Simeon met baby Jesus and blessed Him, in fulfillment of a promise to Simeon from God. Central to Simeon's spiritual eyesight was a deeply rooted godliness. Let me first give you my thesis, and then try to show you three ways that I see this in the text. What is are the functions of diverse organisms? Simeon had the infant Jesus in his arms and, moved by the Holy Spirit, sang the Nunc Dimittis, Latin words for "now dismiss." We . www.yourchurch.com. 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. Not everyone can be a prophet, however. Perhaps she was part of some sort of order of widows (Luke tells us her husband died after only seven years of marriage) who had specific religious functions in the Temple. As Paul put it in Ephesians 2:19 - no longer strangers or foreigners, but fellow citizens! 19 Feb, 2021 Hebrew Sukkot is the plural from Suka booth, tent, tabernacle. Sign up to receive our email newsletter and never miss an update. He is a godly man who is satisfied with a gospel that is a beautiful and costly treasure. Luke's point for Theophilus is that this Christ-child is the one that God-fearing, law-keeping, and faith-filled people looked for. 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. He spoke an astounding prophecy about saving the world. 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 was described as devout and just and was a part of the remnant of Gods people. 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. "Really?" Continue Learning about Religious Studies. He will bring the revelation to non-Jewish people in order to bring Jews and Gentiles to God. See something we missed? God could have prolonged his life anyway without a word. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God (Eph 2:19). This is because in addition to being a proselytizer, Anna is a prophetess (Luke 2:36). Godly people are supremely satisfied with a costly gospel. For the Holy Spirit to rest upon a man is the highest experience God has for him. However, there is one very important thing which we are told about him, and that is that day by day, as he lived and worked, he was waiting for the consolation of Israel (Luke 2:25); that is, he was waiting for and living in the expectation of the coming of the Messiah. It was attacked by Porphyry and Celsus and other ancients, and many unbelievers center their attacks upon it today. Nice job Susanna! Simeon went to the temple and held the Christ. The Prophecy of Simeon 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. Of course, no one knows how old Simeon was when God gave him this assurance. So we know from this that Jesus was 7 + 33 = 40 days old at the time of this ceremony. He holds the Th.B (Westminster Seminary) and Ph.D. (University of Pittsburgh). 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. 26 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. A similar hope is beating in many hearts today, even while the darkness deepens in political, educational, moral, and spiritual things. God bless you and your work. Is there evidence outside of the Bible that proves he actually walked the earth? God is going global! Jesus is the one that they have been longing and looking for. And nobodys recognizing John the Baptists testimony to knowing who Jesus wasfrom the womb! To be a follower of Christ means that we have declared that nothing is more important, lovely, attractive, and worthy than Jesus! This is the time Simeon and Anna saw Jesus. 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. An old man called Simeon lived in Jerusalem. 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. 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. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 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. Simeon spoke to Mary, Jesus' mother. And that was when we both started laughing. 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. Elizabeth proclaims How is it that the mother of our Lord should come to me? My bet is even if Mary, as you infer, had no idea who Jesus was, then Elizabeth was the first to notify her of the significance of Jesus. I am surprised no one else caught this prior to publication. Simeon had long searched the Scriptures and prayed and waited for the coming of the Messiah in fulfillment of prophecy. He held him and knew that one day this baby would call people to choose between God and themselves. What is the overall storyline of jesus existence according to johns gospel. 2 Ang pagpapatalang ito ay unang nangyari nang si Cirenio ay gobernador ng Siria. outfit new lambs in protective coats, especially in cold weather. Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: by Mark Vroegop. You seem to have forgotten about Elizabeths greeting to Mary many months before Mary met Anna at the temple. Copyright 2023 College Park Church. Simon Peter was also He waited for the consolation of Israel, the Messiah, the Lords Christ. Out of their poverty, Joseph and Mary presented a pair of turtledoves and the price of redemption. Verses 22-24 tell us what is happening here. Jesus was never the Messiah ! At the Temple scene, Mary definatly shows she knows this by how she address him after looking for him for three days. Your statement says she is the only woman in New Testament explicitly described as a prophetess. Interestingly, in both, the woman is portrayed as the more positive example of discipleship. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! This lesson is about Simeon, an old man, who had a special hope fulfilled by God. We often picture Jesus taking little children in his arms, and we sing, I would like to have been with him then , but this thought of another receiving Jesus into his arms is much less familiar to us. 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. 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. 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 . Youre on the money. Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace. Blessedness and peace were his portion. A graduate of UNC, Chapel Hill, he went on to receive the M.Div. Simeon finds them coming into the temple, takes the child in his arms, and offers a beautiful prayer of thanksgiving to God. GOD THE FATHER, HOLY SPIRIT, JESUS AND MARY AT THE TEMPLE 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. In Davids time the yearly service of the highpriest priests was divided in 24 houses, each makng the service in the temple in Jerusalem for half a month. 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). 