Simeon's Song

Simeon's song

1. How many of us can recall as a child when we couldn't wait for Christmas morning with expectation of that one gift ? what happened when you didn’t see it ? Did you lose your expectation ? (Ralphie Christmas story .)

What is an expectation? Greek word, translated in the New Testament ek dec homai meaning. To wait for that of the realization of which one is assured.

Joseph and Mary had an expectation of their marriage and future plans together that was radically changed in an instant.

The Jewish people at the time of Christ birth, had an expectation that the Messiah would come and save them from the Roman rule over them.

The only true assurance of expectation we have in this world is the assurance that comes through Christ.

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2. Verse 27 Christ being born of a women under the law.

what where the customs of the law? there are 3 ceremonies.

A. The first ceremony is that of circumcision, referred to in -3. (This event probably took place where the family lived, and not at the temple.) At this time the child was named The Hebrew form of the name Jesus is “Jeshua” (cf. Joshua), derived by the combination of two root words, meaning “the Lord” and “to save.” Thus, the Jesus meant “the Lord is salvation.”,

B. The second ceremony was the purification of Mary, required by the Law after the birth of a child. In we are told that a woman is ceremonially unclean after the birth of a child. For a boy child the woman is unclean for seven days and unable to enter the sanctuary for another 33 days :6-8 covers the burnt offerings that are to be made in order for her atonement that the priest would make on her behalf in order to be clean.

C. The presentation of the first-born son is the third ceremony Luke 2:23 “EVERY first-born MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD” which comes from the passover regulations , “Set apart to me every firstborn male – the first offspring of every womb among the Israelites, whether human or animal; it is mine.” read

D. nothing was left unfulfilled

3.So who was simeon?

We are told very little about this man Simeon. We do not know from what tribe he is a descendent, although it would appear that he was an Israelite. We know nothing about his family, whether he was married or had any children. We are told nothing about his occupation, but it does not appear that he was a elder priest, for he was directed of the Holy Spirit to go to the temple

The only things we are told about Simeon are those things which matter most to God—things which pertain to his faith and his character, things that tell about his relationship with God. verse 25-26

A. We see that he was just which comes from the word justification.

Meaning in the Greek is righteous in Gods sight.

B. We see that He was devout.

Meaning that He was careful in fulfilling Gods instructions and His religious duties.

C. We see that He was expectant. looking for the Messiah.

image of being expectant. a pregnant mother. your release date.

D. I want to answer the question you may be asking about the Holy Spirit being upon

Simeon before Pentecost?

In the O.T. God used His Spirit to indirectly inspire His prophets to reveal Himself

by means of prophecy.

4. Simeon being inspired by the Spirit was enabled to recognize this six-week old child as distinct from all others is not told us, for Luke is not so much interested that we know how He was recognized, but that He was identified by a godly man, as the Lord’s Christ.

A. Verse 28 Simeon anticipation of this moment I could see him rushing over and taking the baby from Mary's arms with tears of joy streaming down his face

one can hardly imagine the joy that was Simeon’s at this moment in time. Think of it, a man who knew that God held him in the palm of His hand, now holds God in his arms! and kissing the face of God.

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B. Verse 30 Not only was Simeon song a song of worship, but it was a song of salvation. which for the first time we see salvation as a person, who is the person of Jesus Christ.

C. Verse 31-32 it was also a song of missionary .

That Jesus would be.

1. Before the face of the people.

2. He shares the Light of the world through Himself.

3. He would teach of the revelation of salvation from His Father.

4. and all that come to Him will share in glory of His Kingdom and the Kingdom to come.

D. verses 33-35 Simeon stop praising and started prophesying . But now Simeon unveils the other side of the story, which is also a part of the Old Testament prophecies, such as those of :1-5

1. prophecies of the rejection, crucifixion and death of Messiah,

2. prophecies of His substitutionary atonement.

3. prophecy views the coming of Christ as revealing the hearts of men, and of dividing men, so that on account of Him some will rise and some will fall.

4. More pointedly, Simeon’s words prepare Mary’s expectation for the grief she will suffer, as the rejection of Her Son by men will cause her to witness His death on the cross. Truly this will be a sword that will pierce her soul.

E. There are 3 lessons of application .

1. That we know that God has provided the perfect substitute for our sins.

2. That we are saved through grace by Faith. " For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves, it is a gift from God."

3. Everyone is appointed an expectation of death. In verse 29 Simeon says " Lord now you are letting your servant depart in peace according to your word." The only way we can depart in peace is to seal our salvation in Jesus Christ.

4. What’s your expectation?