how old was simeon when he saw jesushow old was simeon when he saw jesus
"A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel" (Luke 2:32) 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. When Simeon saw Him for whom his soul had been longing, he took Him in his arms. He sees the Christ child with his own eyes and finds fulfillment. There was a lady named Anna that lived in Jerusalem also. He was a faithful temple goer which means that he regularly met with God. 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. 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 article was first republished in Bible History Daily on February 12, 2013. Its very well written; I love what youve got So we know from this that Jesus was 7 + 33 = 40 days old at the time of this ceremony. about the historical past and tradition of historical Egypt. It was through this child that sin could permanently be forgiven. Oh to have the world know this about the followers of Christ. Before this baby was born an angel named Gabriel told Mary what to name Him. Mary then announced to Elizabeth (and the world): The religious signs, moral signs, commercial signs, political signs, Jewish signsthese all proclaim the truth declared in James 5:8! Jesus was never the Messiah ! 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. "But the plans of the LORD stand firm for ever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.". God told Simeon that he would see Jesus who was the Son of God. Simeon was described as devout and just and was a part of the remnant of Gods people. Who were the models in Van Halen's finish what you started video? 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. 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. He was waiting for the time when God would help Israel. We have a drawing for $15,000 cash!" 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. Required fields are marked *. 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). Now he sees his long-desired Star. In these Old Testament types and experiences, they saw Christ. When Jesus was 40 days old Mary and Joseph traveled to the temple in Jerusalem for another ceremony. Simeon went to the temple and held the Christ. Where was he really bornBethlehem or Nazareth? The jewish year in ancient Israel times began in spring, the month of Nisan ,which is about our March/April . outfit new lambs in protective coats, especially in cold weather. 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. Of course, no one knows how old Simeon was when God gave him this assurance. Your email address will not be published. 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. He was a prophet and teacher. She changed strategies, "Well, how about $15,000? His meeting of the Christ-child was not an anomaly or a spiritual aberration. 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. You can be sure God the father and Holy Spirit let Him know about it. Simon is one Latinised version of the name, the others being Simeon or Symeon. "Well," she said, "I have good news. 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). Did the Ancient Israelites Think Children Were People. I love the balance that Simeon has - the kind balanced spiritual eyesight that we all need. The Eastern Orthodox Church considers Anna and Simeon the God-Receiver as the last prophets of Old Testament and observes their feast on February 3/February 16 as the synaxis (afterfeast) following the Presentation of Christ, which Orthodox tradition calls The Meeting of Our Lord and God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Simeon knows that God's target is not just Israel but all people. A similar hope is beating in many hearts today, even while the darkness deepens in political, educational, moral, and spiritual things. And that was when we both started laughing. They were devout in their worship and righteous in their dealings with their fellow men. He will either accept him or reject him. That is enormously comforting, especially if this Christmas is one that is filled with hard providence for you. disturbing images regarding jesus future. This phrase either means that many will be humbled and spiritually raised up because of him (like the story of the publican in Luke 18:9ff), or it means that Jesus will be a stone over which some will fall and perish while others are spiritual "risen up" by God's power (see Luke 1:51-53). The passage in which Simeon blessed the baby Jesus and prophesied great things was an opportunity to prove to the readers of Luke's Gospel that Jesus was indeed the son of God. . It will not make sense to them, and honestly it shouldn't. The text states that Simeon was eventually subdued by Manasseh, and imprisoned. The Spirit rested upon Samson, and he did marvelous exploits. Simeon . 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. When Simeon saw Jesus he took Him in his arms and praised God. Gods command to us is that we should be holy (Leviticus 20:7), and His provision is the gift of the Holy Ghost who reproduces within us the holiness of the Lord Jesus Himself. And Marys Magnificent states her understanding of what is happening within her. Treasuring God at one level gave him eyesight to see something at another level. 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. I am surprised no one else caught this prior to publication. 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 . Even modern day shepherds Anna was 84 years old, and she stayed in the temple serving God. Mary and Joseph were so amazed at the things Simeon was saying about Jesus! See something we missed? 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 made a prophetic and powerful predictive statement about Jesus and the purpose of His life. wish to examine some-more about his analysis? This was Simeons one opportunity to see the Lords Christ. He loved God. Home / / how old was simeon when he saw jesus. 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. In Lukes birth narrative, Mary is the first to be told that Jesus will be the messiah. In this way Luke both prepares for and signals one of his major themes in the Gospel of Luke and in Actsthe least, the last and the lost are becoming the most, the first and the found with Jesus coming. Verses 22-24 tell us what is happening here. When that old man went out of the world he took nothing but a soul. . In the free ebook Who Was Jesus? What are the 4 major sources of law in Zimbabwe? The violations of the Law of God, the iniquity, immorality, and injustice of their day, only deepened their desire for the fulfillment of prophecies concerning the advent of the Messiah. and lain in a manger as they were being inspected for blemishes that would disqualify them for sacrifice. The Law also allowed, in the cases of poverty, for two pigeons or turtledoves to be offered instead of a lamb. Simeon must have understood that Israels conversion would be realized only after the enlightenment of the heathen and the calling out of the Church. 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. Simeon went into the church in Jerusalem. And that is what we are going to examine today: what did Simeon see when he looked into the face of the Messiah. Simeon met baby Jesus and blessed Him, in fulfillment of a promise to Simeon from God. 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. If Mary were first to know, then surely Elizabeth was second, or if Mary did not realize, then Eizabeth was first to know. And while there they met an old man called Simeon who, upon seeing Jesus, was very moved and filled with joy and gratitude. 