Luke 2:25-35
Place: Jerusalem (vv.21-22) They brought him to Jerusalem. The purpose was to present him to the Lord according to the law of Moses. (v.21) His name was called JESUS , a name given by the angel and this was made clear again on the 8th day of his birth at his ceremonial circumcision. (v.22) According to Mosaic Law every Hebrew male child is to be presented before the Lord. This took place in Jerusalem after 40 days. The background passage is Leviticus 12.
Time: The time would put us about 40 days after Jesus was born. Joseph and Mary’s offering would be either a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. This was the offering from folks who were too poor to give a lamb. Their offering would have been a lamb had the wise men made a visit to them. The treasures given by the Wise Men would not have exactly made them poor. We know the wise men came later. According to Matthew 2 the wise men came to the house where Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus were staying in Bethlehem. What we are reading here in Luke 2 happens before the visit of the Wise Men. If you notice in Luke 2:39 "they returned into Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth". Luke does not include Herod sending soldiers to kill all the babies age two and under as you read in Matthew 2. Also, Joseph is warned in a dream to take Mary and the baby Jesus to Egypt to escape the death threats from Herod. In another dream Joseph is told that Herod has died and he then returns to Galilee to the town of Nazareth.
What was on people’s mind: (v.25) It is said of Simeon that he was waiting for the consolation of Israel. This is a title of the Messiah. (v.38) Anna speaks to everyone who was looking for redemption in Jerusalem. Maybe not from everyone, but at least there was some sense of the coming of the Messiah by the Jews. The Messiah came and sadly, they missed him. He grew up in their land and walked in their streets. He taught in their temples and performed miracle after miracle, but they did not receive Him as their Messiah. It is as John 1:11,12 says 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Not everyone recognized the baby Jesus as the Messiah. How did Simeon come to see the baby Jesus as the Messiah?
1. Simeon believed in Jesus. The Bible says in v.25 he was righteous and devout. Notice the order of the words: "righteous and devout". The word "Righteous" comes first and it speaks of his inner life and the word "devout" comes second and speaks of his outward devotions and service to God. A person may be devout, or religious and not be righteous. His devotions can be about the wrong things and to the wrong god. The Nigerian man who tried to blow up that plane in Detroit a few days ago was no doubt devout in his belief, but you can’t say he was righteous. The terrorist may have the greatest devotion to his cause. He is devout but not righteous. He is not right. But Simeon was righteous. His righteousness was not a self-righteousness. It was an imputed righteousness. He knew the scriptures that said this of Abraham:
Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
By faith Abraham saw the salvation of the LORD in the distance. Abraham told his son, Isaac, that the Lord will provide himself a Lamb. The Old Testament saints looked by faith forward to the coming of the Lamb of God. Simeon was among those Old Testament saints who embraced the baby Jesus and looked forward to the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. He says to Mary "…(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed." He looks forward to the crucifixion of the Savior.
Simeon could say my eyes have seen your salvation. He was a believer.
To see Jesus for who He really is, you must be a changed person. You must come to have a righteousness that brings you into a right relationship with God. You must place faith in Jesus Christ. Only from Christ do we receive an imputed righteousness that makes us acceptable before God.
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2Cor. 5:21)
This righteousness, which we receive by faith, gives us a new perspective. We, too like Simeon can say, ’my eyes have seen your salvation’.
Not only did Simeon believe in Jesus, he demonstrated belief by waiting for Jesus.
2. Simeon waited for Jesus. "waiting for the consolation of Israel"
That may seem to be a useless way to spend one’s life, but waiting for the arrival of Jesus proved to be a great blessing to Simeon. We don’t know how long Simeon had been waiting, but it appears to have been a long time. How did Simeon know what to look for? How did he know the Consolation of Israel, or the Messiah would be a baby? God revealed this information to him. Simeon knew just like God sent angels to tell the shepherds where to find the Messiah. All Simeon had to do was to wait. Waiting can be the hardest thing to do. Someone said, "Good things come to those who wait."
How soon have people left without getting directions to a certain place, and later wished they had waited . Impatience has caused many folks to miss a lifetime opportunity to meet some celebrity. We have no time to wait. We want everything to be instant. Noah had to wait for a period of 120 years in the preparation of the Ark. Abraham had to wait on God’s promise of giving him a son. The early church had to wait on the promise of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. (see Luke 24:49)
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Isaiah 30:18 Therefore the Lord is waiting to show you mercy, and is rising up to show you compassion, for the Lord is a just God. Happy are all who wait patiently for Him.
1Thess. 1:10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
Many people miss out on seeing Jesus simply because they have no time and no interest in waiting. Simeon waited and His waiting paid off. His waiting gave evidence that he was definitely a true believer.
3. Simeon submitted to Jesus. "and the Holy Spirit was upon him"
We know Simeon believed in Jesus and waited on Jesus, but how can you say he submitted to Jesus? Jesus was only a baby. How do you submit to a baby? Jesus was more than a baby. In the arms of Mary was the Creator of the universe. In the arms of Mary was God in human flesh.
See Philippians 2:5-11
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
1Cor. 12:3 Therefore I am informing you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
(v.25) the Holy Spirit was upon him …... to empower him
(v.26) the Holy Spirit revealed to him……... to teach him
(v.27) the Holy Spirit led him to the temple……... to show him.
Here we see the empowerment by the Spirit. The teaching ministry of the Spirit. The discerning ministry of the Spirit.
What was it that gave Simeon the faith to keep on waiting and waiting? The Bible says the Holy Spirit was upon him. Where did Simeon get information as to where to go to find Christ? And how to find him? The Bible says it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit….. The Bible says and he came in the Spirit into the temple….
