GOD THE FATHER, HOLY SPIRIT, JESUS AND MARY AT THE TEMPLE Peace is not linked to an absence of conflict or pain, but to the assurance that God keeps His word. Let me first give you my thesis, and then try to show you three ways that I see this in the text. He was in all probability an old man, though we are not told this, and no indication is given of his position in life, nor as to whether he was rich or poor. The peace that Simeon is talking about is linked to two phrases - "according to your word" and "for my eyes have seen your salvation." Healing the man blind from birth in John 9:1-7. 7. The whole of the strange thing called life lies between the extremes in that picture. When Jesus was 40 days old Mary and Joseph traveled to the temple in Jerusalem for another ceremony. 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. Wiki User. It is sign that reveals the attitude of human hearts. The neuter gender is used for the word salvation. Simeon was described as devout and just and was a part of the remnant of Gods people. Shes pondering all right, shes pondering just how hard shes gonna tan his little hide when she gets him home. Simeon instantly and independently recognizes Jesus as messiah. But also wanted to add two points: This required the presentation of a lamb, or for those who were poor, of two pigeons. 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. Alfred Plummer, in his classic commentary on Luke, suggested that the difference between Anna and Simeon provides a clue to Luke as a salvation historian, a chronicler of the mighty acts of God for his people through the ages. Who is Katy mixon body double eastbound and down season 1 finale? If it starts, you get to keep the vehicle." Simeon appears to be a normal Jewish man. 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. The word Lord means Over-lord; the word servant means bond-servant; and the phrase, as you have promised indicates complete submission to the promises of the Lord. The jewish year in ancient Israel times began in spring, the month of Nisan ,which is about our March/April . Doesnt it say that they thought he had gone mad? He took Jesus in his arms, held him close and began to bless the Lord. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he saw the Messiah whom God had promised his people. 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. 4 Si Jose ay umahon din mula sa Galilea, mula sa lungsod ng Nazaret . 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 like to think it was the shepherds. Adding to what David said, Two important points, to say the least: 1. We have an extra set here at our office. In Hebrew Baby Names the meaning of the name Simeon is: Obedient; listening; little hyena. God is testing us everyday and has given us the right to make our own choices. 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. Simon is one Latinised version of the name, the others being Simeon or Symeon. Barbara Simeon Expand search. She changed strategies, "Well, how about $15,000? Simeon spoke to Mary, Jesus' mother. What did old Simeon say when he saw Jesus? That is what Simeon saw, and that is what all godly people should see - even to the point of death. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus . 2 Ang pagpapatalang ito ay unang nangyari nang si Cirenio ay gobernador ng Siria. together regarding her first born. Simeon went into the church in Jerusalem. 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. MY SHOPPING CART. That light was symbolized by the Star of Bethlehem, which shone in the dark night when the Prince of Life came into a world torn by avarice, hatred, and war. Deuteronomy 19:15 stresses the importance of having two witnesses to validate an event. 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. He kept the law inwardly and outwardly, looked for the Messiah, and the very presence of God was in his life. 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). Luke 2:36-38 tells us that Anna, a prophetess, from the tribe of Asher, was an 84 year old widow, when she saw Jesus at the temple. 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. must be consecrated to the Lord. It has provided much food for thought. 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. Simeon knows that God's target is not just Israel but all people. The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would die before he saw the It is . He had been told by God, as a much younger man, that he would definitely see the Jewish Messiah before he died. Your email address will not be published. Have something to add about this? to say. Dr. Witherington has presented seminars for churches, colleges and Biblical meetings in the U.S., England, Estonia, Russia, Europe, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Australia. This phrase either means that many will be humbled and spiritually raised up because of him (like the story of the publican in Luke 18:9ff), or it means that Jesus will be a stone over which some will fall and perish while others are spiritual "risen up" by God's power (see Luke 1:51-53). Surely youll recall how the unborn John the Baptist leaped in his mothers womb at the presence of Mary and the unborn baby Jesus? 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. Simeon made a prophetic and powerful predictive statement about Jesus and the purpose of His life. 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 then approaches the Holy Family. Simeon saw Jesus there, and he picked Jesus up in his arms. The song Mary did you know yes Mary did know that her son Gods son was capable of not only performing miracles but of saving any one who has faith in Him from eternal death and blessing them with eternal life. i know PROTESTANTS dont credit private interpretations. She was very old, around 84 years old when she saw Jesus in the temple.Refer also to Luke 2:36-38. The thoughts of men's hearts will be revealed by what they do with Christ. All rights reserved. Simeon had long searched the Scriptures and prayed and waited for the coming of the Messiah in fulfillment of prophecy. It was through this child that sin could permanently be forgiven. Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to Simeon. For some reason, Simeon, alone of all people, had been promised that he would not die before he saw the Lord's Anointed (Christ). His meeting of the Christ-child was not an anomaly or a spiritual aberration. Nicely done Ben. A suffering messiah was not yet on Simeon addressed Mary with the words, This child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel. This was an application of the prophecy of Isaiah that the Christ was to be a rock of offense, causing the fall of many in Israel (Isa. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current . What are the Physical devices used to construct memories? When that old man went out of the world he took nothing but a soul. 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.". Jesus was approximately 40/41 days old at the time His mother, So what? Harold John Ockenga is president of Gordon College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Wenham, Massachusetts), positions he assumed after serving as pastor of Park Street Church in Boston for over thirty years. There is a remarkable identity in the Greek between this phrase and Peters confession, Thou art the Christ of God. Simeon identified this baby with the pre-existent Lord of Glory, with the Christ of prophecy, the Incarnate God, the Saviour who was to work out the deliverance of the nations. Director Jon Erwin discusses his inspiration for the film and how history might be repeating itself today. He will either accept him or reject him. 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). Four characteristics are given here: From an Old Testament perspective, Simeon was a model of godliness. He will bring the revelation to non-Jewish people in order to bring Jews and Gentiles to God. However, given such information, Simeon could not have been more than 55 years old, perhaps an age considered advanced at that time. Unlike Simeon, Anna is not just visiting the Temple for the day; she is there all the time. COPYRIGHT 2023 BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY 5614 Connecticut Ave NW #343, Washington DC 20015-2604. Also see the reading below from verses 29-32 and verses 34-35. No wonder they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, (luke 2:17). 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. 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. It shows that Simeon had received a gracious dealing from God in response to his own searching for divine guidance. The older he grew the surer Simeon became that the birth of the Saviour was near. Your statement says she is the only woman in New Testament explicitly described as a prophetess. 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). One day, his parents, Joseph and Mary, took him up to the Temple to present him to God. When the divine illumination concerning Christ comes to us, we too must act immediately in submission and receive the Christ. "Yeah, you know what I really don't need this job if you are going to make me do that." 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility" (Eph 2:11-14). August 22,2014 2:02 am. Of course, no one knows how old Simeon was when God gave him this assurance. As a crowning reward of his life, God showed him that he should not die until the Christ came. Zacharias the father of John the baptist was from the house of Abija, we read in Luke 1.5. Having seen the messiah, Simeon is now prepared to die. Published November 29, 2021. The Prophecy of Simeon 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. 2 Nangyari, nang mga araw na iyon, na lumabas ang isang batas mula kay Augusto Cesar na nag-uutos na dapat magpatala ang buong sanlibutan. He was sincere and he was known to be, as we say today, above reproach. Out of their poverty, Joseph and Mary presented a pair of turtledoves and the price of redemption. He prayed, "God, You kept Your promise, and I have The telemarketer called and asked me if I had received my car keys in the mail last week. According to the gospel, Mary and Joseph took the Infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days (inclusive) after his birth to complete Marys ritual purification after childbirth, and to perform the redemption of the firstborn son, in obedience to the Torah (Leviticus 12, Exodus 13:1215, etc.). The wisdom of Almighty God is unsearchable! Its very well written; I love what youve got When that Child came into the world, he brought nothing but a soul. I really didn't care about $15,000 at that moment. At that circumcision ceremony babies were given their name. The pairing of Simeon and Anna reflects Lukes penchant for male-female parallelism when he writes about the recipients of divine blessing and salvation. The presentations by all, are excellent and non-controversial. 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. 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. He sees the Christ child with his own eyes and finds fulfillment. how old was simeon when he saw jesus Simeon . God gave her a job to do and she is doing it. Treasuring God at one level gave him eyesight to see something at another level. Wikimedia CommonsThe Greek transliteration of Jesus real name , Isous, and the late Biblical Hebrew version Yeshua. May Almighty God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit and Christianity be our guiding lights, our safety nets and our inspiration for loving happiness with Almighty God! 2:25 Now a man named Simeon was in Jerusalem. Thus, Simeon was speaking not of the Saviour but of the apparatus fitted to bring salvation. The earth-shaking miracles and wonders are . Mary then announced to Elizabeth (and the world): Mary, for example, does not fully understand what Anna immediately recognizes. He expresses this so well in verse 32, "a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.". 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. The Global Methodist Church welcomes Scott Jones, who led Methodists in Texas and had advocated for the extreme center and staying at the table., Emily McFarlan Miller - Religion News Service. 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. When Joseph was the vizier of Egypt, he held Simeon in prison until the rest of his brothers came back to Egypt from Canaan ( Genesis 42:18-19, 24 ). In addition, a gift of five shekels to the Temple was required as an acknowledgment of Gods claim over the firstborn male of the household; the child was thus redeemed from sacred duties to enter the secular life. 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. 