how old was simeon when he saw jesus

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, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, I was really trying to politely end the call. This is because in addition to being a proselytizer, Anna is a prophetess (Luke 2:36). Reading this narrative, we sense that it was perfectly proper for this old man to take the Baby Jesus in his arms because of what he was and who he was. Simeon does not know that years later Paul will write these words: "11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands- 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. He was a faithful temple goer which means that he regularly met with God. Interestingly, in both, the woman is portrayed as the more positive example of discipleship. By this time Simeon was a very old man. The Spirit rested upon Moses, and his face shone like that. What an act of faith that was! was a very old man, and was waiting to see the messiah and die. Simeon does not domesticate the gospel or the Messiah. PDF Unit 19 Session 2: Jesus Was Dedicated Preschool | March 12, 2023 Here Simeon looked across three decades to a picture of a Man hanging on a cross, dying for the sins of his people, and suffering the penalty of the Law, thus emptying death of its sting and the Law of its curse. Because that is what Simon said. When the parents brought the child Jesus to do for him what was customary under the Law, 28 Simeon took the infant in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace according to your promise, The Faith That Waits: Simeon's Story | Make it a Garden degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from the University of Durham in England. Perhaps she was part of some sort of order of widows (Luke tells us her husband died after only seven years of marriage) who had specific religious functions in the Temple. In verse 32 he stated that the Lord Jesus was to be, first, a light for revelation to the Gentiles; and second, for glory to your people Israel. When that Child came into the world, he brought nothing but a soul. As Paul put it in Ephesians 2:19 - no longer strangers or foreigners, but fellow citizens! He saw the gospel clearly, and he was a satisfied man. SCRIPTURE, proclaims elizabeth asking in wonder, how is it that the MOTHER of my LORD comes to me? i could go on and on. The pairing of Simeon and Anna reflects Lukes penchant for male-female parallelism when he writes about the recipients of divine blessing and salvation. Notice also that the Holy Spirit always leads to and glorifies the Lord Jesus - compare verse 27 with John 16:13-14. May God give us the kind of spiritual eyesight to see it and lives to live it! He shall be great, and men will know him for the Son of the most High; the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob eternally; his kingdom shall never have an end., 2. It will not make sense to them, and honestly it shouldn't. God holds our every breath. When Jesus was 40 days old Mary and Joseph traveled to the temple in Jerusalem for another ceremony. As a crowning reward of his life, God showed him that he should not die until the Christ came. Share your feedback here. 6 months later, thus about December Jesus was conceived in Mary, and born 9 months later which gives us September for the birth of Jesus which is the time of the feast of Sukkoth which is now fullfilled in the coming of the Word of God to dwell among us in a human body: Greek skenos means tent and figuratively the human body . This phrase either means that many will be humbled and spiritually raised up because of him (like the story of the publican in Luke 18:9ff), or it means that Jesus will be a stone over which some will fall and perish while others are spiritual "risen up" by God's power (see Luke 1:51-53). How old was Simeon when he introduced Jesus? He waited for the consolation of Israel, the Messiah, the Lords Christ. Simeon had been 40, then 50, then 60 years old. Notice how the text describes him. We then count 3 and a half months from 1. All you need to do is come down to our service center to learn about our products, pick up your keys, and you will have chance to start a 2006 Chevy Blazer. Two kinds of persons were involved; first there were those who would apprehend Christ as the Rock and find in him a spiritual sanctuary; second, those who would reject him and find him a stumbling stone and a rock of offense (cf. husband passed away seven years after her wedding. 14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace (2 Peter 3:10-14). Teaching Women of the Bible. I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the structure of your A tour to the pyramids of Giza will reveal some fascinating facts Simeon went into the church in Jerusalem. He had been told by God, as a much younger man, that he would definitely see the Jewish Messiah before he died. Why does Gary Soto's work seem autobiographical? This button displays the currently selected search type. When Scripture uses blameless or just to describe a man like Zacharias or Simeon, the word means more than just conformity to the Law, to all the commandments and ordinances; it implies the spiritual perception of the purpose of God in the Law and the Prophets. The jewish month has only about 29 days .please google the theme here and you will find all detailed informations for what I wrote here. This is clear. Luke says of Anna: And there was Anna she was of great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow fourscore and four years, You give Anna the age of 84however considering girls were approximately 15 when wed, she lived with her husband 7 years and had been a widow 84 years. She spread the Simeon saw Jesus there, and he picked Jesus up in his arms. Now he sees his long-desired Star. Jesus walking on water in John 6:16-24. The Holy Ghost was upon Simeon. This describes a special experience of anointing known to a noble company of Gods people in all ages. Healing the paralytic at Bethesda in John 5:1-15. