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Never has there been a sign more spoken against than that of the Virgin Birth and its attestation to the deity of Jesus Christ, namely, that he is God with us, or Emmanuel. 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. we are in the 8th month. Learn more about Anna in Robin Gallaher Branchs Bible History Daily article Anna in the Bible.. Mary, Simeon or Anna by Ben Witherington III originally appeared in Bible Review, Winter 2005. 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. 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.". Therefore, the ages of Simeon and Anna are very important. Mary, for example, does not fully understand what Anna immediately recognizes. What is the overall storyline of jesus existence according to johns gospel. He saw one of the most important events in world history! If these shepherds were in charge of 161162. Now we turn briefly to Simeon's farewell to the world (2:29-35). Simeon was righteous and devout, and the Holy Spirit was with him. The very order of Simeons prophecy foretold that Israel would believe in this Child. husband passed away seven years after her wedding. 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. Healing the paralytic at Bethesda in John 5:1-15. Adding to what David said, Two important points, to say the least: 1. He took Jesus in his arms, held him close and began to bless the Lord. referred to as Simeon, in which case he was both an apostle and Scoffers might pour ridicule upon him for his belief, but they could not rob him of his hope, for the grounds of his confidence were sure. I made the telemarketer laugh. Nice job Susanna! Have you bent your knee and turned to Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. He had been told by God, as a much younger man, that he would definitely see the Jewish Messiah before he died. I was really trying to politely end the call. In this way Luke both prepares for and signals one of his major themes in the Gospel of Luke and in Actsthe least, the last and the lost are becoming the most, the first and the found with Jesus coming. For some reason, Simeon, alone of all people, had been promised that he would not die before he saw the Lord's Anointed (Christ). It will not make sense to them, and honestly it shouldn't. The religious signs, moral signs, commercial signs, political signs, Jewish signsthese all proclaim the truth declared in James 5:8! The telemarketer called and asked me if I had received my car keys in the mail last week. What did Simeon do when he saw Jesus? Want to learn some-more about his research? 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. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Lords Messiah. Anna was about 106 years old depending upon when she wed. It is often assumed that Simeon was an old man, but the Bible never says that. 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. Leviticus 12:1-8 gave clear instructions that after the birth of a child a woman was ceremonially unclean. See who and when the Apostles wrote their stories. "But the plans of the LORD stand firm for ever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.". Simeon made a prophetic and powerful predictive statement about Jesus and the purpose of His life. One issue does provide some hesitation for me though. Verse 28 gives us a beautiful picture. We are told this in verse 25, and it means that his life was honest and upright in the eyes of men. But the prophetic insight into Gods intentions is a gift which keeps on giving and renewing the people of God. . A teacher walks into the Classroom and says If only Yesterday was Tomorrow Today would have been a Saturday Which Day did the Teacher make this Statement? I like the stress on Mary and Joseph as good parents who nevertheless dont get it. Zacharias the father of John the baptist was from the house of Abija, we read in Luke 1.5. To share this article with your friends, use any of the social share buttons on our site, or simply copy the link below. outfit new lambs in protective coats, especially in cold weather. 27 Led by the Spirit, he went into the Temple. my name is david snyder. Simeon was a righteous and devout man who lived in Jerusalem. Mary also tells the Archangel Gabriel she agrees to having the Son of God. Amen! In John 21, Jesus is asking Peter if he really loves Him. Teaching Women of the Bible. (The same Spirit told him to go to the Temple that day, too.) 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. Messiah. 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. 2 Ang pagpapatalang ito ay unang nangyari nang si Cirenio ay gobernador ng Siria. Luke's point for Theophilus is that this Christ-child is the one that God-fearing, law-keeping, and faith-filled people looked for. Good Stuff Ben and I love preaching on Simeon and Anna over the years, thanks. Your email address will not be published. Where was he really bornBethlehem or Nazareth? Your email address will not be published. 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. And that was when we both started laughing. Jesus Brings Revelation to the Nations. If we do, we will rejoice as did Simeon on that occasion. about the historical past and tradition of historical Egypt. "Yeah, I know you'd probably leave your husband, but I'm going to believe that God can restore our marriage." how old was simeon when he saw jesus 1. She changed strategies, "Well, how about $15,000? 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. 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 ). SCRIPTURE, proclaims elizabeth asking in wonder, how is it that the MOTHER of my LORD comes to me? i could go on and on. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus . Can you be godly through seasons where God makes you wait? He proclaims its rising, and he asks to be relieved from the post he has occupied so long. 