Simeon meets Jesus

There is a misconception that Christmas is for children. Perhaps we are to blame for that. For many, Christmas has become child centered rather than Christ centered.

Fascinating stories are told to them.

Gifts are given to them.

Games are played with them.

Treats are made for them.

Luke shows us that Christmas is not just for children. It is even for the aged. Luke introduces us to two people in this passage.

Anna- an old widow. We don’t know how old she was but she was married for 7 years. She never remarried and the way the Greek reads she could have been 84 at the time or been a widow for 84 years. Either way, she is an old woman.

Then there is Simeon. We don’t know how old he was either but what we do know is:

1) He had been waiting on the Savior for a long time (25-26).

2) He was ready to die (29).

Let’s set the background for our message:

1. A young virgin has been given some startling news by an angel.

She would conceive a child by the Holy Spirit

This child would be the Son of the Most High God.

2. The young woman’s fiancé was heartbroken.

He wanted to end the betrothal.

An angel visited him:

The child was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

The child would save His people from their sins

3. The child was born in humble circumstances.

In the small village of Bethlehem.

Placed in a manger

Visited by Shepherds

4. The child was taken to the Temple.

His mother went there to observe the purification ritual required by the Law.

It is here in the Temple at Jerusalem where Simeon will meet Jesus.

1. He had been waiting on Jesus.

Righteous- He had faith in God

Devout- he lived the life

“Waiting for the consolation of Israel”

“consolation”= comfort. The people of God needed to be comforted by the news of a Savior. His soul needed comforting with the good news.

“the Holy Spirit was upon Him” even under the old covenant you couldn’t live for God without the Holy Spirit. Difference in OT and NT is the measure of the Spirit, not the presence.

The Spirit of God led Simeon and He followed. Look what the Spirit revealed to Him.

He would see the Christ child before he died (28).

He knew the Bible.

He knew Isaiah said a virgin would conceive (Isa. 7:14).

He knew Micah said a King was coming out of Bethlehem.

He sought God and one day the Lord told him “Simeon you are going to see it with your own eyes!”

Simeon knew once the child was born its parents would have to go to the Temple. I believe he went to the Temple about every day. For how long we don’t know.

Notice he was just a man.

Not a priest, not a prophet. Just a man who loved the Lord. He had no reason to be at the Temple every day.

Do you reckon he told others what God told him? I bet he did.

I bet people didn’t believe him.

Where are you going Simeon? You going back down there to the Temple to look for the Savior? We haven’t had a Word from God in 400 years.

Maybe they see Simeon going home- “Was He there Simeon? Did you see Him?”

No, but I’ll be back tomorrow. He’ll be there!

Simeon knew one day Jesus would be there.

Same as those looking for the return of Christ:

We tell others

We go to church week after week

Mocked- Where is the promise of His coming?

We see it may not be today but it will be one day.

The same was true for Ann. Verse 37 says she was at the Temple every day.

She prayed

She fasted

She worshipped

Neither of these senior saints became bitter.

Some of you have been waiting on Jesus over 80 years.

You been living for God.

You’ve been in church.

You’ve been praying.

Keep looking! He’s coming!

2. He welcomed Jesus (27-33).

One morning Simeon got up and he probably thought it was a normal day. He got ready and went to the Temple. That day a young couple came through the door. They were holding a baby.

No halos.

No spotlight

No angelic visitors

The Spirit of God spoke to Simeon: “There He is!”

Mary and Jospeh were not there to see Simeon. They were there to see a priest, someone to help them offer their sacrifice.

Why didn’t anyone else welcome Jesus? Could it be he and Anna were the only ones looking for the Savior?

The Spirit spoke and Simeon went straight to Jesus.

Jesus is 40 days old. He is tiny.

Simeon probably scared Joseph and Mary. He took Jesus up in His arms.

Imagine that scene!

Simeon smiling.

The baby Jesus looking at this old man.

Look at what Simeon says, “I’m ready to die now!”

If I were to tell you, you wouldn’t die until Christmas came you probably wouldn’t be excited about Christmas coming.

Simeon had a peace about death now because he knew the Savior had come.

Because of Jesus we can:

Welcome death.

Welcome the Second Coming- We say Come Lord Jesus.

We’re not afraid of the undertaker or the over taker.

Look how Simeon describes Jesus (32):

A light for the Gentiles

Glory for Israel

The Savior brings Jew and Gentile together. The Gentiles were in great darkness.

Europeans specifically worshipped ridiculous gods- Zeus and all the Greek gods.

Jesus would bring light to Gentile nations. The light of truth.

While many Jews had a false understanding of the Messiah, Simeon had the right understanding. Many Jews believed the Savior would come destroy the Roman Empire and save them. Simeon knew the Savior was coming to gather Jew and Gentile into one body.

3. He warned Mary (34-35).

Notice he prayed for Mary and Joseph “he blessed them”.

He spoke only to Mary. Joseph wouldn’t be there when Jesus began His ministry.

“this child is appointed for the rise and fall of many”

The rise- salvation. Many will be saved through Him. He will shine His light into the darkest of hearts. Those He saves will be exalted.

Saved

Resurrected

Seated with Christ

The fall of many- He will be a stumbling block to many. He is a “sign that is opposed”.

No matter how obvious it is that Jesus is the Savior He will be rejected.

The virgin birth

The crucifixion

The resurrection

Many will deny this. Because of this they will fall into judgment.

Illust. Some trying to remove the idea of Christmas. You can’t. Jesus has already come.

Jesus will either exalt you or humble you.

Simeon has a sobering message for Mary (35).

A sword will pass through your soul.

The crucifixion of Jesus would be especially hard on her.

She gave birth to Him.

She raised Him.

She followed Him when He began His ministry.

She would be there when He was crucified.

She stood close enough to the cross to hear the voice of Jesus. “Woman behold thy son…”

She was broken. Butchered emotionally.

Our focus shouldn’t be Mary. She was butchered emotionally; Jesus was butchered physically.

Some might think Simeon has gone too far here.

Supposed to be a happy day.

He just told Mary terrible news.

How could Simeon be so happy knowing what he knew about Jesus?

When you get older you begin to appreciate what Jesus did on the cross.

When you think of Jesus you don’t think of the manger. You think of the cross.

You don’t think of a cute baby.

You think of a crucified man.

Jesus took our place on the cross. He was judged in our place.

4. He worshipped God (28-29; 38).

He and Anna did this.

Simeon blessed God (28).

Anna thanked God (38).

Anna walked in on the situation and joined in the worship service Simeon was having. It says she told others the Savior had come.

Anna & Simeon are examples of senior saints who love the Lord. As time draws on it appears the church is getting smaller. In small churches across the world there are people like these two.

Older people who love the Lord.

Older people who have been living for Christ a long time.

Older people who have been looking for the return of Christ for a long time.

Older people who never miss church.

Older people who thank God.

Older people who tell others about the Savior.

I know some Simeons. I know some Annas. If I live to be their I age I hope to be one too.

Christmas is not just for children. It is for all of us. Christmas is about:

Sinners being forgiven

Peace in this world

Joy that cannot be removed by circumstances

The hope of heaven

Because of Jesus we have these things.