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Lords Messiah. We often picture Jesus taking little children in his arms, and we sing, I would like to have been with him then , but this thought of another receiving Jesus into his arms is much less familiar to us. We have a drawing for $15,000 cash!" The Eastern Orthodox Church considers Anna and Simeon the God-Receiver as the last prophets of Old Testament and observes their feast on February 3/February 16 as the synaxis (afterfeast) following the Presentation of Christ, which Orthodox tradition calls The Meeting of Our Lord and God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Even better, Mary understood that she had indeed been greatly blessed, and that all generations would call [her] Blessed. Anna wasnt there to tell Mary something she didnt already know. "For the fall and rising of many." Did he marry? The article was first republished in Bible History Daily on February 12, 2013. Is there a difference between Simon and Simeon? Simeon told Mary & Joseph that Jesus would be a helper for people. At the Temple, the family is approached by a man named Simeon, who has been told by the Holy Spirit that he will not die until he has seen the messiah. He was "waiting for the consolation of Israel." He took the prophets at their word and was looking for the coming Messiah. This season of uncleanness was terminated by the offering of a sacrifice (a lamb for a burnt offering and a pigeon or turtledove for a sin offering). 161162. (We know that the eighth day after birth is the first of the following 33 days because the account also says that after the birth of a daughter a mother waits twice as long, specifically 14 + 66 = 80 days.) We know far more of Jesus through the New Testament revelation than Simeon ever could have known from the Old Testament prophecy, but do we embrace him in the arms of faith as the Lords Christ as Simeon did? Mary was the first to have the good news announced to her, but Anna is the first woman to understand fully and proclaim the good news. Simeon's testimony was great in that he said that he saw the salvation in Jesus and Jesus was the one whom the Father had prepared before the face of all the people and also that Jesus was the light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of His people Israel. Luke records that Jesus' parents "marveled at what was said about him" ( Luke 2:33 ). Out of their poverty, Joseph and Mary presented a pair of turtledoves and the price of redemption. He was waiting for the one who would comfort Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. Apparently sacrificial lambs were wrapped (swaddled) at birth It has provided much food for thought. He sees the Christ child with his own eyes and finds fulfillment. My soul magnifies the Lord; my spirit has found joy in God, who is my Saviour, because he has looked graciously upon the lowliness of his handmaid. In fact, people may even laugh at your Christ-centered satisfaction. . How old was Jesus when simeon and Anna saw him. How old was Simeon when he saw Jesus?Simeon the priest was a very old man , could be in his late seventies. 19 Feb, 2021 He saw one of the most important events in world history! Yes, a messiah has arrived, as Simeon recognizes, but, as the prophetess Anna suggests, a new era, with a new and living voice of prophecy, has at the same time dawned.1 In this new era, the living voice of God will continue to speak about the messianic one. (We know that the eighth day after birth is the first of the following 33 days because the account also says that after the birth of a daughter a mother waits twice as long, specifically 14 + 66 = 80 days.). That Lord Jesus Christ has come not only for Jews but also for the Gentiles is seen here in Luke Chapter 2:21-35 where description of one named Simeon is given. He kept the law inwardly and outwardly, looked for the Messiah, and the very presence of God was in his life. Its very well written; I love what youve got Jesus real name , Yeshua, evolved over millennia in a case of transliteration. Verse 26 makes this clear! Your email address will not be published. thus the feast of Sukkoth is a symbol for God dwellling among us in Jesus . Jesus was approximately 40/41 days old at the time His mother, Do you see the gospel for the beauty that it is? Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. "Yeah, you know what I really don't need this job if you are going to make me do that." This will come through the ministry of Jesus and particularly through the cross and resurrection.. He holds the Th.B (Westminster Seminary) and Ph.D. (University of Pittsburgh). All that we have is the fact that Simeon was sufficiently old; he was just and devout. At the time of Jesus being dedicated to the Lord at the Temple and Mary and Joseph offering their sacrifice for purification, both Simeon and Anna recognized the infant Jesus as the Messiah and sang his praises to all around them. August 22,2014 2:02 am. Thus Simeon describes himself as free, released from the heavy burden of life. He had been told by God, as a much younger man, that he would definitely see the Jewish Messiah before he died. One day, his