Simeon's Rejoicing

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Simeon’s Rejoicing

 

Luke 2:22-35

 

Grace Fellowship Church

 

December 24, 2006

 

 

22 And 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 male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said 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, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel , and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30for my eyes have seen your salvation 31that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 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.”

 

Introduction

 

One of the truths of Scripture is that God always makes Himself known and His ways known.  Sometimes these are in subtle ways other times in dramatic fashion.  For instance, when Elijah stood against the prophets of Baal God not only with fire burned up the sacrifice but in dramatic fashion lapped up the water and destroyed the sacrifice of the Baal worshipers.  When He appeared to the nation of Israel at Sinai he did so with earthquake, thunder, and lightening with a great voice.  Sometimes He intervenes in human history in more subtle ways.  He appeared to Moses in a burning bush. 

 

The prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel each had dramatic experiences with God revealing Himself. 

 

I want you to think about the life of the Lord Jesus Christ.  At times God the Father was subtle at revealing His Son.  For instance, an angel appeared to Mary and announced that she would be the one to bring the Son of God into the world.  An angel appeared to Joseph to tell him to keep Mary as his wife and told Him the child she was carrying was indeed the Son of God.  The prophet wrote that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem so the Lord saw fit for a census to be called so that Joseph and Mary would be in the city of David at the appointed time.  Other ways were not so subtle.  God placed a star in the heavens in order to point the way for the Magi to come and worship the Lord Jesus.  At the birth of the Lord angels were summoned to announce His birth to the shepherds in the field.  Luke 2:8-14 says, “"Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 "This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger ." 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

 

Matthew Henry said, “The meanest circumstances of Christ's humiliation were all along attended with some discoveries of his glory, to balance them, and take off the offence of them; for even when he humbled himself God did in some measure exalt him and give him earnests of his future exaltation.” —Matthew Henry Unabridged

 

When the Lord God of Heaven was to take on human flesh an angel announced it.  When the creator of the Universe entered the world in a lowly stable, in a lowly town, angels announced it.  When the Lord Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist a voice from Heaven proclaimed, “You are my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” 

 

And here in our text today, a seemingly normal event in the life of all Jewish families is made extraordinary by the Lord making an announcement.  Notice what was taking place.  Look at verses 22-24.

22 And 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 male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”)

 

Joseph and Mary were presenting the Lord Jesus just like every other devout Jewish couple did in Israel .  They were to offer a sacrifice.  Look at verse 24.

 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

 

There is some significance in this verse.  Luke writes what Joseph and Mary offered the Lord as a sacrifice.  It was either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Listen to Leviticus 12:6-8. 6 'When the days of her purification are completed, for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the doorway of the tent of meeting a one year old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering. 7 'Then he shall offer it before the LORD and make atonement for her, and she shall be cleansed from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who bears a child, whether a male or a female. 8 'But if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two young pigeons, the one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for her, and she will be clean.' "

 

 

The mother and earthly father of the Lamb of God could not afford to offer a lamb so they offered a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons as the Law prescribed.  So much for those who claim the Lord Jesus was from a wealthy family.  He was not.  Paul tells us that although the Lord was rich He became poor on our behalf. 

 

This normal Jewish Levitical event now becomes extraordinary.  Onto the scene comes a man named Simeon.  Look at verses 25 to learn about this man.

 

 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, (Luke assigns four characteristics to this man Simeon)  and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel , and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  (Then verse 26 gives us some important information for our consideration.) 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

 

The Sovereign Lord brought His Son and this man Simeon on the same day at the same time to the Temple to fulfill what He had revealed earlier to Simeon.  Look at verse 27.

 

 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law,

 

Now the text does not say that Joseph and Mary came into the Temple announcing that Jesus was the Messiah.  There were several public announcements of the Messiahship of Jesus.  One of these announcements was when John the Baptist proclaimed Him the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.  But the Holy Spirit led Simeon into the Temple as the Lord Jesus was just weeks old and it was revealed to him that Jesus was the Messiah. 

 

Which is a good lesson for us.  The Holy Spirit still is the only One who can reveal the Lord Jesus as Messiah.  And He is still in the business of doing so. 

 

So the Holy Spirit promised Simeon he would see the Messiah so what did he do when he saw the baby?  Look at verse 28.

 

28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God

 

I want you to get this picture.  Joseph and Mary are making their way into the Temple just a few weeks after His birth and this man sees them and takes the baby from their arms and begins to bless the Lord.  Imagine the surprise that these new parents must have had.  There had been angels and shepherds in Bethlehem that came to worship.  And now they were simply doing what was required of them by the Law and this man takes the baby Jesus into his arms and begins outloud to glorify God. 

 

I want us to pay close attention to what Simeon had to say. 

and said, 29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;

 

Simeon acknowledges God’s promise.  Look back at verse 26.   26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

 

But from verse 26 to verse 29 there is a dramatic shift in language.  When Simeon refers to his upcoming death he does not use the same word.  The word thanatos in verse 26 has been replaced by Simeon in verse 29.  Look at the text.  “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace  Notice the word DEPART.  It is the Greek word apoluo.  Within its field of meaning it can mean to be released.  It can mean to depart but notice the difference.  Instead of dying, now that the promise to Simeon had been fulfilled he could be released from this life.  And notice how verse 29 tells us this can be done.

