news about the Christ Child to everyone in Jerusalem looking for 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. Luke's point for Theophilus is that this Christ-child is the one that God-fearing, law-keeping, and faith-filled people looked for. To share this article with your friends, use any of the social share buttons on our site, or simply copy the link below. how old was simeon when he saw jesus - casessss.com 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. While considering Dr. Witheringtons question, I would like to ask, How about Elizabeth, wife of Zachariah, whose response to Marys arrival plainly states that the Spirit revealed to her the identity of the unborn Messiah? Luke 1:41-43 reads, When Elizabeth heard Marys greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 2) Im not sure why Simeons reaponse has to be considered less than Annas? He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And that was when we both started laughing. Simeon instantly and independently recognizes Jesus as messiah. They likely would have communicated to her the sign they had been given by 1. What a gift that God had given him! Simeon accepted the Baby Jesus as the Christ of God. Nice job Susanna! This is a stand that is very difficult for me to follow how one gets there, since Mary was told by Gabriel, John (to be the Baptist) at 6 mos responded, Elizabeth told her, again all the torment when she rtnd from Elizabeths, the shepards and the wise men the woman would have had to of had amnesia not to know. He saw him as the beauty of God saying, "Promise Fulfilled." Your email address will not be published. 8:14). Barbara Simeon on LinkedIn: #customerexperience #sounddecisionmaking # She, too, recognizes Jesus as messiah, but she has a very different reaction: At that moment, she came and began to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:38). The Spirit gave Simeon divine revelationit was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lords Christ. The word translated revealed is actually a divine response. In the active tense the word means to transact business, to make an answer to those who seek advice. The use of the word in the passive bespeaks revelation made by God in response to the seeking of man. Why does Gary Soto's work seem autobiographical? He kept the law inwardly and outwardly, looked for the Messiah, and the very presence of God was in his life. They have much to speak into our context. . "A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel" (Luke 2:32) Romans 11:33-34 and Isaiah 40:28. God holds our every breath. This. birthing the sacrificial lambs for the nearby temple, as some scholars claim, then this sign would present some In Hebrew Baby Names the meaning of the name Simeon is: Obedient; listening; little hyena. This answer is: Study guides. anyones radar, so I think Mary indeed had a lot to mull over as she put all the extraordinary information Pastor Mark Schlamann Sermon on St. Luke 2:22-40 Your email address will not be published. Called to Gift - United Church of Christ Didnt Jesus family try to kidnap him at one point during his ministry. 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). 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].. Wiki User 2011-01-25 . . website? 3 Pilgrimage Paths from Galilee to Jerusalem, Dating the Oldest New Testament Christian Manuscripts, The Bethesda Pool, Site of One of Jesus Miracles. Jesus was never the Messiah ! He loved God. Notice also that the Holy Spirit always leads to and glorifies the Lord Jesus - compare verse 27 with John 16:13-14. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility" (Eph 2:11-14). God is testing us everyday and has given us the right to make our own choices. 26 The Holy Spirit told Simeon that he would not die before he saw the Christ promised by the Lord. So Mary and Joseph left Bethlehem, traveled the six miles up to the city of Jerusalem. 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 2:25-35 ESV). When that Child came into the world, he brought nothing but a soul. 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. ANNA. He held him and knew that one day this baby would call people to choose between God and themselves. Wouldn't it be awesome if that was our view of life when it comes to the gospel? Mary and Joseph marvel at what Simeon says about him (v 33) and then he says something stunning to Mary: "This child is appointed" Simeon knew and Mary and Joseph were only beginning to fully understand that this little baby was part of massive plan determined even before the foundations of the earth (Eph 3:11, Heb 4:3, Rev 13:8). Jesus Brings Revelation to the Nations. This is the time Simeon and Anna saw Jesus. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to . The Holy Ghost was upon Simeon. This describes a special experience of anointing known to a noble company of Gods people in all ages. She is not shaking in her boots because inwardly Jesus is the Son of God. Central to Simeon's spiritual eyesight was a deeply rooted godliness. Simeon asked God to allow him to "depart in peace, according to Your word" (verse 29). When Joseph (far left) and Mary (left of center) bring baby Jesus to the Jerusalem Temple, they are greeted by Simeon, who embraces the baby, and Anna, the New Testaments only prophetess, shown at right with a scroll, in this 1342 tempera painting by Ambrogio Lorenzetti. He prayed, "God, You kept Your promise, and I have Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to Simeon. Also see the reading below from verses 29-32 and verses 34-35. What Simeon Saw: Lessons from a Satisified Old Man In the free ebook Who Was Jesus? However, given such information, Simeon could not have been more than 55 years old, perhaps an age considered advanced at that time. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Lords Messiah. (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.). Simeon recognised Jesus as the Christ as soon as he saw him, and blessed the young family. "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. Simeon went to the temple and held the Christ. By this time Simeon was a very old man. together regarding her first born. And at the outset of a long chain of such prophetic insights stand Simeon and Anna, one satisfied that prophecy has been fulfilled and the other pointing to the future, a future as bright as the promises of God. In Lorenzo Lottos unusual rendition of the Annunciation, dated to 1535, Marys cat is equally frightened by the divine apparition. Simeon takes the Child Jesus in his arms and blesses God in order to present it to the Lord. As a sword would pierce his heart, so figuratively a sword of suffering would pierce Marys heart. In these Old Testament types and experiences, they saw Christ. He proclaims its rising, and he asks to be relieved from the post he has occupied so long. She may have been able to undertake this role in the Temple because she was no longer in periodic states of ritual impurity caused by menstruation. As Christians, we should be known for our absolute honesty, our truthfulness, our dependability and our moral integrity. He has written over thirty books, including The Jesus Quest and The Paul Quest, both of which were selected as top Biblical studies works by Christianity Today. 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. Central to the beauty of what Simeon sees is the breadth of what all of this means: "that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples." They were devout in their worship and righteous in their dealings with their fellow men. Home / / how old was simeon when he saw jesus. A remnant of Gods people are looking for another prophetic fulfillmentthe advent of the Messiah in glory, attended by his angels, to establish justice and peace on earth. 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. Jesus real name , Yeshua, evolved over millennia in a case of transliteration. When at last they find him listening to and asking questions of the teachers in the Temple, Mary asks, Child, why have you treated us like this? 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.). Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce this material in any format provided that you do not alter the content in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. Elizabeth proclaims How is it that the mother of our Lord should come to me? My bet is even if Mary, as you infer, had no idea who Jesus was, then Elizabeth was the first to notify her of the significance of Jesus. Feeding the 5000 in John 6:5-14. 27 Led by the Spirit, he went into the Temple. In fact, he is so satisfied that having held the Christ-child he is now ready to die! . I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the structure of your Simeon's Farewell to the World | Desiring God Share your feedback here. And while there they met an old man called Simeon who, upon seeing Jesus, was very moved and filled with joy and gratitude. He knew Jesus was the Son of God. Notice, in Luke 2:25-35, some of the characteristics of this man who waited for the coming of Christ: He had no doubt about this, as we learn from verse 26. The older he grew the surer Simeon became that the birth of the Saviour was near. Verse 25 tells us this, and it means that while he was honest and upright in the sight of men, he was holy (as the word really means) in the sight of God. Simeon and the Child Jesus | Christianity Today 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! Our digital archives are a work in progress. In this beautiful scene, the aged Simeon takes the Baby Jesus up in his arms and expresses his delight and joy to God in a brief prayer. Verse 28 gives us a beautiful picture. The very order of Simeons prophecy foretold that Israel would believe in this Child. was a very old man, and was waiting to see the messiah and die. He holds the Th.B (Westminster Seminary) and Ph.D. (University of Pittsburgh). How old was Simeon when he saw Jesus in the temple? And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call him Jesus. Simeon realizes that Jesus is the Messiah - Catholic Courier 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. I think one of the things Mary was pondering in her heart must have related to the Shepherds visit He was satisfied with the gospel. Who was Anna? Now we turn briefly to Simeon's farewell to the world (2:29-35). Peace is not linked to an absence of conflict or pain, but to the assurance that God keeps His word. 7. Until a chance encounter with my moms old Bible opened my eyes. Just ponder that for a moment with me: God appointed the future execution of son. blessed the family. "For a sign that is opposed." Simeon is so satisfied in the beauty God's ability to keep His word. On the next day we who were Pauls companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Surely youll recall how the unborn John the Baptist leaped in his mothers womb at the presence of Mary and the unborn baby Jesus? 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! In what has become known as the Nunc Dimittus, Simeon's poetic blessing to God a few verses later, Simeon recognizes the fulfillment of God's promised salvation as "a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel" (vv 30-32; see Isa 9:1-2; 40:5; 42:6; 49:6; 52:10; etc). At that circumcision ceremony babies were given their name. He had been baptized and already started gathering his disciples. 