Two Significant Senior Saints

TWO SIGNIFICANT SENIOR SAINTS

“And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 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. So he came by 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, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: ‘Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation.” Luke 2:25-30

I. SIMEON

A. Who Simeon Was

1. One who was a righteous and devout man, advanced in age

“And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout,” (v. 25a)

2. One who awaited the consolation of Israel: coming of Messiah: “…waiting for the Consolation of Israel,” (v. 25b)

3. One who was anointed by the Holy Spirit: “…and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” (v. 25c)

4. One who was taught by the Holy Spirit: “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.” (v. 26)

5. One who was led by the Holy Spirit: “So he came by the Spirit into the temple.” (v. 27a)

B. What Simeon Did

1. “…he took Him up in his arms”

2. “…and blessed (thanked) God and said: ‘Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word;

3. He blessed (praised) God for having lived to see the Messiah: “…For my eyes have seen Your salvation.”

C. What Simeon Said

1. Confessed Jesus as his Savior: “For my eyes have seen Your salvation.” (v. 30)

2. Declared the universality of God’s salvation: “Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel." (v. 31-32)

3. After blessing Joseph and Mary, he prophesied “and said to Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel…” (v. 34a)

4. He prophesied the hostility Jesus would experience: “…and for a sign which will be spoken against….” (v. 34b)

5. He prophesied the great sorrow Mary would experience:

“yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (v.35)

II. ANNA

A. Who Anna Was: “Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, (v. 36-37a)

B. What Anna Did And Said: “…who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.” (37b) “…and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” (v. 37b-38).