Dr. Bradford Reaves
CrossWay Christian Fellowship
Hagerstown, MD
www.mycrossway.org
This morning, I want to take you back to a man only mentioned 1 time in the New Testament. Yet he is someone who fascinates me. Simeon is an old man described as “righteous and devout.” What fascinates me about him is his expectancy to see the Christ based entirely on the promise given to him by the Holy Spirit.
We have all kinds of expectations for this time of year, don’t we? We follow all sorts of beautiful customs and traditions that seem to embellish a nostalgia not found in other celebrations. But, for the believer in Jesus Christ, there should be a duplicity in our lives at Christmas that we see in Simeon. Yes, we should glance behind us and see the glory of the coming of the Messiah. I think there is terrific symbolism in all the symbolism associated with celebrating his birth. But at the same time, Christmas should remind us that we are also looking forward to the promises yet to come. In other words, the Promise of Christmas and all the prophetic fulfillment connected to Jesus’ first Advent should spur in us a hunger, like in Simeon toward his Second Advent.
In reality, there were very few who were mentioned in Scripture who were earnestly aware of the climate of the world that indicated Christ’s arrival to earth. Simeon being one, Anna (whom we will look at next week) being another, the Magi (who are basically pagan astrologers), and then Zechariah, Elizabeth, Joseph, and Mary since they received angelic visits with explicit messages of what is about to happen.
For the most part, the world went about its business, not really looking at the world and asking, “What’s going on?” Like the world then, people are too busy worried about the economy, political upheavals, the trials and stresses of life, making ends meet, if the Rams are going to beat Baltimore today, and so on. There are plenty of distractions in the world.
Then there is Simeon. Simeon is mentioned only by Luke among the gospel writers. He enters the scene and departs from view just as quickly. Yet his inclusion, as with nearly all of Luke’s accounts, brings incredible value to what is being conveyed in the gospel. For most of us, we read through this as a sideline of the story. An old sage is waiting for the prophetic fulfillment of the Christ child. Yet there is so much we can learn from him.
I. Coming to the Temple
And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 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 2:21–24 ESV
We have to set the scene first before we can fully understand what Simeon is about. There are 32 days that separate verse 21 from verse 22. Eight days after being born, a Jewish boy is circumcised. Jewish boys were circumcised as an outward distinction as being set apart for God. This was part of God’s covenant with Abraham:
10 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Genesis 17:10–12a ESV
The significance of the circumcision was to be far greater than a physical distinction because it was to represent the distinction of the heart:
Circumcise yourselves to the Lord; remove the foreskin of your hearts, O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it, because of the evil of your deeds.” Jeremiah 4:4 ESV
But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. Romans 2:29 ESV
So Mary and Joseph, being devout Jews, bring Jesus to the temple in accordance with Jewish law to have him circumcised. Now, in verse 22, Luke continues the narrative for the purification. This second purification happened forty days after the birth of the child. That’s when the mother would bring a sacrificial offering - 2 turtle doves or 2 pigeons. A woman was ceremonially unclean for 40 days after childbirth and according to Old Testament Law (Lev 12:4) and this sacrifice is for her purification. Additionally, Joseph and Mary are bringing Jesus and an offering of 5 Shekels to dedicate him to the Lord (Luke 2:22-23). The 5 Shekels was a ransom of silver that every firstborn male had to give to the Lord.
So Joseph, Mary, and Jesus are coming into the Temple and they could only go as far as the Court of Women. The area would be full of people and activity so nothing about what they are doing that would be unusual. Among all those people would be an old man named Simeon.
II. The Remnant
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. 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 (Luke 2:25–28)
At first glance, there is nothing known about Simeon because there is nothing outside of these few verses to tell us more about him. But let’s zoom out just a little with the bigger picture and identify a couple of things: First, the Jewish people in Israel were relatively shallow in their faith. They were Jews by name only. They did proper Jewish things outwardly, but inwardly, they were distant from God. The fact of the matter is that given the events of the world and the timing, everyone should have been looking for the Messiah as prophetically, and the time and location of his arrival. The religious leadership of the day was not interested in the plans of God, they were only interested in making sure their religious system functioned property. Additionally, Israel was not a sovereign nation as a light to the world. Israel was under the secular and pagan rule of the Roman. Ironically, these conditions were also prophetic and necessary to facilitate the coming of Messiah Jesus.
There are 456 Old Testament prophesies concerning Jesus’ first coming. The ability to predict the 456 specific events of a person’s life hundreds of years prior is mathematically impossible. Professor Barry Stoner, after examining only eight different prophecies, estimated that the chance of fulfilling just eight prophecies was one in 10^17. To illustrate how large the number 10^17 is, the professor gave this illustration: Suppose that we take 10^17 silver dollars and lay them on the face of Texas. They’ll cover the state two feet deep. Now mark one of these silver dollars and stir the whole mass thoroughly, all over the state. Blindfold a man and tell him that he can travel as far as he wishes, but he must pick up the one silver dollar that has the special mark on it. The chance he picks up the silver dollar that is marked is 10^17. That’s just 8 prophesies. The greatest mathematical estimates Stoner was able to complete was for just 48 prophesies, which is 10^157. Jesus fulfilled 456. Should we be awake?