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace

 

Simeon understood what the Apostle Paul understood when he wrote, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. 55 "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  1 Cor 15:54-57 (NASB)

 

Listen, those who have not known the Savior die.  Those apart from Christ feel completely the sting of death.  But those who are in Christ are merely released from this world into the presence of the Lord who bought them and redeemed them from sin and death.  And all of this is rooted in the promises of God in Christ.  Look again at verse 29.

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;

 

Notice why Simeon could have this confidence.  Look at verse 30.  

30for my eyes have seen your salvation

 

Remember where Simeon was.  He was at the Temple .  I can imagine that the Temple was a beautiful place full of color and smells and grandeur. 

 

Illustration

 

I have been to the Temple Mount Institute in Jerusalem where their dream and goal is to rebuild the Temple and reinstitute the Levitical sacrifices.  They have recreated the priestly garments complete with the breastplate of the high priest.  The garments are stunningly beautiful.  The Temple instruments are silver, gold, and brass.  They are polished to perfection.  The incense that would be offered is together and smells wonderful.  This is all inside a building behind glass cases.  I can only imagine what this all looked like and smelled like as the Temple was in full use in the first century. 

 

I am sure that Simeon had been witness many times to the sacrifices of bulls, goats, and lambs.  But all of that suddenly became a non-issue as he held in his arms the lamb of God that would take away not only his sins that the Temple sacrifices could not pay for in full but also the sins of His people for all time. 

 

This is the salvation that God Himself had prepared.  This is the salvation that God had intended from before the foundation of the earth.  This was the salvation that the Lord had prophesied of in what we know as the proto-evangelium in Genesis 3:15.  15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed;
He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel."

 

 

Here in the arms of this man Simeon was the one who would redeem Israel .  But there is more here in the words of Simeon.  Look at verse 31. 

31that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

 

Remember this was God’s salvation and verse 31 says that it is God who has prepared it.  The word for peoples here is the word λαῶν.  

 

This was a word that referred to the Jewish people.  I want you to remember that Jesus’ messianic ministry was public.  He healed in public.  He preached in public.  He even died in public.  God had publicly placed Jesus Christ forward as the Messiah.  This salvation was prepared before the foundation of the earth and was sent to the lost sheep of Israel . But not only to Israel was this sacrifice sent.  Look at verse 32. 

 

 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

 

The Gentiles who had long been excluded from the light of revelation that the Jewish people were privileged with were now going to be brought near by the blood of Christ.  Simeon was drawing on his Old Testament knowledge of the salvation to come.  Scripture such as Isaiah 49:5-6.

5 And now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant,
To bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel might be gathered to Him (For I am honored in the sight of the LORD, And My God is My strength), 6 He says, "It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations
So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth."

 

 

Or Isaiah 9:6-7.

6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.

 

 

Or the 98th Psalm.

1 O sing to the LORD a new song, For He has done wonderful things, His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him. 2 The LORD has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations. 3 He has remembered His lovingkindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel ; All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.  4 Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises. 5 Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, With the lyre and the sound of melody. 6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn Shout joyfully before the King, the LORD.  7 Let the sea roar and all it contains, The world and those who dwell in it. 8 Let the rivers clap their hands,  Let the mountains sing together for joy 9 Before the LORD, for He is coming to judge the earth; He will judge the world with righteousness And the peoples with equity .

 

 

God in His sovereignty had brought about the long awaited Savior.  And He would be a light of revelation to the Gentiles and to the nation of Israel He would be glory.  Look at the rest of verse 32. 

 

and for glory to your people Israel .”

 

Of course the Lord’s parents would have a reaction to this scene.  Look at verse 33.

 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.

 

As I close I would like to add a few applications for our own edification today. 

 

First, there will be many who celebrate Christmas without realizing the significance of what they are celebrating.  In many homes Christmas is just a time to open presents and be with family.  But God has blessed us to know that Christmas is the time we remember the Lord’s birth.  In other words he has made us like Simeon where we can look upon the baby in the arms of His parents and know that this is far more than merely a Jewish child.  This is the Word made flesh that has tabernacled among us.  This is Emmanuel, God with us.  This is God our salvation.  This is the Second Person of the Trinity who has lowered Himself to come and save His people from their sins.  This is the One who is the prince of peace.  He is the Great I AM. 

 

Second, we are to remember that this one who was born in a stable in Bethlehem would ultimately make His way to the cross of Calvary .  If there were no cross then there would be no Christmas.  Think about it.  If the Lord had not died for the sins of the world then the world would have no idea of this baby born in a stable.  He would have gone off into insignificance just like many babies who were born that day.  Ultimately the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who lowered Himself to take on human flesh and be born of woman lowered Himself even further.

although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped , 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:6-11 (NASB)

 

This is why we observe the Lord’s Supper.  As often as we do this we remember the Lord’s death. 

 

Third, the greatest gift that anyone of us has received is our salvation in Christ Jesus alone.  For there is no other name given among men by which we may be saved.  Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No man comes to the Father except through me.  Ephesians 1:3-8 reminds us of this gift.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him . In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us[9

 

Fourth and finally let’s not forget that this same Jesus who came to earth as a baby laid in a manger, born of the virgin Mary, who died on the cross and rose again the third day will also one day return.  But He will not return as a baby but as a conquering King.  And His kingdom will have no end. 

And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,

 

Isaiah 9:6-7 (NASB)

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