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. 2. she said. Their patient waiting is now being fulfilled as Simeon and Anna both converge in temple area and meet the Messiah face to face. 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. Simeon, who saw the baby Jesus, was neither an apostle or So Simeon was known for his godly conduct toward others. This account is reminder to all of us that this day is not just about time with family or wonderful expressions of love. By this time Simeon was a very old man. See answer (1) Best Answer. That hope motivated the righteous in Simeons day to hold on to the things of God despite the terrible events happening round about them. Simeon had been 40, then 50, then 60 years old. Exploring the History of Jesus Life, examine fundamental questions about Jesus of Nazareth. "Yeah, I know that we could buy that, but we'd rather give our money away." Simeon saw Jesus there, and he picked Jesus up in his arms. 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. 26 The Holy Spirit told Simeon that he would not die before he saw the Christ promised by the Lord. Feeding the 5000 in John 6:5-14. So we know from this that Jesus was 7 + 33 = 40 days old at the time of this ceremony. The Child was to be the shining light that would dawn in human hearts over the whole of the earth. 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. 2) Im not sure why Simeons reaponse has to be considered less than Annas? Ipinanganak si Jesus. disciple. 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). But also wanted to add two points: By this time Simeon was a very old man. He was a satisfied old man. She, too, recognizes Jesus as messiah, but she has a very different reaction: At that moment, she came and began to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:38). Who were the models in Van Halen's finish what you started video? Jesus was approximately 40/41 days old at the time His mother, Mary was required to make an offering at the temple (Leviticus 12:). He saw the gospel clearly, and he was a satisfied man. 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. The Spirit rested upon Moses, and his face shone like that. He was a prophet and teacher. 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." Simeon is so satisfied in the beauty God's ability to keep His word. 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! Christ is the touchstone of human hearts. 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. Treasuring God at one level gave him eyesight to see something at another level. I like to think it was the shepherds. He was a good man and very religious. Mary also tells the Archangel Gabriel she agrees to having the Son of God. 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. That is also why she stood at the cross and did not kneel. He expresses this so well in verse 32, "a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.". 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! Home / / how old was simeon when he saw jesus. He would not die until he saw for himself the coming Messiah. He is called "devout." He was careful about his religious observances. He had been baptized and already started gathering his disciples. Simeon praised God. According to Luke, Anna never left the Temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day (Luke 2:37). Where was he really bornBethlehem or Nazareth? Raymond E. Brown and Karl P. Donfried, eds., Mary in the New Testament (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1978), pp. And Marys Magnificent states her understanding of what is happening within her. According to Matthew and Luke, however, Joseph was only legally his father. The gospel is rooted in God's faithfulness. Simeon knows that God's target is not just Israel but all people. Gabriel made it quite clear to Mary who is Jesus: The flame of hope must have been fanned by the report spread abroad by the shepherds of the events at Bethlehem just forty days before. As in Simeons day, the message needed is, Comfort ye, comfort ye my 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. It is . She is not shaking in her boots because inwardly Jesus is the Son of God. How old was Simeon when he saw Jesus in the temple? Your email address will not be published. It wasnt that Mary had forgotten that Jesus was also the Son of God that she didnt understand. Nicely done Ben. Global Relief Fund | Earthquake Relief Efforts in Turkey and Syria. So you are saying that when the Shepards and the wise men came Mary had no idea Jesus was Messiah? Simeon had an insight into dispensational truth, as verses 30-32 indicate. Simeon told Mary & Joseph that Jesus would be a helper for people. 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). 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. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 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. 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. Bauxite mining would threaten birds, plants, and clean water. 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. was a very old man, and was waiting to see the messiah and die. IVE JUST FINISH READING ANNA IS A PROPHETESS FOUND LUKE 2:36. 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. 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. He is not identified as a priest, or ruler. 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. See Alfred Plummer, Luke, International Critical Commentary (Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1905), p. 71. If it starts, you get to keep the vehicle." Leviticus 12:1-8 gave clear instructions that after the birth of a child a woman was ceremonially unclean. 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. When Jesus was 40 days old Mary and Joseph traveled to the temple in Jerusalem for another ceremony. anyones radar, so I think Mary indeed had a lot to mull over as she put all the extraordinary information Combine a one-year tablet and print subscription to BAR with membership in the BAS Library to start your journey into the ancient past today! Simeon was so happy! 27 Led by the Spirit, he went into the Temple. 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. For these people, whether in Jerusalem or in other cities of the Holy Land, the sacrificial system of the Old Testament and the spiritual teachings of the prophets were adequate preparation for the coming of Christ. I made the telemarketer laugh. To me, this is a powerful image and one that begs a very important question - "What did he see?" The older he grew the surer Simeon became that the birth of the Saviour was near. 