Simeon
Encounters Christ
(Luke
2:21-38)
Introduction:
Luke’s Emphasis Chapters 1 & 2-
A.
Age of the Key People
In the
beginning two chapters of Luke, he stresses something very
remarkable. Luke
goes out of his way to show Theophelus that:
- John the
Baptist’s parents (Zechariah and Elizabeth) are very old.
- In this
passage, the old age of Simeon and Anna.
B.
Righteousness of the Key People
The second
thing he stresses about Zechariah, Elizabeth, Simeon and
Anna; they are all four very devout and righteous.
When Jesus
came the old passed away (Hebrews 8:6-7).
Luke wants us to see
that an era is drawing to a close, the era of the law and
the prophets.
C.
Receptiveness of the Key People
The
third thing Luke wants to illustrate is that there is no
conflict between the law and the prophets and
the new age of the Messiah.
Elizabeth, Zechariah,
Simeon
and Anna do not become resentful and angry that the Messiah
has come.
Simeon’s
Encounter with Christ
This is
exactly what Simeon was waiting for.
Simeon is
waiting to be put away in peace.
Simeon’s
words are a fulfillment of the great passage in Isaiah
52:10.
1.
Simeon Waiting in Hope (
2:25
-26)
Although
nearly the whole nation had turned from God and was
overtaken with Phariseeism, there was still a remnant of
God’s true people. This
is the remnant Paul refers to in Romans 11:5.
A.
Waiting in Hope for the Consolation of
Israel
Everyone
was waiting for the Messiah.
Most were waiting for the wrong one.
They thought the Messiah would come and set
Israel
back in place as a superpower.
Isaiah described the
mission of the Messiah in Isaiah 49:6.
What are
you waiting for?
B.
Waiting in Hope for the Fulfillment of God’s
Promise
The other
thing Simeon waited for was the promise God made to him to
be fulfilled. The
promise was that
he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
2.
Simeon Led by the Spirit (
2:27
)
It was the
Holy Spirit that gave Simeon the message and it was the Holy
Spirit that guided him to the temple that very day.
No one goes
looking for God on their own they must be led (Romans
3:10
-12).
Simeon
is said to have come into the temple by the Spirit; that is,
by a secret movement and undoubted revelation, that he might
meet Christ.—John Calvin
The Holy
Spirit leads us to Christ. Are you being led?
3-
Simeon Finding Salvation in Christ (
2:28
-32)
Simeon is
so emotional he begins to sing.
Here are some of the words to his song.
A.
Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in
peace, according to your word;
God,
just as You said it would happen, it is happening!
B.
My eyes have seen your salvation
God had
allowed Simeon to see Jesus in a way other than simply as a
baby.
Simeon also
knew exactly who was responsible for salvation.
It is a work of God alone, your
salvation
(Ephes.
2:8-9).
C. A light
for revelation to the Gentiles, for glory to your people
Israel
For
the Gentiles Jesus was light- They could now see and be
grafted into the covenant because of Christ.
For
Israel
Jesus was the glory-
He was the glory they had read about in all the Old
Testament.
4.
Simeon Blessing Mary and Joseph (
2:34
)
We see in
this a blessing and a warning.
Jesus is appointed to stir up trouble.
He is to cause people to take sides.
When a person encounters Christ there is no neutral
ground.
When
Simeon says that Christ is set for the rise and fall of many
and for a slandered sign, that
thoughts of many hearts may be revealed,
we understand that what is being revealed is whether a
person has a heart humble enough to trust Christ alone for
salvation or whether the person's haughty and must be
brought low.—John Piper (cf. Romans 11:19-21)
What is
your position when it comes to Christ?
Behold,
this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many.
Do you see
Christ in a saving way or do you see Him and stumble? (cf. 1
Peter 2:4-9)
Simeon
believed God’s promise and his faith was seen in his
waiting. He
waited in hope. When
the time was perfect God led him to Jesus.
How about
you? Is God
leading you to see Christ in a new light?