Much is said about the Holy Spirit in these verses to show us that apart from the Spirit’s ministry you cannot see the salvation of the Lord. Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:5
Jesus answered, “I assure you: Unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. There is the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. There is the revealing and convincing work of the Holy Spirit. There is the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit.
"Born of water" refers back to a passage in the Old Testament. Nicodemus knew this scripture in Ezekiel. God would make His people clean and put His Spirit in them.
Ezekiel 36:25-27
25 I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.
26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
27 I will place My Spirit within you and cause you to follow My statutes and carefully observe My ordinances.
Simeon saw the salvation of the Lord because of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. This is our prayer this morning. May the Holy Spirit descend upon us that we will see the salvation of the Lord. This is what we are to see:
According to v.31 Christ is for all peoples.
According to v. 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles….
No one can remain neutral about Jesus. (v.34) "this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel…" Some people will rise and believe in Christ, and others will fall in unbelief. No one stands neutral. No one straddles the fence. I pray the Holy Spirit will come upon us like Simeon and we will see the salvation of the Lord. May our God open the eyes of our heart to behold him for Who He is.
4. Simeon embraced Jesus. He took him up in his arms and blessed God
Simeon believed in Jesus. He waited for Jesus. He submitted to Jesus.
He also embraced Jesus. Simeon did not have this experience with Christ at a distance. He literally took him up in his arms. Simeon did not speak fifty feet away. We are talking about a close encounter, a personal encounter. That’s what real believers do. They come to embrace the Lord Jesus. They don’t come to just learn facts about the Lord. They come to embrace Him, to love Him, and to have something to do with him. Simeon did not come like Martha in the kitchen and just work hard to do things for the Lord. Martha became so infuriated at her sister, Mary who only sat at the Lord’s feet taking in every word. That was the best thing according to Jesus. Mary chose the best part. We may do everything in service for our Lord, but the better part is to embrace Him, to love Him, to take in His Word and make Christ our greatest joy and delight.
As someone said, God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him.
Many people are only satisfied with what Jesus gives them. He gives them a new job. He gives them health. He gives them food. He gives them clothes. He gives them good things to enjoy. Simeon took Jesus up in his arms. He embraced and hugged Jesus.
Simeon says, "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace……for my eyes have seen your salvation…" I’m ready to die now…I’ve seen what I’ve longed for. I have all that I have desired for.
Jesus feed the multitude. Jesus healed the multitude of sick folks. You read in the gospel account how people followed Jesus only for the food. They followed Jesus for what they could get from Him. They had no personal interest in Him. They wanted His gifts. They looked to his hands and what his hands provided. They cared nothing to look into his face and behold Him as Lord, Savior, Redeemer and God.
5. Simeon speaks for Jesus. (v.28) he took him up…..and blessed God and said...
It was only after Simeon took him up in his arms that he began to bless God and speak wonderful truths of Christ. Jesus is a baby, but Simeon would allow Christ to use his lips to speak forth truth.
Psalm 116:10 I believed, therefore have I spoken: 2Cor. 4:13
Acts 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
• Simeon says, "I’m ready to die in peace". No one is ready to die, unless they have seen the salvation of the Lord. That’s the truth made so plain in the Gospels. The story of the rich man and Lazarus is an excellent example. Lazarus had faith in God and he was comforted with a home in heaven. The rich man had his faith in the present life and what it could offer. His death was nothing peaceful. He died not in peace, but in torment.
• Simeon says, "this salvation is for all people."
How can you embrace Christ and not speak for Him? For a professing believer to live through life and never speak of Him makes you question has such a person met this Christ. Has such a person truly embraced the Savior?
Simeon speaks…
1. Worshipfully "and blessed God" He praises God for what He has seen and experienced. His speech is God-centered; Christ-centered and Gospel-centered.
2. Biblically "according to your word" Simeon stays with what God has said. What else do we have to say? God’s Word is truth so I believed, therefore have I spoken.
3. Personally "my eyes have seen…" We can speak of what others have seen and experienced, but others want to know of your own testimony. What has the Lord done for you? Simeon says, "my eyes have seen…" I can’t speak for others, but I can speak for myself.
4. Inclusively "…your salvation that you have prepared in the presence for all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." No one is excluded. This salvation is for all people. That was the grand announcement to the shepherds. The angels said " Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." There is an old hymn that says,
I am so happy in Christ today, That I go singing a long my way,
Yes, I’m so happy to know and say, Jesus included me too.
The only person excluded are those who reject His offer
5. Prophetically "and a sword will pierce…" Simeon speaks of things to come. He spoke prophetic truth. God’s Word tells of things to come. Mary did feel the piercing pain when she saw the Lord Jesus, the very One whom she carried for nine months hanging on the cross. The Bible is a prophecy. Much of which has already come to pass. There are future events prophesied in Scriptures. Christ came as was prophesied. Christ died a substitutionary death on our behalf as was prophesied. He rose again as was prophesied. He is coming again as is prophesied. The Bible says "he is coming and every eye will see Him." Not everyone will be happy to see Jesus. He is not coming as a Lamb to die on a cross. He is coming as a Lion. He comes not to save, but to judge and to rule the nations with a rod of iron.
Have your eyes seen the salvation of the Lord? In faith call upon Christ. He is your only hope to be saved from your sins. Saved from the penalty of your sins. Saved from an eternal Hell. Saved from the wrath of God. I don’t know what the next year holds. I don’t know what the next five minutes will hold for us. I do know Jesus is coming and the time to prepare is now. Do you believe in Him? Are you committed to Him? Are you waiting for Jesus? Submitting to Jesus? Embracing Jesus? Speaking for Jesus?
Pastor Chris Gowen
229 Glenn Springs Rd
Lawrenceburg, TN 38464
chrisgowen@msn.com
