story. . He will bring the revelation to non-Jewish people in order to bring Jews and Gentiles to God. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. This practice carried over into English: in the King James Version, the name Simeon Niger is spelt Simeon . And nobodys recognizing John the Baptists testimony to knowing who Jesus wasfrom the womb! Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or 2 images. Simeon, believed to be an old man, was waiting for the redemption of Israel, and the Holy Spirit told him that he would not die until he had see the redemption in the infant body of Christ, in the Anointed One of God. 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. But also wanted to add two points: 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.". 19 Feb, 2021 So we know from this that Jesus was 7 + 33 = 40 days old at the time of this ceremony. Story: Tell the story of Jesus being presented at the temple based on Luke 2:21-40. a. Jesus' Circumcision: Mary and Joseph took God's Son when He was 8 days old and had Him circumcised. This. Director Jon Erwin discusses his inspiration for the film and how history might be repeating itself today. He is a godly man who is satisfied with a gospel that is a beautiful and costly treasure. Zacharias the father of John the baptist was from the house of Abija, we read in Luke 1.5. Didnt Jesus family try to kidnap him at one point during his ministry. website? Simeon, who saw the baby Jesus, was neither an apostle or He took Jesus in his arms, held him close and began to bless the Lord. A widow . Kauna unahang parabula na inilimbag sa bhutan. Shes pondering all right, shes pondering just how hard shes gonna tan his little hide when she gets him home. 1. In fact, people may even laugh at your Christ-centered satisfaction. 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). Jesus was never the Messiah ! Surely youll recall how the unborn John the Baptist leaped in his mothers womb at the presence of Mary and the unborn baby Jesus?
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