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). redemption. The thoughts of men's hearts will be revealed by what they do with Christ. Let me first give you my thesis, and then try to show you three ways that I see this in the text. See something we missed? Simeon met baby Jesus and blessed Him, in fulfillment of a promise to Simeon from God. So Mary and Joseph left Bethlehem, traveled the six miles up to the city of Jerusalem. Some of the biggest misunderstandings come from people who are related to Jesus. All men will not accept Jesus. By this time Simeon was a very old man. 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). . What is that point? Gabriel made it quite clear to Mary who is Jesus: 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? Dig into more than 9,000 articles in the Biblical Archaeology Societys vast library plus much morewith an All-Access pass. He was a prophet and teacher. "Yeah, I know that we could buy that, but we'd rather give our money away." "Really?" Required fields are marked *. What impresses me about Simeon is the powerful mingling of righteousness, Spirit-empowerment, and faith to take God at His Word. Did the Ancient Israelites Think Children Were People. Before this baby was born an angel named Gabriel told Mary what to name Him. God could have prolonged his life anyway without a word. Which scripture acknowledges by saying Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. He was obident and honored them for another 18 yrs until the God given time had come and He revelled himself by changing the water into wine at the Cana wedding. 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. If Mary were first to know, then surely Elizabeth was second, or if Mary did not realize, then Eizabeth was first to know. 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. Four characteristics are given here: From an Old Testament perspective, Simeon was a model of godliness. Continue Learning about Religious Studies. 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. Simeon takes the Child Jesus in his arms and blesses God in order to present it to the Lord. All that we have is the fact that Simeon was sufficiently old; he was just and devout. 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. How old was Jesus when simeon and Anna saw him. 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). This account is reminder to all of us that this day is not just about time with family or wonderful expressions of love. Copyright 2023 College Park Church. 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. Simon Peter was also 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. Is there evidence outside of the Bible that proves he actually walked the earth? Being first to hear doesnt always mean being first to understand. There are many speculations as to who this Simeon was although there is no record of his genealogy. He was a good man and very religious. And she wont for several years. He will either accept him or reject him. For the Holy Spirit to rest upon a man is the highest experience God has for him. God bless you and your work. The article was first republished in Bible History Daily on February 12, 2013. Anna, also old in years, had been faithfully worshiping God through fasting and prayer in the temple for 84 years. In fact, he is so satisfied that having held the Christ-child he is now ready to die! By now my food was getting cold so I said, "YeahI really wouldn't like $15,000 either." 19 Feb, 2021 Seems to me, she was there to let the rest of us know. Most of parenthood is like this for me. See answer (1) Best Answer. 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. But the story of Simeon and Anna suggests Mary had much to learn before she could enter into the Kingdom, and into the spiritual family of faith, which they already belonged to, and which is to be the primary family of Jesus in the eschatological age. Only after years of pondering the message in her heart does she become a true follower of Jesus. Museo Civico, Recanati, Italy/Scala/Art Resource, NY. Simeon's words assert that 1) Jesus would be the salvation of the world, 2) He would deliver truth not only to those in Israel but also to the Gentiles, and 3) Jesus would bring glory upon the people of Israel. Out of their poverty, Joseph and Mary presented a pair of turtledoves and the price of redemption. 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. Simeon the priest was a very old man , could be in his late seventies. What would prompt you to say, "Okay, now I'm ready to die!" Simeon declared the Child to be the glory of thy people Israel. That an Israelite should first mention Christ as the means of enlightening the heathen and then emphasize the glory of Israel was an unusual order in pre-Christian times and thinking. He was waiting for eschatological . He could not be as he did not fulfill the requirements, i.e. Simeon's righteous faith qualified him to see something incredibly special. Simeon had been 40, then 50, then 60 years old. . Here is the picture of a surrendered life - a life which recognises Jesus as the Lord, which takes the place of a bond-servant under His authority and which is completely submissive to His word. He saw this baby as the reason for his godliness. Both are quicker than Mary to comprehend who Jesus is This statement seems rather presumptive to me. Ipinanganak si Jesus. 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. 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! 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. Simeon thanked God that he was able to see Jesus the savior! Brown adds, however, that Luke does not leave Mary on the negative note of misunderstanding. must be consecrated to the Lord. 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. So you are saying that when the Shepards and the wise men came Mary had no idea Jesus was Messiah? 