my name is david snyder. 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 2:22-24). COPYRIGHT 2023 BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY 5614 Connecticut Ave NW #343, Washington DC 20015-2604. 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. The gospel is rooted in God's faithfulness. Amen! I believe it's more likely he was already getting up there in years and he was beginning to worry. Simeon's testimony was great in that he said that he saw the salvation in Jesus and Jesus was the one whom the Father had prepared before the face of all the people and also that Jesus was the light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of His people Israel. When Jesus was 40 days old Mary and Joseph traveled to the temple in Jerusalem for another ceremony. He saw one of the most important events in world history! I enjoyed your article and found only one flaw which to some lends itself to your research or thoroughness of it. redemption. Jesus Brings Revelation to the Nations. news about the Christ Child to everyone in Jerusalem looking for 19 Feb, 2021 3 Pilgrimage Paths from Galilee to Jerusalem, Dating the Oldest New Testament Christian Manuscripts, The Bethesda Pool, Site of One of Jesus Miracles. God is testing us everyday and has given us the right to make our own choices. One issue does provide some hesitation for me though. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. In Lukes birth narrative, Mary is the first to be told that Jesus will be the messiah. The Bible does not tell us his age, but one thing is very clear he was a very, very old man.But he was the man who recognized Jesus was the savior even with his dim eyes. This is the gospel - full of hope, rooted in God's faithfulness, spread to all people, and the most glorious news in all the world! Acts 4:11; 1 Pet. Deuteronomy 19:15 stresses the importance of having two witnesses to validate an event. THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE. That is also why she stood at the cross and did not kneel. For such a learned scholar he does not read throughly all of Luke. At the Temple scene, Mary definatly shows she knows this by how she address him after looking for him for three days. She is not shaking in her boots because inwardly Jesus is the Son of God. I like the stress on Mary and Joseph as good parents who nevertheless dont get it. So Mary and Joseph left Bethlehem, traveled the six miles up to the city of Jerusalem. Consolation meets us in our. "The Holy Ghost was upon Simeon." This describes a special experience of anointing known to a noble company of God's people in all ages. Luke portrays the rise of a form of Judaism that would rely on the testimony of women as well as men, and that would empower them once again to fulfill roles like Miriam of old. Notice also that the Holy Spirit always leads to and glorifies the Lord Jesus - compare verse 27 with John 16:13-14. Simon Peter was also Simeon had an insight into dispensational truth, as verses 30-32 indicate. www.yourchurch.com. Unlike Simeon, Anna is not just visiting the Temple for the day; she is there all the time. Director Jon Erwin discusses his inspiration for the film and how history might be repeating itself today. Also read Numbers 8:17 and Numbers 18:14-1, The angel Gabriel spoke to Mary about the birth of Jesus, An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, Angels praised God for the birth of Jesus, Jesus at 40 days old was taken to the Temple, Magi traveled from the East to find Jesus, King Herod the Great plans how to kill Jesus, Timeline for Birth of Jesus The Christmas Story, Background Information Birth of Jesus The Christmas Story. She spread the 30 The angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. She didnt understand why he And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call him Jesus. 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Verses 22-24 tell us what is happening here. He waited for the consolation of Israel, the Messiah, the Lords Christ. Nice job Susanna! In verse 32 he stated that the Lord Jesus was to be, first, a light for revelation to the Gentiles; and second, for glory to your people Israel. Therefore, the ages of Simeon and Anna are very important. Interestingly, in both, the woman is portrayed as the more positive example of discipleship. Simeon finds them coming into the temple, takes the child in his arms, and offers a beautiful prayer of thanksgiving to God. Simeon got it and he saw it! Simeon went to the temple and held the Christ Child, and Also, he will be a sign that will be opposed. The peace that Simeon is talking about is linked to two phrases - "according to your word" and "for my eyes have seen your salvation." It shows that Simeon had received a gracious dealing from God in response to his own searching for divine guidance. It was through this child that sin could permanently be forgiven. And while there they met an old man called Simeon who, upon seeing Jesus, was very moved and filled with joy and gratitude. Simeon, who saw the baby Jesus, was neither an apostle or 6 months later, thus about December Jesus was conceived in Mary, and born 9 months later which gives us September for the birth of Jesus which is the time of the feast of Sukkoth which is now fullfilled in the coming of the Word of God to dwell among us in a human body: Greek skenos means tent and figuratively the human body . In Hebrew Baby Names the meaning of the name Simeon is: Obedient; listening; little hyena. 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. Healing the man blind from birth in John 9:1-7. Nisan till the begnning of the service of the house of Abija, which gives us end June as the earliest possible conception date for John, when his father Zacharia went home after his templeservice and went to his wife. He is a godly man who is satisfied with a gospel that is a beautiful and costly treasure. Let us know if corrections need to be made. According to Luke 2:2224, [Joseph and Mary] brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord [quoting Exodus 13:2, 12]) and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons [based on Leviticus 12:28].. See Alfred Plummer, Luke, International Critical Commentary (Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1905), p. 71. We then count 3 and a half months from 1. When the parents brought the child Jesus to do for him what was customary under the Law, 28 Simeon took the infant in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace according to your promise, According to Luke, Mary treasures the angels message, but does not fully understand it. When he heard the account given by Mary and Joseph to the priest, he interrupted the process of dedication by taking the Child in his arms and making a great spiritual prophecy under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. He saw the Savior before He died. 