parents, Joseph and Mary, took him up to the Temple to present him to God. He proclaims its rising, and he asks to be relieved from the post he has occupied so long. And that is what we are going to examine today: what did Simeon see when he looked into the face of the Messiah. Dr. Witherington has presented seminars for churches, colleges and Biblical meetings in the U.S., England, Estonia, Russia, Europe, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Australia. Thus Jesus was driven by the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil. "Yeah, I know that you are going to kill me, but I won't recant on my belief in Christ.". Global Relief Fund | Earthquake Relief Efforts in Turkey and Syria. Simeon: He Is the Christ | Open the Bible He was waiting for the time when God would help Israel. Ben Witherington III is Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary and on the doctoral faculty at St. Andrews University in Scotland. It is evident from scripture, by the fact that the people in His hometown and His siblings didnt know He was the Messia (after thirty yrs), that Mary, Joseph or Jesus ever revealed this. Read Understanding []. Learn more about Anna in Robin Gallaher Branchs Bible History Daily article Anna in the Bible.. Mary then announced to Elizabeth (and the world): In the free ebook Who Was Jesus? As you celebrate this holiday, exchange gifts, enjoy days of rest, and time with family - I just want to remind you that this holiday is about the glory and the beauty of the gospel! The neuter gender is used for the word salvation. Additionally he was not a direct descendant of David. Seven Signs Changing water into wine at Cana in John 2:1-11 the first of the signs Healing the royal officials son in Capernaum in John 4:46-54. He was satisfied with the gospel. "For a sign that is opposed." Have you bent your knee and turned to Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. But the beauty is not limited here to Simeon's experience alone. They were devout in their worship and righteous in their dealings with their fellow men. As Joseph and Mary marveled at the things spoken of their Child by Simeon, they were blessed by him, and heard Gods purpose for the Child. Healing the man blind from birth in John 9:1-7. Verse 25 tells us this, and it means that while he was honest and upright in the sight of men, he was holy (as the word really means) in the sight of God. While considering Dr. Witheringtons question, I would like to ask, How about Elizabeth, wife of Zachariah, whose response to Marys arrival plainly states that the Spirit revealed to her the identity of the unborn Messiah? Luke 1:41-43 reads, When Elizabeth heard Marys greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. May Almighty God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit and Christianity be our guiding lights, our safety nets and our inspiration for loving happiness with Almighty God! They had dedicated the baby Jesus according to the law of Moses, and they traveled to Jerusalem each year to celebrate Passover. Who are we to really imply something different for the amazing Simeon and his song??!!! December 21, 2008 College Park Church, What Simeon Saw: Lessons From a Satisfied Old Man. On the next day we who were Pauls companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Did the Ancient Israelites Think Children Were People. We must make this observation, for in verse 29 there are three words which indicate this. In this, Mary contrasts sharply with Simeon and Anna, two elderly individuals who happen to be in the Temple when Joseph and Mary bring the infant Jesus to Jerusalem for the first time. Gospel account The episode is described in Luke 2:4152. Fear God, love God and honor God for the multitude of things he has done in our behalf, the love He has given us and the graciousness He has shown us through His Son and the Holy Spirit! What did old Simeon say when he saw Jesus? What are the 4 major sources of law in Zimbabwe? SIMEON'S SALVATION - Leslie John Shares Gospel of Jesus Christ How old was Jesus when simeon and Anna saw him? There are critical moments in life when everything depends upon immediate submission to the impulse of the Spirit. He is at peace and his heart is filled with hope because he knows that God has fulfilled His promise. Verse 28 gives us a beautiful picture. His meeting of the Christ-child was not an anomaly or a spiritual aberration. The telemarketer called and asked me if I had received my car keys in the mail last week. How old was Jesus at his presentation at the temple? They had dedicated the baby Jesus according to the law of Moses, and they traveled to Jerusalem each year to celebrate Passover. Study 2 SIMEON: WAITING FOR THE LORD - Words of Life Ministries I like the stress on Mary and Joseph as good parents who nevertheless dont get it. It was through this child that sin could permanently be forgiven. If Mary were first to know, then surely Elizabeth was second, or if Mary did not realize, then Eizabeth was first to know. He is now considered one of the top evangelical scholars in the world, and is an elected member of the prestigious SNTS, a society dedicated to New Testament studies. All men will not accept Jesus. Subscribers receive full access to the archives. Who was Simeon in the Bible? - CompellingTruth.org Under the impulse of the Spirit, he had come to the Temple and was performing his devotions when Jesus arrived. That is also why she stood at the cross and did not kneel. How old was Simeon when he saw Jesus in the temple? Mary, Simeon or Anna by Ben Witherington III originally appeared in Bible Review, Winter 2005. 