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. 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. It wasnt that Mary had forgotten that Jesus was also the Son of God that she didnt understand. 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). We have an extra set here at our office. 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. Mary startles when Gabriel and God the Father appear in her home and interrupt her prayers. It shows that Simeon had received a gracious dealing from God in response to his own searching for divine guidance. was a very old man, and was waiting to see the messiah and die. Gabriel made it quite clear to Mary who is Jesus: 2010-07-06 11:03:12. Thus Jesus was driven by the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil. At least that seems to be what you imply. 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. That is what Simeon saw, and that is what all godly people should see - even to the point of death. He could not be as he did not fulfill the requirements, i.e. They were given a sign a baby swaddled, laying in a manger. If (as some scholars claim) this band of shepherds were those caring for the temple flocks, they would recognize this treatment. Simeon's words assert that 1) Jesus would be the salvation of the world, 2) He would deliver truth not only to those in Israel but also to the Gentiles, and 3) Jesus would bring glory upon the people of Israel. Is there a difference between Simon and Simeon? to say. 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. All rights reserved. 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. Four characteristics are given here: From an Old Testament perspective, Simeon was a model of godliness. The women are not only more receptive to the message, they are more willing to act upon it, with Elizabeth realizing that her cousin is carrying the messiah and praising God for this blessing and Anna spreading the good news. Who was Anna? Mary was required to make an offering at the temple (Leviticus 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." Just ponder that for a moment with me: God appointed the future execution of son. Their patient waiting is now being fulfilled as Simeon and Anna both converge in temple area and meet the Messiah face to face. In Hebrew Simeon means: hearing or listening. Also, what she went through when almost stone, seems many want to believe Mary just forgot all that, As well as, all the towns people. 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. He had a personal encounter with Jesus, and foresaw Christ's future crucifixion. 26 The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. He is at peace and his heart is filled with hope because he knows that God has fulfilled His promise. Several years ago I received a telemarketing call, and I did something I've never done before. The jewish month has only about 29 days .please google the theme here and you will find all detailed informations for what I wrote here. "Oh," I said, "I really don't like Chevy Blazers". 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. Under the impulse of the Spirit, he had come to the Temple and was performing his devotions when Jesus arrived. Continue Learning about Religious Studies. It is . The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would die before he saw the Messiah. Simeon declared, Mine eyes have seen thy salvation. The Child is here equated with Gods salvation. What did Simeon do when he saw Jesus? A graduate of UNC, Chapel Hill, he went on to receive the M.Div. Director Jon Erwin discusses his inspiration for the film and how history might be repeating itself today. Simeon, believed to be an old man, was waiting for the redemption of Israel, and the Holy Spirit told him that he would not die until he had see the redemption in the infant body of Christ, in the Anointed One of God. The Bible does not mention his age at all , but it does say he Can you be godly through seasons where God makes you wait? No wonder they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, (luke 2:17). The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would die before he saw the Another assumption that is often made is that Simeon was a priest. It has provided much food for thought. Like the disciples who will follow her, she is driven to bear witness to what she has seen. A widow . 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. anyones radar, so I think Mary indeed had a lot to mull over as she put all the extraordinary information 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! Simeon accepted the Baby Jesus as the Christ of God. We then count 3 and a half months from 1. The Holy Ghost was upon Simeon. This describes a special experience of anointing known to a noble company of Gods people in all ages. Simeon had the infant Jesus in his arms and, moved by the Holy Spirit, sang the Nunc Dimittis, Latin words for "now dismiss." We . God bless you and your work. He proclaims its rising, and he asks to be relieved from the post he has occupied so long. 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. It was attacked by Porphyry and Celsus and other ancients, and many unbelievers center their attacks upon it today. At the opening of Aeschyluss Agamemnon, a sentinel, set to watch for the appearing of fire that was to announce the taking of Troy, beholds at last the signal so impatiently expected, and he sings at once, both of the victory of Greece and of his own release. Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety. Jesus responds, Did you not know that I must be in my Fathers house? But, Luke reports, they did not understand what he said to them [but] his mother treasured all these things in her heart (Luke 2:4851). When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current . Jesus is the one that they have been longing and looking for. Keeping with SOLO SCIPTURUAE, we have left out the first procession of CORPUS CHRISTI, which is MARY visiting ELIZABETH. Nice job Susanna! Verse 28 gives us a beautiful picture. So what? What impresses me about Simeon is the powerful mingling of righteousness, Spirit-empowerment, and faith to take God at His Word. Anna, also old in years, had been faithfully worshiping God through fasting and prayer in the temple for 84 years. Simeon had an insight into dispensational truth, as verses 30-32 indicate. Jesus name in Hebrew was Yeshua which translates to English as Joshua. For such a learned scholar he does not read throughly all of Luke. Which scripture acknowledges by saying Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. He was obident and honored them for another 18 yrs until the God given time had come and He revelled himself by changing the water into wine at the Cana wedding. 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. referred to as Simeon, in which case he was both an apostle and 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). Thus, Simeon was speaking not of the Saviour but of the apparatus fitted to bring salvation. This practice carried over into English: in the King James Version, the name Simeon Niger is spelt Simeon . Verse 26 tells us that God had revealed to him that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord's Christ. Dig into the illuminating world of the Bible with a BAS All-Access membership. 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. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he saw the Messiah whom God had promised his people. I mean not just a chuckle, but a hearty laugh.
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how old was simeon when he saw jesus