Tag: Simeon

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Simeon’s Blessing About Jesus

close up of little babys hand holding lilac

When Jesus was presented at the Temple in accordance with the Law of Moses, there was a righteous man there named Simeon. He had been waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. Luke says, “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” (Luke 2:26 ESV).

Simeon “came in the Spirit into the temple” and when he saw Jesus, he took him up in his arms and blessed God, saying, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; from my eyes have seen your salvation that you prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel” (vs. 29-32).

This blessing is profound because the man recognized Jesus right away, he makes sure that people know it was according to God’s word, and he mentions that God’s salvation was prepared in the presence of all peoples. God did not hide Jesus or do this in secret. John’s entire gospel account is rooted in the fact that God made these things clear to everyone and did nothing to hide His son. Christ came for everyone but few will obey. God’s salvation is for everyone who will repent and believe in Christ. His is our salvation.

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The Consolation and Redemption of Israel

Jesus

When Jesus was born, a man named Simeon was at the Temple, waiting for the consolation of Israel. The word for consolation literally means an urgent call done by someone close by. Context determines the exact meaning (e.g. urging, encouragement, comfort, appeal, exhortation). Luke 2:25 (ESV) says: “Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel.”

Context for this word means “consolation.” Consolation is the comfort received after a great loss. Simeon was waiting for Israel to receive comfort by the one calling out on her behalf. He was told by the Spirit that he would not die until he saw the Lord’s Christ. When the baby Jesus was brought to Simeon, he blessed God and said,
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel” (Luke2:29-32)

Israel was desperate. Injustices had gone on for generations. People were weary. They were crying out, desperate to find hope. God sent his son to rescue the perishing, to liberate the oppressed suffering.

At the same time, there was a prophetess named Anna. She was a widow and stayed at the Temple day and night with fasting and prayer. She was eighty-four. Luke records, “And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38). Simeon was waiting for the consolation of Israel. Anna was speaking to all the people waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. The Christ was the one who would bring both consolation and redemption! The time was here for people to be comforted and rescued by the only One who would do so. Immanuel–God is with us!

Photo by Greyson Joralemon on Unsplash