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. The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would die before he saw the And God has graciously given us signs by which we may know that the second coming of His Son is very near. Raymond E. Brown and Karl P. Donfried, eds., Mary in the New Testament (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1978), pp. This practice carried over into English: in the King James Version, the name Simeon Niger is spelt Simeon . When Simeon saw Jesus he took Him in his arms and praised God. For the Holy Spirit to rest upon a man is the highest experience God has for him. How old was Simeon when he introduced Jesus? Lukes Christmas story is full of surprising reversals of fortunes and roles, in which outsiders become more intimate associates than family members, and in which women play a more active role then men. 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. Another assumption that is often made is that Simeon was a priest. I made the telemarketer laugh. Of course, no one knows how old Simeon was when God gave him this assurance. They had dedicated the baby Jesus according to the law of Moses, and they traveled to Jerusalem each year to celebrate Passover. Four characteristics are given here: From an Old Testament perspective, Simeon was a model of godliness. about the historical past and tradition of historical Egypt. how old was simeon when he saw jesus Simeon lived in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he saw the Messiah whom God had promised his people. 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. Simeon saw Jesus there, and he picked Jesus up in his arms. 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. Wiki User. As Paul put it in Ephesians 2:19 - no longer strangers or foreigners, but fellow citizens! Oh to have the world know this about the followers of Christ. Verses 22-24 tell us what is happening here. Simeon was a righteous and devout man who lived in Jerusalem. Its very well written; I love what youve got He is now considered one of the top evangelical scholars in the world, and is an elected member of the prestigious SNTS, a society dedicated to New Testament studies. Mary, Simeon or Anna: Who First Recognized Jesus as Messiah? Hey, if the Holy Spirit tells Simeon he will not die till he sees the Messiah, and if hes been waiting his entire life perhaps, and hes faithful and in the temple and he comes and serves as that second witness ~ that may be Gods total will for his lifes ending, different from Annas, but just as powerful. Luke 2:25-38 ICB - Simeon Sees Jesus - Bible Gateway My soul magnifies the Lord; my spirit has found joy in God, who is my Saviour, because he has looked graciously upon the lowliness of his handmaid. how old was simeon when he saw jesus. Anna was 84 years old, and she stayed in the temple serving God. Ben Witherington III is Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary and on the doctoral faculty at St. Andrews University in Scotland. What did Simeon do when he saw Jesus? . To me, this is a powerful image and one that begs a very important question - "What did he see?" 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 . He is not identified as a priest, or ruler. Luke 2:25-35 How old was Jesus when simeon and Anna saw him? There are critical moments in life when everything depends upon immediate submission to the impulse of the Spirit. Who Was Simeon at the Temple According to the Bible? Mary startles when Gabriel and God the Father appear in her home and interrupt her prayers. If they acknowledge Christ, then they must be humble and bend the knee to God as their creator. He was a prophet and teacher. For some reason, Simeon, alone of all people, had been promised that he would not die before he saw the Lord's Anointed (Christ). How did the 2nd February come to be called Candlemas ? For such a learned scholar he does not read throughly all of Luke. bringing peace to earth and rebuilding the temple. Simeon does not domesticate the gospel or the 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. Mary, Simeon or Anna: Who First Recognized Jesus as Messiah? Simeon sang when he saw the infant Christ - and we still sing today. 30 because my eyes have seen your salvation, Simeon waited and watched for the Babe of Bethlehem, and you and I are to wait and watch for the Lord who said, I will come back, and take you to be with me (John 14:3). Sign up to receive our email newsletter and never miss an update. After Pushing for UMC Unity, Former Bishop Joins New Denomination, I Was the Proverbial, Drug-Fueled Rock and Roller, Jesus Revolution Director: Were at the Forefront of a Return to God, Christian Conservationists Sue to Protect Ghana Forest, Complete access to articles on ChristianityToday.com, Over 120 years of magazine archives plus full access to all of CTs online archives. The wisdom of Almighty God is unsearchable! A suffering messiah was not yet on How old was simeon when he saw jesus - Calvary Chapel Augusta That light was symbolized by the Star of Bethlehem, which shone in the dark night when the Prince of Life came into a world torn by avarice, hatred, and war. Simeon the priest was a very old man , could be in his late seventies. Do you follow Christ even when it proves costly? 161162. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus . GOD THE FATHER, HOLY SPIRIT, JESUS AND MARY AT THE TEMPLE 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. Thus, Simeon was speaking not of the Saviour but of the apparatus fitted to bring salvation. i was searching for private visions by people who have had additional explanations, suvh as the annunciation. Simeon met baby Jesus and blessed Him, in fulfillment of a promise to Simeon from God. The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would die before he saw the Messiah. The nunc dimittis of Simeon emphasizes the end of a long vigil of waiting. Furthermore, Joseph seems to be Marys equal regarding getting it. Lets not forget that God spoke to Joseph in dreams and he obeyed each time. 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.