25 A man named Simeon lived in Jerusalem. Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace (Luke 2:28, 29). If these shepherds were in charge of Consolation meets us in our. The doctors of the Law may have been dead spiritually, but these remnant people, who saw the reality contained in the Law and the Prophets, were alive to what God was doing. He has protected his servant Israel, keeping his merciful design in remembrance, according to the promise which he made to our forefathers, Abraham and his posterity for evermore.. To unlock this article for your friends, use any of the social share buttons on our site, or simply copy the link below. In referring to Alfred Plummers Commentary on Luke, (along with your proposal that Lukes women were more positive examples of discipleship) you write, Yes, a messiah has arrived, as Simeon recognizes, but, as the prophetess Anna suggests, a new era, with a new and living voice of prophecy, has at the same time dawned. That is quite a leap as Luke offers only a one-line summation of her input after he quotes Simeon at length. Scoffers might pour ridicule upon him for his belief, but they could not rob him of his hope, for the grounds of his confidence were sure. This is the time Simeon and Anna saw Jesus. But Mary is also puzzled by the divine message; she is perplexed when the angel greets her and must ponder the meaning of his words (Luke 1:29; see also 2:19). Luke uses the story of his life and meeting of the Christ-child to make a very important point for Theophilus, the Roman ruler for whom this book is written. Anna is the first in a line of prophetic disciples who will speak about Jesus to all who were looking for the redemption of Israel. In these Old Testament types and experiences, they saw Christ. Do you follow Christ even when it proves costly? The text states that Simeon was eventually subdued by Manasseh, and imprisoned. Simeon (Gospel of Luke) - Wikipedia She changed strategies, "Well, how about $15,000? Combine a one-year tablet and print subscription to BAR with membership in the BAS Library to start your journey into the ancient past today! That hope motivated the righteous in Simeons day to hold on to the things of God despite the terrible events happening round about them. Gabriel made it quite clear to Mary who is Jesus: Simeon met baby Jesus and blessed Him, in fulfillment of a promise to Simeon from God. Simeon blesses Jesus | Bibleview He was a satisfied old man. He would not die until he had seen Jesus. Granted it is glorious and attractive, but it is not safe. The Spirit gave Simeon divine revelationit was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lords Christ. The word translated revealed is actually a divine response. In the active tense the word means to transact business, to make an answer to those who seek advice. The use of the word in the passive bespeaks revelation made by God in response to the seeking of man. He would not die until he saw for himself the coming Messiah. She was very old, around 84 years old when she saw Jesus in the temple.Refer also to Luke 2:36-38. The house of Abijahs servicetime was the number 8, thus the second half of the 4th month of the jewish year which was about June. OK, so I have a slightly different interpretation when it comes to Joseph and Mary finding Jesus after hes been missing for three days. We are told this in verse 25, and it means that his life was honest and upright in the eyes of men. Their hearts were right with God. Dig into the illuminating world of the Bible with a BAS All-Access membership. Furthermore, Joseph seems to be Marys equal regarding getting it. Lets not forget that God spoke to Joseph in dreams and he obeyed each time. He is not identified as a priest, or ruler. 8:14). Hey, if the Holy Spirit tells Simeon he will not die till he sees the Messiah, and if hes been waiting his entire life perhaps, and hes faithful and in the temple and he comes and serves as that second witness ~ that may be Gods total will for his lifes ending, different from Annas, but just as powerful. Simeon meets the baby Jesus (Luke 2:21-32) - easyenglish.bible Where in the Bible did Jesus ask Peter if he loved? So you are saying that when the Shepards and the wise men came Mary had no idea Jesus was Messiah? Rather in 2.51 [his mother treasured all these things ] he stresses her retention of what she has not yet understood and her continuing search to understand.2. Now we turn briefly to Simeon's farewell to the world (2:29-35). Simeon appears to be a normal Jewish man. Let a man be confronted with Christ as a supernatural person, one born without a human father, brought into the world through the womb of a virgin, as the apparatus of redemption, and he will reveal his own hearts condition by his attitude toward this supernatural Christ. But the story of Simeon and Anna suggests Mary had much to learn before she could enter into the Kingdom, and into the spiritual family of faith, which they already belonged to, and which is to be the primary family of Jesus in the eschatological age. What are the Physical devices used to construct memories? And Marys Magnificent states her understanding of what is happening within her. No doubt they related to the officiating priest some of the things that had happened in connection with the birth of the Child, and Simeon, an old man who was awaiting the advent of the Messiah, overheard them. We have an extra set here at our office. In the birth narratives about Jesus, we meet Simeon and Anna, who were also "waiting for consolation" (Luke 2:25). . Not everyone can be a prophet, however. Simeon went to the temple and held the Christ Child, and It seems that Luke wants to make this scene very personal for Simeon and Anna. For the Holy Spirit to rest upon a man is the highest experience God has for him. Wikimedia CommonsThe Greek transliteration of Jesus real name , Isous, and the late Biblical Hebrew version Yeshua. Simeon's prayer captures the beauty of the gospel: He begins his praise to God with an expression of ultimate satisfaction in God and it is tied to the word peace: "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace," (v 29). One of the themes of Jesus in the Synoptic tradition seems to be the emphasis that ones own family can become a stumbling block to their walk of faith. Godly people are supremely satisfied and they celebrate a costly gospel. The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would die before he saw the Messiah. He is a godly man who is satisfied with a gospel that is a beautiful and costly treasure. "The Holy Ghost was upon Simeon." This describes a special experience of anointing known to a noble company of God's people in all ages. God is testing us everyday and has given us the right to make our own choices. The Spirit rested upon Samson, and he did marvelous exploits. What Simeon Saw: Lessons from a Satisified Old Man I really didn't care about $15,000 at that moment. Simeon, believed to be an old man, was waiting for the redemption of Israel, and the Holy Spirit told him that he would not die until he had see the redemption in the infant body of Christ, in the Anointed One of God. Godly people are supremely satisfied with a costly gospel. Mary and Joseph marvel at what Simeon says about him (v 33) and then he says something stunning to Mary: "This child is appointed" Simeon knew and Mary and Joseph were only beginning to fully understand that this little baby was part of massive plan determined even before the foundations of the earth (Eph 3:11, Heb 4:3, Rev 13:8). Who was the old Simeon who introduced Jesus in the temple? He saw him as the beauty of God saying, "Promise Fulfilled." Continue Learning about Religious Studies. He did not know just when He would come, but as his hair whitened and his limbs became enfeebled, these were signs to him that the Lords coming was very near. What impresses me about Simeon is the powerful mingling of righteousness, Spirit-empowerment, and faith to take God at His Word. \\"Kindness Therapy\\" and Our Lady of Guadalupe Joseph and Mary were in at the Temple in Jerusalem for the redemption of Jesus as the firstborn and the purification of His mother, Mary, as per the Law of Moses in the first five books of the Bible. The whole of the strange thing called life lies between the extremes in that picture. Many, many years before Jesus came to earth as a baby, God had given Moses laws for His people to obey. She is not shaking in her boots because inwardly Jesus is the Son of God. At the Temple scene, Mary definatly shows she knows this by how she address him after looking for him for three days. There were three characteristics of Simeons Spirit-controlled life: The Spirit-controlled life is a life which is endued with the Spirit, taught of the Spirit and led by the Spirit. What distinguishes Simeon is not his position, but his godliness. Wiki User 2011-01-25 . This. Christmas Bible Lessons: Baby Jesus Presented in the Temple . Youre on the money. He has written over thirty books, including The Jesus Quest and The Paul Quest, both of which were selected as top Biblical studies works by Christianity Today. Director Jon Erwin discusses his inspiration for the film and how history might be repeating itself today. When he heard the account given by Mary and Joseph to the priest, he interrupted the process of dedication by taking the Child in his arms and making a great spiritual prophecy under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I said that I had not. 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. Also, he will be a sign that will be opposed. i am a veterinarian in texas and i am catholic! 2. He will bring the revelation to non-Jewish people in order to bring Jews and Gentiles to God. "Well," she said, "I have good news. It is often assumed that Simeon was an old man, but the Bible never says that. Luke adds that she treasures the words the angel Gabriel speaks to her. He expresses this so well in verse 32, "a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.". Simeon was so happy! Simeon ( Greek: ) at the Temple is the "just and devout" man of Jerusalem who, according to Luke 2:25-35, met Mary, Joseph, and Jesus as they entered the Temple to fulfill the requirements of the Law of Moses on the 40th day from Jesus' birth, i. e. the presentation of Jesus at the Temple . He prayed, "God, You kept Your promise, and I have This is the gospel - full of hope, rooted in God's faithfulness, spread to all people, and the most glorious news in all the world! This apparatus was prepared by God for the salvation of all people. GOD THE FATHER, HOLY SPIRIT, JESUS AND MARY AT THE TEMPLE He was a good man and very religious. In Hebrew Baby Names the meaning of the name Simeon is: Obedient; listening; little hyena. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and told Mary, his mother, This infant is destined to cause many in Israel to fall and rise. Simeon lived in Jerusalem. Jesus, the adolecent, wasnt sining or lying here he was jumping the gun. In Lukes birth narrative, Mary is the first to be told that Jesus will be the messiah.