"Hope For The Future” Simeon

“Hope For the Future”

What a joy it is to hold a newborn baby. I was working on our family history album and found a photo of Colleen holding in her arms our first grandchild. There are many more photos of grandparents holding our grandchildren in our arms. Everyone of them has the adoring grandparent smiling, looking into the face of the new infant. In that moment you realize that a new generation has arrived. It is hard to describe the emotions when holding your new born grandchild.

Your thoughts are often private. You realize that there is a future they will live and experience. And you will not. Mary and Joseph knew that God had spoken an astonishing promise about their son…but they had no idea of God’s final plan. Mary and Joseph were doing with Jewish parents do They traveled to the temple to dedicate their first born son to the Lord.

Upon arriving they are met by Simeon. I can see the old man Simeon. His face is wrinkled with the years. His hands, showing his age, as he takes this baby in his arms, he is looking into the very eyes of the long-promised Messiah. He was looking into a future not yet lived.

Simeon and Anna both lived to an old age but they never lost hope in God. They waited patiently for the Messiah, devoted themselves to the worship of God. The Temple became their home away from home. Their hope in God was rewarded when Mary and Joseph entered the temple. They had come as good Jewish parents to offer the required sacrifice for the baby’s dedication.

Simeon knew that the autocrat dictator, Herod still ruled. Roman troops were still stringing up patriots. Jerusalem had its fair share of beggars. Pharisees still demanded respect. Showing off their long tassels and phylacteries. Phylactery is a small black box worn on one’s arm or forehead, containing verses of the Torah. Jesus would later criticize them. He called them hypocrites and white washed tombs. “Everything they do is for show. They wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verse outside but on the inside they are snakes.”

The power of Rome was undeniable. Revolts were constant. Roman Generals jockeyed for power. Government sanctioned murders were without end.

Herod, Himself, killed two of his sons and a wife. Caesar once said of Herod: “it was safer to be a pig in Jerusalem than a son of Herod.” Life was short if Herod thought you a rival for his throne. People paid their taxes, but were never sure when the rules would change. There was a longing, a hope for a better future. Would God send a Messiah has He promised? 400 years had passed since the last prophet.

By the time Simeon saw the infant Jesus, the feeding stall was occupied once again by animals. The manger only held hay. The shepherds were back to their sheep.

Simeon knew this day would come. He had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he saw the Messiah. The years were etched on his face. His step was slow and bent. Gray hair, white beard. On this particular day, God knew that Mary and Joseph would be bringing their son to the temple. Simeon was told to go. How did the Spirit tell Simeon? In a dream? A vision? We don’t know. But maybe there came a nudge, a thought…”I think I’ll go to the temple today.”

He walked through the narrow streets. Stepping carefully over cobblestones. The beggars were on the steps as usual. Pilgrims and new parents all bringing the appropriate sacrifice. Trumpets did not sound. Angels did not throw rose petals before the carpenter and his wife. So, how did Simeon know? The voice of God pointed him to Mary and Joseph. It’s that simple.

Remember Pastor Doua’s message last Sunday? He heard the voice of God at a stop light because God wanted him to know Jesus. Maybe, you’ve had it happen in your life. You are prompted to write a note. Prompted to make a phone call.

Only one person seems to grasp the mystery of the moment that God sent in

motion. Simeon recognized the baby as the Messiah. “this child,” is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel.” He gave a warning. “A sword of sorrow would pierce the heart of Mary.”

What does this story mean to us in the 21st century. How many years elapsed between the promise given to Simeon and the arrival of Mary and Joseph to the temple. I don’t know. But at some point in his life Simeon was told that he would see the Messiah. How may months and years passed. I don’t know. It makes me recall the angel’s message to Abraham and Sarah that they would have a son. Ten years went by before Isaac was born. In the meantime Abraham had flocks to manage, over 300 servants to manage. He was a traveling nomad.