A tour to the pyramids of Giza will reveal some fascinating facts Simeon in the Bible (pronounced Sim-ee-uhn) was a devout and just man. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call him Jesus. Simeon is ready to die - he is at peace - because he has seen the future hope of Israel and the world. Rather in 2.51 [his mother treasured all these things ] he stresses her retention of what she has not yet understood and her continuing search to understand.2. i know PROTESTANTS dont credit private interpretations. In fact, people may even laugh at your Christ-centered satisfaction. 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. He has mercy upon those who fear him, from generation to generation; he has done valiantly with the strength of his arm, driving the proud astray in the conceit of their hearts; he has put down the mighty from their seat, and exalted the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty-handed. Let us know if corrections need to be made. However, given such information, Simeon could not have been more than 55 years old, perhaps an age considered advanced at that time. birthing the sacrificial lambs for the nearby temple, as some scholars claim, then this sign would present some Home / / how old was simeon when he saw jesus. It was this little child who would life a sinless life, declare words of life, and then absorb the wrath of God so that the creator God and his people could be reunited. If Mary were first to know, then surely Elizabeth was second, or if Mary did not realize, then Eizabeth was first to know. The older he grew the surer Simeon became that the birth of the Saviour was near. 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. 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. 26 The Holy Spirit told Simeon that he would not die before he saw the Christ promised by the Lord. Even better, Mary understood that she had indeed been greatly blessed, and that all generations would call [her] Blessed. Anna wasnt there to tell Mary something she didnt already know. Let a man be confronted with Christ as a supernatural person, one born without a human father, brought into the world through the womb of a virgin, as the apparatus of redemption, and he will reveal his own hearts condition by his attitude toward this supernatural Christ. 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. All you need to do is come down to our service center to learn about our products, pick up your keys, and you will have chance to start a 2006 Chevy Blazer. must be consecrated to the Lord. The Book of Luke records just two narratives about Jesus childhood: His dedication (Luke 2:21- 40) and His time at the temple when He was 12 years old (Luke 2:41-52). 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. Copyright 2023 College Park Church. And that is what we are going to examine today: what did Simeon see when he looked into the face of the Messiah. Jesus at the age of twelve accompanies Mary and Joseph, and a large group of their relatives and friends to Jerusalem on pilgrimage, according to the custom that is, Passover. wish to examine some-more about his analysis? The jewish year in ancient Israel times began in spring, the month of Nisan ,which is about our March/April . 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. How old was Jesus when simeon and Anna saw him?Jesus was approximately 40/41 days old at the time His mother, Mary was required to make an offering at the temple (Leviticus 12:). Required fields are marked *. 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 2:28-32). how old was simeon when he saw jesus. Simeon finds them coming into the temple, takes the child in his arms, and offers a beautiful prayer of thanksgiving to God. Jesus real name , Yeshua, evolved over millennia in a case of transliteration. The darkness of nineteen centuries has not been able to overcome that light, nor can the darkness of evil forces today extinguish the light of hope, faith, and love kindled by the coming of Jesus Christ. 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. Unlike Simeon, Anna is not just visiting the Temple for the day; she is there all the time. He saw the gospel clearly, and he was a satisfied man. The redemptive offerings, the Day of Atonement, the Passover, all spoke to them of the coming Christ. 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. God told Simeon that he would see Jesus who was the Son of God. This required the presentation of a lamb, or for those who were poor, of two pigeons. How old was Simeon when he saw Jesus?Simeon the priest was a very old man , could be in his late seventies. Luke 2:25-35 disturbing images regarding jesus future. As Paul put it in Ephesians 2:19 - no longer strangers or foreigners, but fellow citizens! The Holy Spirit allowed Simeon to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. 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, And nobodys recognizing John the Baptists testimony to knowing who Jesus wasfrom the womb! You see, treasuring godliness and the worth of the gospel are tested when following Christ costs you something. The secret of a life that is pleasing in the sight of men and well-pleasing to God is the filling of the Holy Ghost - look up Ephesians 5:18. He was doing just that - listening day by day, hour by hour, and moment by moment for the sound of the footsteps of the Son of God whose coming was drawing near. website? Just ponder that for a moment with me: God appointed the future execution of son. What did Simeon do when he saw Jesus? Simeon took the baby Jesus into his arms. He expresses this so well in verse 32, "a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.". 