There was a remnant of people who were devoutly watching and awaiting the Christ for no other reason than because that was God’s promise to them. The condition of the world only intensified their resolve. Simeon was one of those people.
The name Simeon means, “God has heard.” We gather from Luke’s account that Simeon was an old man. The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would not die until he saw the Christ (Luke 2:27). Upon seeing Jesus. He says, “Ok God, now I can die” The arrival of Joseph with Mary and Jesus puts his soul at peace. By the way, there is nothing outwardly extraordinary about Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. They’re common people at the temple doing common things.
Simeon is a remnant of true, believing Jews who are singularly focused on God’s plan. Luke describes Simeon as “righteous and devout” (Luke 2:25). The phrase may not seem to jump out very much, but it is powerful in contrast to the days and the condition of Israel I just described to you. If a man is considered in God’s eyes, “righteous,” it is because of his faith in God and not of his works or self-righteousness. Simeon was righteous because his trust and his faith were singularly placed in the coming of the Messiah, Jesus. He is a true believer.
Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:44)
Secondly, he is described as devout. In other words, he is concerned about only the things of God. Some versions translate this as “cautious” which I also like. In other words, he lived his life carefully and cautiously to obey God and to honor God because of his faith in God. His heart was circumcised. That’s the kind of character we all should emulate.
A manifestation of Simeon’s devotion and righteousness was that he was “waiting for the consolation of Israel.” The essence of the consolation of Israel is rooted in the coming of the Messiah
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. Isaiah 40:1–2 ESV
Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. Isaiah 40:10 ESV
Thus says the Lord: “In a time of favor I have answered you; in a day of salvation I have helped you; I will keep you and give you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages, Isaiah 49:8 ESV
For the Lord comforts Zion; he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song. Isaiah 51:3 ESV
So Simeon is holding onto the Word of God and promises of God in His Word and the Holy Spirit was upon him. That’s important. He hears the Word of God, “It is written.” And because he Hears and believes, the Holy Spirit is upon. It’s not for display, or show. It is not set him apart for a specific responsibility and it usually has to do with speaking for God. But don’t let this pass you by either because this is not the first time Luke says this. In Luke 1:15, we’re told the Holy Spirit would be on John the Baptist; in Luke 1:41 we see that the Holy Spirit comes upon Elizabeth; Luke 1:46 we see it with Mary, and then again in Luke 1:67 with Zechariah after he names John the Baptist. I think it is safe to say that it is the Holy Spirit on Simeon that reveals the arrival of Jesus in the Temple.
III. The Blessing
And he came in the Spirit into the temple. 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.” (Luke 2:27–32)
What an amazing scene we see, and this is the testimony Luke zeros us in on today. I’ve had man a privilege to be a part of Divine appointments, but this one must’ve been glorious. This old man is leaning against the stone wall when into the court of the women comes Joseph with Mary and Jesus to do what all good Jewish families do. Suddenly the Spirit stirs his heart and Simeon and approaches the family. There is an elation of Joy all over him as he scoops this little baby not even 6 weeks old into his arms and holds him warmly against his body. I imagine he probably even held him up before him to look upon him and then kisses his face. And then he “blesses God” (Luke 2:28)
“I’ve seen your Messiah, Lord. I held him. With that consolation, you may set me free from this world. The waiting, the watching, and the anticipation are over. For my eyes have seen your salvation.” What an incredible place for you to be at in your relationship with God. Can you say today, “God I’ve witnessed the fullness of your promise in my life. I have seen your face and I am content to die.”
The benediction to the blessing is just as amazing:
And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:33–35 ESV)
What Simeon said of Mary and of Israel came to pass just as he said. His language is so vivid. If you follow the earthly ministry of Jesus, you know what happens. The whole nation of Israel turns against him. They have him crucified. Only that little faithful remnant would rise and the rest would fall over the rock of offense and the stone of stumbling
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. (Psalm 118:22)
Joseph and Mary must’ve been in awe. Sword? Rise and fall of many?
He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, (John 1:11–12)
Simeon turns toward Mary. Perhaps prophetically, he saw Mary at the foot of Jesus’ cross: 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. (John 19:26–27)
Can you imagine the heart of Mary and her life? To go through all that she did with her betrothal, pregnancy, the trip to Bethlehem, and eventually to Calvary and see the Messiah that she bore for God now naked and being crucified by the people he came to save?
My prayer today is that there is a Simeon in every believer today. That we would be a remnant that is earnestly awaiting the fulfillment of all things. You can look around the world, see beyond your own circumstances, and realize that God has a master plan in motion and you are a part of it. The question is are you ready for that fulfillment? Is the Spirit stirring inside of you? Are you hungry for His Word, like Simeon? Even more, are you hungry to see His Word fulfilled.
