By Kenny Bruce
Pastor Emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Memphis
Focal Passage: Luke 2:22-35
Just as the Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon that the baby Jesus was the Messiah, He reveals to us the mind of God.
The dedication of the parents (v. 27b). When Jesus was forty days old, Joseph and Mary went to the temple because she was required by Old Testament law to go there for purification rites described in Lev. 12. She had to offer a sacrifice for her purification. They also came to pay a five shekel ransom price because Jesus was her firstborn (Exodus 13:1-12). The third reason they came was to dedicate Jesus to God.
Godly parents today, either in private or in a baby dedication service, will acknowledge that their child is God’s gift to them and dedicate him to the Lord (Psalm 127:3).
Kenny Bruce
The identification of the prophet (vv. 25-32). Simeon was told that he would not die until after he saw the Messiah (v. 29). He was a devout, righteous believer who was looking for the “consolation of Israel” (v. 25), a term that refers to the Messiah who is the source of our comfort.
Simeon lived with a constant expectancy of meeting the Messiah. Like Simeon, we are to live with a passionate expectancy of His second coming.
Simeon met Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus in the outer court of the temple. He took Jesus in His arms and praised God because his eyes were staring into the face of his salvation (v. 30).
As a continuation of his praise, he proclaimed that Jesus would be a Light of Revelation to the gentiles and glory to Israel (v. 32). God’s glory is synonymous with His radiating light. Only the light of Jesus can open the blind eyes of the unsaved. Simeon was saying that salvation was not only available for Israel, but for the whole world.
The anticipation of the pain (vv. 33-35). Led by the Holy Spirit, Simeon prophesied to Mary about her Son. He told her that Jesus would have a dividing effect on people. He would cause the “fall and rise of many in Israel” (v. 34).
Based on how people respond to Jesus, they will either fall or rise, which means that they will be lost and bound for hell or saved and bound for heaven. Almost all of Israel turned against Jesus and conspired with the Romans to have Him executed.
Only a faithful remnant believed.
Not only would Jesus separate people, but He would face opposition. He would be a “sign to be opposed” (v. 34). Opposition would include rejection, hatred, insults, torture and execution. He continues to be opposed today.
Simeon then got personal with Mary and told her that a sword would pierce her own soul (v. 35). The hurt of watching her Son crucified would be like ramming a sword through her heart.
Simeon continued to prophesy that Jesus would reveal the thoughts of men’s hearts. The idea is that when Jesus offers salvation to a man, that man will think about how much he loves the darkness more than light or how much he is willing to lose his life in Christ in order to obtain eternal life! B&R