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. It will not make sense to them, and honestly it shouldn't. There is no great incentive to holy living than to believe, to live and to labour in the conviction that the Lord Jesus is coming again look up 1 John 3:3. Mary was the first to have the good news announced to her, but Anna is the first woman to understand fully and proclaim the good news. It wasnt that Mary had forgotten that Jesus was also the Son of God that she didnt understand. That Child, by the combining in him of a divine nature and a human nature through a virgin birth, was the prepared apparatus to work out salvation for the world. 27 Led by the Spirit, he went into the Temple. Mary was required to make an offering at the temple (Leviticus This answer is: Study guides. disciple. Central to Simeon's spiritual eyesight was a deeply rooted godliness. Like the disciples who will follow her, she is driven to bear witness to what she has seen. Exploring the History of Jesus Life, examine fundamental questions about Jesus of Nazareth. He was satisfied with the gospel. According to the Biblical account, Simeon had been visited by the Holy Spirit and told that he would not die until he had seen the Lords Christ. 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? disciple. 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. 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! Perhaps she was part of some sort of order of widows (Luke tells us her husband died after only seven years of marriage) who had specific religious functions in the Temple. GOD THE FATHER, HOLY SPIRIT, JESUS AND MARY AT THE TEMPLE In the biblical Joseph narrative, when Joseph, having settled in Egypt, asks his brothers to bring Benjamin to him, he takes Simeon hostage to ensure that they return. Published November 29, 2021. Who were the models in Van Halen's finish what you started video? They likely would have communicated to her the sign they had been given by What is that point? Rather, it was the summit of his life-long experience with God. I really didn't care about $15,000 at that moment. He prayed, "God, You kept Your promise, and I have 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. To be a follower of Christ means that we have declared that nothing is more important, lovely, attractive, and worthy than Jesus! referred to as Simeon, in which case he was both an apostle and Additionally he was not a direct descendant of David. Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. Simeon made a prophetic and powerful predictive statement about Jesus and the purpose of His life. Simeon instantly and independently recognizes Jesus as messiah. The story of Simeon is a reminder that this Christmas season is essentially about the far-surpassing joy that a personal relationship with Christ brings. 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. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God (Eph 2:19). Copyright College Park Church - Indianapolis, Indiana. and lain in a manger as they were being inspected for blemishes that would disqualify them for sacrifice. Simeon at the Temple is a figure in the Gospel of Luke. Doesnt it say that they thought he had gone mad? Like Simeon, let us believe the word of the Lord and rejoice in this as our ground of confidence. God gave her a job to do and she is doing it. There were many details concerning the incarnation about which he was not at all clear, but of the fact that the Lord would come he was positive. Its very well written; I love what youve got Which she knows fullwell, she had pondered this in her heart. Seems to me like they didnt get it. The word Messiah, in Hebrew, and the word Christ, in Greek, mean: Anointed One. Peace is not linked to an absence of conflict or pain, but to the assurance that God keeps His word. Simeon spoke to Mary, Jesus' mother. This account is reminder to all of us that this day is not just about time with family or wonderful expressions of love. Simeon knew that Jesus was special. Thus Simeon describes himself as free, released from the heavy burden of life. 12:). The reason we assume him to be old is that when he holds Jesus in his arms, he says to God, "Now you are letting your servant depart in peace." He may have been old, but not necessarily so. Simeon . For the Holy Spirit to rest upon a man is the highest experience God has for him. 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. Zacharias the father of John the baptist was from the house of Abija, we read in Luke 1.5. The Global Methodist Church welcomes Scott Jones, who led Methodists in Texas and had advocated for the extreme center and staying at the table., Emily McFarlan Miller - Religion News Service. December 21, 2008 College Park Church, What Simeon Saw: Lessons From a Satisfied Old Man. 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. Wikimedia CommonsThe Greek transliteration of Jesus real name , Isous, and the late Biblical Hebrew version Yeshua. The Law also allowed, in the cases of poverty, for two pigeons or turtledoves to be offered instead of a lamb. ANNA. However, there is one very important thing which we are told about him, and that is that day by day, as he lived and worked, he was waiting for the consolation of Israel (Luke 2:25); that is, he was waiting for and living in the expectation of the coming of the Messiah. According to Matthew and Luke, however, Joseph was only legally his father. In response, Mary made it quite clear to Gabriel that she understood: You and I, who live in the light of the second coming of Christ, have the same glorious word of assurance. Simeon takes Jesus in his arms and praises God: Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel (Luke 2:2832). Mary then announced to Elizabeth (and the world): 2:7, 8). The Spirit had prepared him to meet Jesus at the correct moment and had providentially brought them together. That hope motivated the righteous in Simeons day to hold on to the things of God despite the terrible events happening round about them. When Simeon saw Jesus he took Him in his arms and praised God. This is the time Simeon and Anna saw Jesus. Thus - Simeon was ready to welcome the Lord Jesus when He came. Jesus mouthing off to his mother in public after they have been frantic after losing him in a larger metropolitan area for three days. Simeon praised God. outfit new lambs in protective coats, especially in cold weather. A little Child who was conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of a virgin was to be the means of the deliverance of Gods people. Verse 26 makes this clear! An old man called Simeon lived in Jerusalem. 