2:25 Now a man named Simeon was in Jerusalem. Anna is the first in a line of prophetic disciples who will speak about Jesus to all who were looking for the redemption of Israel. Wiki User 2011-01-25 . Read Understanding []. "But the plans of the LORD stand firm for ever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.". In Hebrew Simeon means: hearing or listening. Leviticus 12:1-8 gave clear instructions that after the birth of a child a woman was ceremonially unclean. 35 Indeed, a sword will pierce your own soul, too, so that the inner thoughts of many people might be revealed. Simeon gets very personal here with Mary telling her that she will suffer greatly by the suffering of her son. So, I'd like to call you to be like Simeon - a man supremely satisfied with a costly gospel. This lesson is about Simeon, an old man, who had a special hope fulfilled by God. They likely would have communicated to her the sign they had been given by Ipinanganak si Jesus. The thoughts of men's hearts will be revealed by what they do with Christ. Thus Simeon describes himself as free, released from the heavy burden of life. 26 The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Mary, Simeon or Anna by Ben Witherington III originally appeared in Bible Review, Winter 2005. Luke wants to show that both of these people have been patiently waiting for the Messiah. Copy. Under the impulse of the Spirit, he had come to the Temple and was performing his devotions when Jesus arrived. The pairing of Simeon and Anna reflects Lukes penchant for male-female parallelism when he writes about the recipients of divine blessing and salvation. Healing the paralytic at Bethesda in John 5:1-15. No wonder they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, (luke 2:17). 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. Verse 26 makes this clear! Simeon declared, Mine eyes have seen thy salvation. The Child is here equated with Gods salvation. She is 84 years old, according to Luke, and she does not want to die: She wants to proselytize. It was God the Fathers and Holy Spirits job to prepare Jesus until he was ready to start His ministry. my name is david snyder. The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would die before he saw the degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from the University of Durham in England. 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 nunc dimittis of Simeon emphasizes the end of a long vigil of waiting. He had a personal encounter with Jesus, and foresaw Christ's future crucifixion. This apparatus was prepared by God for the salvation of all people. Plus, even before Mary was with the Apostles during Christs ressurecction, she also (quite a few years before) told Jesus friends (Apostles) to do what he tells them at the wedding in Cana! I enjoyed your article and found only one flaw which to some lends itself to your research or thoroughness of it. Gospel account The episode is described in Luke 2:4152. 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. Therefore, the ages of Simeon and Anna are very important. He was a good man and very religious. It is . 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. Mary at the Cana wedding sensed, maybe with the Holy Spirits nudging, that perhaps this was the time for Jesus to reveall him self in a big way. It's interesting to compare Mary's 40 days of . She became a widow after seven years of marriage to her husband. . It seems that Luke wants to make this scene very personal for Simeon and Anna. Anna was the prophetess who saw Jesus when he was presented in the temple by his parents. We are told this in verse 25, and it means that his life was honest and upright in the eyes of men. Does not detract from the subject matter, but some would doubt your research capabilities. Notice how the text describes him. When the divine illumination concerning Christ comes to us, we too must act immediately in submission and receive the Christ. See Alfred Plummer, Luke, International Critical Commentary (Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1905), p. 71. The event occurred when Joseph and Mary brought the Child to the Temple to present him to the Lord, according to the law of Moses. August 22,2014 2:02 am. (We know that the eighth day after birth is the first of the following 33 days because the account also says that after the birth of a daughter a mother waits twice as long, specifically 14 + 66 = 80 days.) When Simeon saw Him for whom his soul had been longing, he took Him in his arms. When Simeon saw Him for whom his soul had been longing, he took Him in his arms. What impresses me about Simeon is the powerful mingling of righteousness, Spirit-empowerment, and faith to take God at His Word. This. He would not die until he had seen Jesus. 1. He took Jesus in his arms, held him close and began to bless the Lord. Simeon went to the temple and held the Christ. Consolation meets us in our. If it starts, you get to keep the vehicle." The Holy Ghost was upon Simeon. This describes a special experience of anointing known to a noble company of Gods people in all ages. was saying and revelling himself at this age God had her back on this one! the angels (you will find the babe swaddled and laying in a manger.). The presentations by all, are excellent and non-controversial. Its amazing all the women named or not named. Simeon does not know that years later Paul will write these words: "11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands- 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE. 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. God is testing us everyday and has given us the right to make our own choices. Simeon is so satisfied in the beauty God's ability to keep His word. Now we turn briefly to Simeon's farewell to the world (2:29-35). Harold John Ockenga is president of Gordon College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Wenham, Massachusetts), positions he assumed after serving as pastor of Park Street Church in Boston for over thirty years. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 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. "A sword will pierce through your own soul also." Healing the man blind from birth in John 9:1-7. 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. This answer is: Study guides. COPYRIGHT 2023 BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY 5614 Connecticut Ave NW #343, Washington DC 20015-2604. We then count 3 and a half months from 1. To be a follower of Christ means that we have declared that nothing is more important, lovely, attractive, and worthy than Jesus! Like the disciples who will follow her, she is driven to bear witness to what she has seen. To look for the Messianic Age is a consolation to all believers in every critical time. 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. Some of the biggest misunderstandings come from people who are related to Jesus. 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. The Law also allowed, in the cases of poverty, for two pigeons or turtledoves to be offered instead of a lamb. The text states that Simeon was eventually subdued by Manasseh, and imprisoned. Mary, for example, does not fully understand what Anna immediately recognizes. Simeon's prayer captures the beauty of the gospel: He begins his praise to God with an expression of ultimate satisfaction in God and it is tied to the word peace: "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace," (v 29). Simeon recognised Jesus as the Christ as soon as he saw him, and blessed the young family. The Book of Luke records just two narratives about Jesus ' childhood: His dedication (Luke 2:21- 40) and His time at the temple when He was 12 years old (Luke 2:41-52). 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. And while there they met an old man called Simeon who, upon seeing Jesus, was very moved and filled with joy and gratitude. Luke uses the story of his life and meeting of the Christ-child to make a very important point for Theophilus, the Roman ruler for whom this book is written. Simeon knew that Jesus was special. They had dedicated the baby Jesus according to the law of Moses, and they traveled to Jerusalem each year to celebrate Passover. She was very old, around 84 years old when she saw Jesus in the temple.Refer also to Luke 2:36-38. He is a godly man who is satisfied with a gospel that is a beautiful and costly treasure. The Holy Ghost is the author of all scripture (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21), and the great message of the scriptures concerning the future is that Jesus is coming again - look up John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 John 3:1-3). 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? She didnt understand why he Mary also tells the Archangel Gabriel she agrees to having the Son of God. The holy family had made its little pilgrimage from Bethlehem to Jerusalem, a distance of about five miles, to accomplish what was called the purification of Mary. 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. Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to Simeon. So we know from this that Jesus was 7 + 33 = 40 days old at the time of this ceremony. Brown adds, however, that Luke does not leave Mary on the negative note of misunderstanding. May God give us the kind of spiritual eyesight to see it and lives to live it! I believe it's more likely he was already getting up there in years and he was beginning to worry. outfit new lambs in protective coats, especially in cold weather. Another assumption that is often made is that Simeon was a priest. Published November 29, 2021. Nice job Susanna! How did he meet the test of life? I like the stress on Mary and Joseph as good parents who nevertheless dont get it. I love the balance that Simeon has - the kind balanced spiritual eyesight that we all need. 30 because my eyes have seen your salvation, Mary and Jesus. He then took the six-weeks-old baby in his arms. 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 was a righteous and devout man who lived in Jerusalem. Verse 26 tells us that God had revealed to him that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord's Christ. Verse 28 gives us a beautiful picture. i was searching for private visions by people who have had additional explanations, suvh as the annunciation. 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. He waited for the consolation of Israel, the Messiah, the Lords Christ. 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. He also saw Mary standing by that cross, pierced in heart at the suffering of her child. Simeon got it and he saw it! According to the gospel, Mary and Joseph took the Infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days (inclusive) after his birth to complete Marys ritual purification after childbirth, and to perform the redemption of the firstborn son, in obedience to the Torah (Leviticus 12, Exodus 13:1215, etc.). husband passed away seven years after her wedding. . For the Holy Spirit to rest upon a man is the highest experience God has for him. 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). That is enormously comforting, especially if this Christmas is one that is filled with hard providence for you. The neuter gender is used for the word salvation. Their patient waiting is now being fulfilled as Simeon and Anna both converge in temple area and meet the Messiah face to face. Messiah. The Holy Spirit was in him. It will not make sense to them, and honestly it shouldn't. The Spirit had prepared him to meet Jesus at the correct moment and had providentially brought them together. "Yeah, I know you'd probably leave your husband, but I'm going to believe that God can restore our marriage." God gave her a job to do and she is doing it. 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.

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