My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation

21 After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

29 “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.

34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.The Return to Nazareth39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Our Old Testament reading gives background to the timing of Jesus’ presentation at the Temple in keeping with the law given under Moses.

As an adult, Jesus would tel people that he came to fulfill the law, not abolish it. Scripture has revealed Mary as the favored one and Joseph as righteous. So, we are not surprised that they would hold close to the word of God.

Jesus was born of a woman, born under the law. And the Old Testament law required that a son be circumcised on the eighth day, and that the mother of a son was to present herself after 40 days for ceremonial purification.

What has brought them to the Temple was established generations before by God.

In fact, the couple was required by the Law not only to have Jesus circumcised (Lev. 12:3), but also to present their firstborn to God (Ex. 13:2, 12).

The offering they presented for her purification showed that they were a poor couple. They could not afford a lamb, so they bought a pair of doves or pigeons, which were all they could afford. They traveled the short distance from Bethlehem to Jerusalem for the presentation and purification at the temple.

At the Temple, they encounter Simeon and Anna, elders in years and faith.

Simeon, whose name means ‘to have heard’, had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah.

Revelation of Christ

Simeon is a derivation of Simon which means ‘to have heard’ the reputation of God.

Simeon is described as righteous/just and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him.

He was upstanding in heart and mind, word and need; his conduct toward other human beings was respectful and he was reverent before God.

Simeon was looking forward to the ‘consolation’ of Israel rather than the overthrow of the Romans like many others. The conditions were challenging at the time of Jesus’ birth.

Israel was occupied by the Roman armies.

King Herod was cruel and conniving.

The scribes and Pharisees had interpreted the Law to their convenience and the Sadducees were more worldly-minded leaders than minders of God’s word.

But even in the midst of an estranged world, there are remnants— people who remain anchored in their faith.

Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, perhaps the innkeeper, and now Simeon and Anna.

We are in the midst of an estranged world. Temptations abound; political ideas and authority occupy and confound. There is a spectrum of callous and calculating leaders whose decision crush dreams and encumber the futures of generations.

And we have religious congregations that behave more like country clubs than communities of faith.

But even in the midst of these strangely normative conditions, there are people of God who remain anchored in their faith.

There are Mary’s and Joseph’s, Simeon’s and Anna’s…folks named and unnamed among our generations.

They embody the hope and faith of Christ like Simeon. The Holy Spirit is upon them.

The Holy Spirit was upon Simeon.

In John 14:15-17, Jesus promises to ask God the Father to give his disciples another Advocate to be with them forever. This is the Spirit of truth...whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him

But this promised Spirit was already upon Simeon long before the birth of Jesus. Simeon has received the Spirit and believed God’s promise. The Spirit guided Simeon to the Temple that day.

What brought Simeon to the Temple had been established long ago by God.

On seeing the Child, Simeon was seeing more than a newborn.

Simeon was seeing the Consolation of Israel; holding salvation in his arms.

He was witnessing God’s promise and provision fulfilled and all he could do was praise God!

He is holding this Child who name means ‘he will save his people’ and with the Holy Spirit resting upon him, Simeon is sensing the magnitude of this Child’s purpose and expresses this to his parents.

Mary and Joseph marvel at Simeon’s words.

They have heard from angels and shepherds and now an elder.

Sometimes God has to send messengers again and again to get us to comprehend the bigger picture of potential and purpose and our role in God’s plan. Each messenger reveals a bit more as God deems us ready to handle more good news.

Simeon adds to the scope of Jesus’ ministry, which is the entire world. The Messiah brings salvation to all nations!

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water? Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your Baby Boy has come to make you new? This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you. Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man? Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand? Did you know that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod? When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God? Mary did you know. Ooo Ooo Ooo The blind will see. The deaf will hear. The dead will live again. The lame will leap. The dumb will speak The praises of The Lamb. Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation? Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations? Did you know that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb? The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.

The Messiah would bring salvation to all nations!

Jesus would stir up the world, would be opposed and she would endure great pain.

Great change does not come with some pain.

As Simeon shared, the elderly prophetess Anna came forward.

Anna had been in the Temple for a long time.

would have seen a lot and likely yearned for the right kind of change.

She worshipped with fasting and praying

That is, seeking nourishment and insight beyond common, malnourished offerings

As Simeon praised God and share the truth with the Mary and Joseph, Anna came at that moment, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Anna began to share the good news like the shepherds!

39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

It is the eyes of the heart that must see the Child, to understand this gift of God.

Simeon submits to God; releases himself to the promise.

Revelation Realized in a Moment!

What do you see?

Simeon has been waiting on the Lord