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. . (Apparently) this was how new lambs were inspected for defects and kept unmarred for eventual sacrifice for forgiveness of sins. In referring to Alfred Plummers Commentary on Luke, (along with your proposal that Lukes women were more positive examples of discipleship) you write, 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. That is quite a leap as Luke offers only a one-line summation of her input after he quotes Simeon at length. Simeon saw the all-surpassing worth of the Messiah. In Lorenzo Lottos unusual rendition of the Annunciation, dated to 1535, Marys cat is equally frightened by the divine apparition. The religious signs, moral signs, commercial signs, political signs, Jewish signsthese all proclaim the truth declared in James 5:8! OK, so I have a slightly different interpretation when it comes to Joseph and Mary finding Jesus after hes been missing for three days. 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. "But the plans of the LORD stand firm for ever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.". 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? What an act of faith that was! "The thoughts of many hearts will be revealed." Simeon accepted the Baby Jesus as the Christ of God. Acts 4:11; 1 Pet. 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. Copyright College Park Church - Indianapolis, Indiana. Thus - Simeon was ready to welcome the Lord Jesus when He came. It is surely significant that his name means Hearing with alacrity. But the beauty is not limited here to Simeon's experience alone. 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. As in Simeons day, the message needed is, Comfort ye, comfort ye my people.. Exploring the History of Jesus Life, examine fundamental questions about Jesus of Nazareth. How old was Simeon when he introduced Jesus? We then count 3 and a half months from 1. Their hearts were right with God. He spoke an astounding prophecy about saving the world. Do you see the gospel for the beauty that it is? Elizabeth was the first to call Mary the mother of my Lord! If they acknowledge Christ, then they must be humble and bend the knee to God as their creator. I enjoyed your article and found only one flaw which to some lends itself to your research or thoroughness of it. Simeon took the baby Jesus into his arms. Luke records that Jesus' parents "marveled at what was said about him" ( Luke 2:33 ). 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. I mean not just a chuckle, but a hearty laugh. And while there they met an old man called Simeon who, upon seeing Jesus, was very moved and filled with joy and gratitude. 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. The glorious hope of the Saviours first advent powerfully influenced Simeons life, and the blessed hope of the Lords return should be a powerful incentive to us for holy living and sacrificial service - look up Titus 2:11-13. It was the day of the year when all the candles, that were used in the church during the coming year, were brought into church and a blessing was said over them so it was the Festival Day (or mass) of the Candles. He was a good man. Romans 11:33-34 and Isaiah 40:28. 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. This is a stand that is very difficult for me to follow how one gets there, since Mary was told by Gabriel, John (to be the Baptist) at 6 mos responded, Elizabeth told her, again all the torment when she rtnd from Elizabeths, the shepards and the wise men the woman would have had to of had amnesia not to know. 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. Copy. Lukes Christmas story is full of surprising reversals of fortunes and roles, in which outsiders become more intimate associates than family members, and in which women play a more active role then men. On the next day we who were Pauls companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. The word Messiah, in Hebrew, and the word Christ, in Greek, mean: Anointed One. The Bible does not mention his age at all , but it does say he A widow . "Yeah, I know that you are going to kill me, but I won't recant on my belief in Christ.". Verse 26 makes this clear! 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. "A sword will pierce through your own soul also." Godly people are supremely satisfied with a costly gospel. He saw him as the beauty of God saying, "Promise Fulfilled." was saying and revelling himself at this age God had her back on this one! How did the 2nd February come to be called Candlemas ? birthing the sacrificial lambs for the nearby temple, as some scholars claim, then this sign would present some I like the stress on Mary and Joseph as good parents who nevertheless dont get it. 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. As you celebrate this holiday, exchange gifts, enjoy days of rest, and time with family - I just want to remind you that this holiday is about the glory and the beauty of the gospel! 27 The Spirit led Simeon to the Temple. Mary startles when Gabriel and God the Father appear in her home and interrupt her prayers. You seem to have forgotten about Elizabeths greeting to Mary many months before Mary met Anna at the temple. I was really trying to politely end the call. "Yeah, I know that we could buy that, but we'd rather give our money away." See something we missed? He could not be as he did not fulfill the requirements, i.e. How many nieces and nephew luther vandross have? Simeon told Mary & Joseph that Jesus would be a helper for people. He saw one of the most important events in world history! A similar hope is beating in many hearts today, even while the darkness deepens in political, educational, moral, and spiritual things. Can you be godly through seasons where God makes you wait? This account is reminder to all of us that this day is not just about time with family or wonderful expressions of love. 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). The story of Simeon is a reminder that this Christmas season is essentially about the far-surpassing joy that a personal relationship with Christ brings. I said that I had not. All men will not accept Jesus. "Yeah, I know you'd probably leave your husband, but I'm going to believe that God can restore our marriage." 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.".