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. The nunc dimittis of Simeon emphasizes the end of a long vigil of waiting. The Holy Spirit allowed Simeon to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. He was waiting for the time when God would help Israel. . I see this in Simeon's personal statement, "For my eyes have seen your salvation" (2:30), and from Luke's account of Anna's actions, "And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for the redemption of Israel" (2:38). What are the 4 major sources of law in Zimbabwe? SCRIPTURE, proclaims elizabeth asking in wonder, how is it that the MOTHER of my LORD comes to me? i could go on and on. Simeon saw Jesus there, and he picked Jesus up in his arms. This man was righteous and devout. How old was Jesus when simeon and Anna saw him. Many, many years before Jesus came to earth as a baby, God had given Moses laws for His people to obey. In referring to Alfred Plummers Commentary on Luke, (along with your proposal that Lukes women were more positive examples of discipleship) you write, Yes, a messiah has arrived, as Simeon recognizes, but, as the prophetess Anna suggests, a new era, with a new and living voice of prophecy, has at the same time dawned. That is quite a leap as Luke offers only a one-line summation of her input after he quotes Simeon at length. 27 Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. Your email address will not be published. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to . When that old man went out of the world he took nothing but a soul. The author of Luke often used repetition to ensure certainty among his readers, so the story of Simeon was immediately followed by the story of Anna the prophetess. And that was when we both started laughing. Feeding the 5000 in John 6:5-14. Are there verses I have missed about her memory leave her?>, [] Witherington IIIs full letter Mary, Simeon or Anna: Who First identified Jesus as Messiah? is permitted on-line during no cost. Have something to add about this? Seven Signs Changing water into wine at Cana in John 2:1-11 the first of the signs Healing the royal officials son in Capernaum in John 4:46-54. May we be as ready to welcome the Lord Jesus when He comes the second time as Simeon was to welcome Him when He came the first time - look up Revelation 22:20! They were devout in their worship and righteous in their dealings with their fellow men. 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). The redemptive offerings, the Day of Atonement, the Passover, all spoke to them of the coming Christ. Simeon was righteous and devout, and the Holy Spirit was with him. Simeon was described as devout and just and was a part of the remnant of Gods people. His meeting of the Christ-child was not an anomaly or a spiritual aberration. 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. "Well," she said, "I have good news. This is the time Simeon and Anna saw Jesus. A widow . The doctors of the Law may have been dead spiritually, but these remnant people, who saw the reality contained in the Law and the Prophets, were alive to what God was doing. Apparently sacrificial lambs were wrapped (swaddled) at birth 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus . By this time Simeon was a very old man. No doubt they related to the officiating priest some of the things that had happened in connection with the birth of the Child, and Simeon, an old man who was awaiting the advent of the Messiah, overheard them. What distinguishes Simeon is not his position, but his godliness. Granted it is glorious and attractive, but it is not safe. The presentations by all, are excellent and non-controversial. 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. Simeon the priest was a very old man , could be in his late seventies. 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. I love the balance that Simeon has - the kind balanced spiritual eyesight that we all need. Who is Katy mixon body double eastbound and down season 1 finale? God could have prolonged his life anyway without a word. Now, as Simeon lived just prior to the first advent and anticipated the first coming of the Lord Jesus, so you and I today live just prior to His second advent and should be anticipating His return. Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: by Mark Vroegop. It was the day of the year when all the candles, that were used in the church during the coming year, were brought into church and a blessing was said over them so it was the Festival Day (or mass) of the Candles. Brown adds, however, that Luke does not leave Mary on the negative note of misunderstanding. In this, Mary contrasts sharply with Simeon and Anna, two elderly individuals who happen to be in the Temple when Joseph and Mary bring the infant Jesus to Jerusalem for the first time. You can be sure God the father and Holy Spirit let Him know about it. We learn (vs 25) that he lived in Jerusalem. Read Understanding []. Mary, Simeon or Anna by Ben Witherington III originally appeared in Bible Review, Winter 2005. Looking at Jesus inspired him in two ways: the feeling of . Combine a one-year tablet and print subscription to BAR with membership in the BAS Library to start your journey into the ancient past today! He would not die until he saw for himself the coming Messiah. Gabriel made it quite clear to Mary who is Jesus: 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. Shes pondering all right, shes pondering just how hard shes gonna tan his little hide when she gets him home. 26 The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Simeon, a right living and very devout man of faith, was frequently in the Temple meditating, and in a constant state of anticipation of the most significant foretold event in the Jewish faith the arrival of the Jewish Messiah. 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.