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. If they acknowledge Christ, then they must be humble and bend the knee to God as their creator. was saying and revelling himself at this age God had her back on this one! At the time of Jesus being dedicated to the Lord at the Temple and Mary and Joseph offering their sacrifice for purification, both Simeon and Anna recognized the infant Jesus as the Messiah and sang his praises to all around them. The violations of the Law of God, the iniquity, immorality, and injustice of their day, only deepened their desire for the fulfillment of prophecies concerning the advent of the Messiah. August 22,2014 2:02 am. 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. When Joseph (far left) and Mary (left of center) bring baby Jesus to the Jerusalem Temple, they are greeted by Simeon, who embraces the baby, and Anna, the New Testaments only prophetess, shown at right with a scroll, in this 1342 tempera painting by Ambrogio Lorenzetti. Didnt Jesus family try to kidnap him at one point during his ministry. The Holy Spirit allowed Simeon to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Now, as Simeon lived just prior to the first advent and anticipated the first coming of the Lord Jesus, so you and I today live just prior to His second advent and should be anticipating His return. 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. Simeon described the Child as a light to lighten the Gentiles. The Gentiles refers to the nations other than Israel. 2021 Calvary Chapel Augusta - WordPress Theme : by, Who was with jesus on the mount of transfiguration, Jesus came to seek and save those who were lost, What happened after jesus rose on the third day, What was jesus wrapped in when he was born, Why did jesus go to the desert for 40 days, What is church of jesus christ of latter day saints. 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! Your email address will not be published. When that old man went out of the world he took nothing but a soul. Wouldn't it be awesome if that was our view of life when it comes to the gospel? disciple. When at last they find him listening to and asking questions of the teachers in the Temple, Mary asks, Child, why have you treated us like this? 2:7, 8). I mean not just a chuckle, but a hearty laugh. The peace that Simeon is talking about is linked to two phrases - "according to your word" and "for my eyes have seen your salvation." Peace is not linked to an absence of conflict or pain, but to the assurance that God keeps His word. Uffizi/Scala/Art Resource, NY. Mary, Simeon or Anna by Ben Witherington III originally appeared in Bible Review, Winter 2005. Brown adds, however, that Luke does not leave Mary on the negative note of misunderstanding. Luke records that Jesus' parents "marveled at what was said about him" ( Luke 2:33 ). 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. You and I, who live in the light of the second coming of Christ, have the same glorious word of assurance. It shows that Simeon had received a gracious dealing from God in response to his own searching for divine guidance. 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. He was waiting for the time when God would help Israel. must be consecrated to the Lord. To share this article with your friends, use any of the social share buttons on our site, or simply copy the link below. 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). The Spirit came upon the disciples at Pentecost, and they enjoyed power. 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). Do you follow Christ even when it proves costly? We have an extra set here at our office. Biblical Archaeology Society, [] Witherington IIIs full essay Mary, Simeon or Anna: Who First Recognized Jesus as Messiah? is accessible online for free. 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! 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. She spread the Simeon lived in Jerusalem. "A sword will pierce through your own soul also." husband passed away seven years after her wedding. It is surely significant that his name means Hearing with alacrity. When Simeon saw Him for whom his soul had been longing, he took Him in his arms. Simeon appears to be a normal Jewish man. Messiah. 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 accepted the Baby Jesus as the Christ of God. I said that I had not. All that we have is the fact that Simeon was sufficiently old; he was just and devout. 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. . He saw him as the beauty of God saying, "Promise Fulfilled." They were devout in their worship and righteous in their dealings with their fellow men. Put all of that together and what you have is a very costly gospel. Just ponder that for a moment with me: God appointed the future execution of son. What are the 4 major sources of law in Zimbabwe? God is being gracious to Israel, but Simeon knows that God's grace is going to overflow the borders of this small nation. "But the plans of the LORD stand firm for ever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.". That is enormously comforting, especially if this Christmas is one that is filled with hard providence for you. This practice carried over into English: in the King James Version, the name Simeon Niger is spelt Simeon . According to the Biblical account, Simeon had been visited by the Holy Spirit and told that he would not die until he had seen the Lords Christ. By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. The picture presents the contrast of age and of youth, of one nearing the end of the journey of life and one at the beginning. Now he sees his long-desired Star. 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. 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. "Oh," I said, "I really don't like Chevy Blazers". Under the impulse of the Spirit, he had come to the Temple and was performing his devotions when Jesus arrived. The jewish year in ancient Israel times began in spring, the month of Nisan ,which is about our March/April . The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would die before he saw the Messiah. Simeon went into the church in Jerusalem. Healing the paralytic at Bethesda in John 5:1-15. 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. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
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