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. One day, his parents, Joseph and Mary, took him up to the Temple to present him to God. 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. OK, so I have a slightly different interpretation when it comes to Joseph and Mary finding Jesus after hes been missing for three days. Joseph and Mary were in at the Temple in Jerusalem for the redemption of Jesus as the firstborn and the purification of His mother, Mary, as per the Law of Moses in the first five books of the Bible. 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. Many, many years before Jesus came to earth as a baby, God had given Moses laws for His people to obey. He would not die until he saw for himself the coming Messiah. To be a follower of Christ means that we have declared that nothing is more important, lovely, attractive, and worthy than Jesus! Anna was 84 years old, and she stayed in the temple serving God. 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. Its very well written; I love what youve got To have the kind of eyesight that Simeon had we need to see three things: 1) The treasure of a godly life, 2) The beauty of the gospel, and 3) The cost of following Christ. Simeon Sees Jesus. 30 because my eyes have seen your salvation, He was waiting for the one who would comfort Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. The house of Abijahs servicetime was the number 8, thus the second half of the 4th month of the jewish year which was about June. In the Bible , Simeon was the old man who recognized Jesus as the Messiah. Uffizi/Scala/Art Resource, NY. In response, Mary made it quite clear to Gabriel that she understood: Anna begins to preach: She came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. Both are quicker than Mary to comprehend who Jesus is. According to Luke, Mary treasures the angels message, but does not fully understand it. A graduate of UNC, Chapel Hill, he went on to receive the M.Div. . 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. Wiki User 2011-01-25 . Does not detract from the subject matter, but some would doubt your research capabilities. 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? 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. The scene that Luke wants to highlight is more than just historical fulfillment. They likely would have communicated to her the sign they had been given by Godly people are supremely satisfied and they celebrate a costly gospel. He was a faithful temple goer which means that he regularly met with God. What a gift that God had given him! She was very old, around 84 years old when she saw Jesus in the temple.Refer also to Luke 2:36-38. I said that I had not. 25 A man named Simeon lived in Jerusalem. 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. 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. This answer is: Study guides. A widow . Its amazing all the women named or not named. What distinguishes Simeon is not his position, but his godliness. 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. Wouldn't it be awesome if that was our view of life when it comes to the gospel? In fact, she is the only woman in the New Testament explicitly described as a prophetess. She then stands in the line of figures like the judge, military leader and prophetess Deborah and the Jerusalem prophetess Huldah, who, in the days of King Josiah, was asked to verify that an ancient scroll (a form of Deuteronomy) discovered during Temple renovations was indeed the word of God (2 Kings 22). See Alfred Plummer, Luke, International Critical Commentary (Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1905), p. 71. But also wanted to add two points: 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. There was a lady named Anna that lived in Jerusalem also. birthing the sacrificial lambs for the nearby temple, as some scholars claim, then this sign would present some The Law also allowed, in the cases of poverty, for two pigeons or turtledoves to be offered instead of a lamb. How old was Simeon when he introduced Jesus? We then count 3 and a half months from 1. Godly people are supremely satisfied with a costly gospel. we can know when Jesus was born. Browse 60+ years of magazine archives and web exclusives. Verse 25 tells us this, and it means that while he was honest and upright in the sight of men, he was holy (as the word really means) in the sight of God. When that Child came into the world, he brought nothing but a soul. Simon is one Latinised version of the name, the others being Simeon or Symeon. Luke says of Anna: And there was Anna she was of great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow fourscore and four years, You give Anna the age of 84however considering girls were approximately 15 when wed, she lived with her husband 7 years and had been a widow 84 years. Simeon declared, Mine eyes have seen thy salvation. The Child is here equated with Gods salvation. 2) Im not sure why Simeons reaponse has to be considered less than Annas? i was searching for private visions by people who have had additional explanations, suvh as the annunciation. 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. The Spirit came upon the disciples at Pentecost, and they enjoyed power. We learn (vs 25) that he lived in Jerusalem. 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. 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! Peace is not linked to an absence of conflict or pain, but to the assurance that God keeps His word. "Oh," I said, "I really don't like Chevy Blazers". He had been told by God, as a much younger man, that he would definitely see the Jewish Messiah before he died. He is called "devout." He was careful about his religious observances. i am a veterinarian in texas and i am catholic! 1. 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.