Salvation Prepared for All People 12.29.2024

 Salvation Prepared for All People 

Lesson Text: Luke 2:25-38 

Related Scriptures: Leviticus 12:1-8; Luke 1:57-80; 2:1-21 

TIME: 6 or 5 B.C. PLACE: temple in Jerusalem 

GOLDEN TEXT—“For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people” (Luke 2:30-31). 

Introduction 

Consolation and redemption were things godly people—people like Simeon (Luke 2:25) and Anna the prophetess (vs. 38)—waited for in Jesus’ time. Creation groans along with its creatures, awaiting redemption (Rom. 8:20-23). People and the world itself will be healed on the day of God’s promises. The prophets of Israel spoke about it. Jesus called it the kingdom of God, the kingdom of heaven, and eternal life. 

Some people resisted the many distortions of biblical faith in the days of Simeon and Anna. Many believed the right promises and practiced the right faith. Those who did, then as now, had peace even in troubled times. Religion in our time is just as prone to unhealthiness as it was in Simeon and Anna’s time. 

LESSON OUTLINE 

SIMEON’S FAITH—Luke 2:25-28 

SIMEON’S PSALM—Luke 2:29-32 

SIMEON’S BLESSING—Luke 2:33-35 

ANNA’S GOSPEL—Luke 2:36-38 

Exposition: Verse by Verse 

SIMEON’S FAITH LUKE 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 

His character and hope (Luke 2:25). Jerusalem in Jesus’ time was filled with people of various beliefs and affiliations. The power in Jerusalem was concentrated in the high priest and the chief priests, who were among the Sadducees. Although a Roman governor was sometimes in residence, it was Rome’s policy to keep only a small garrison in places like Jerusalem. The governor depended on the cooperation of the chief priests to keep order and peace, backed up by the ability to bring down a legion from Syria if need be. The city was home to adherents of various beliefs, including several groups of Pharisees, who believed in popular reform through devotion to the Mosaic ways of life. There were other groups here as well, including radical Essenes who opposed the shedding of blood and who did not offer sacrifices. 

{In the midst of all these groups, whose identities and characters have largely been lost to history, Luke’s Gospel reveals another group in the city of God. There were individuals who do not seem to have been affiliated with the usual parties. Some of them shared a deep devotion to worshipping God at the temple as they waited for the promises of the messianic era to fall upon them. They were hopeful that Messiah would come in their own time.}Q1 

{Simeon is among those Luke revealed as the devoted faithful, along with Zacharias and Elisabeth, Anna, and, in a slightly different way (since they were from Galilee), Joseph and Mary. Like the Pharisees, they kept the ways commanded by Moses. Unlike the Pharisees and Essenes, they seem to have placed a greater emphasis on worship at the temple. Unlike the Sadducees, they believed in supernatural promises.}Q2 

Simeon was just, meaning he walked in the ways of the commandments, not deviating to the right or left (cf. Deut. 17:8-13). He was devout, meaning he expressed his faith and worshipped fervently and with emotional zeal. He believed in the supernatural promises of the Messiah, who in Luke 2:25 is called the “consolation of Israel” (cf. Isa. 40:1-5). Simeon seems to have been a prophet and was filled with the Spirit whenever God gave him a message. There were likely many other ways God used Simeon through the Spirit, though this one story in Luke records all we know of him. 

His divinely granted mission (Luke 2:26). {We see here that men and women who have the Spirit upon them may at times have knowledge of specific events in the future. The purpose of specific, individual revelations like this one to Simeon is not always for public proclamation. Luke did not say that Simeon was told to prophesy that the Messiah would appear in his lifetime. He merely said that God revealed this fact to Simeon personally. 

Why would God grant foresight apart from a commission to preach what was revealed? There are many possible reasons. It may have been a comfort and a source of zeal for Simeon in his leadership at the temple to know he would be so blessed as to see Messiah. It also may be that he was given advance knowledge so as to prepare his life to be a testimony once Messiah was shown to him. The great moment of Messiah’s appearance as a baby at the temple was the greatest moment of Simeon’s life. 

His divinely granted appointment (Luke 2:27-28). On a particular day, Simeon came into the temple by the Spirit. Although the Spirit sometimes transported prophets supernaturally (Ezek. 3:14; Acts 8:39), the meaning here is more likely that the Spirit simply showed Simeon when to enter the temple and where to find Joseph, Mary, and the infant Messiah. This was a divinely revealed and granted appointment.}Q3 

Luke had already related the coming of Joseph and Mary to the temple to fulfill the laws of redemption of the firstborn and purification for the mother after childbirth (Luke 2:22-24). It was during this visit to the temple that Simeon saw them. Jesus would have been at least a month and a half old, as the purification of the mother was done after eight plus thirty-three days (Lev. 12:1, 3-4). When Simeon received the boy, he blessed God—an obviously appropriate response on such a powerful occasion. There is only one Messiah, and everything good springs forth from Him. 

SIMEON’S PSALM 

29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 

32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 

His satisfaction (Luke 2:29-30). {Having achieved the greatest purpose of his life, Simeon was ready to pass from this world into the next. For those who are near to God, there need be no fear about leaving this life; a better one is prepared for us. Simeon’s testimony teaches us that while we live, it is good to seek the fullness of our purpose. Simeon’s satisfaction and readiness to pass away have to do with being filled with meaning during this life. We should all seek rightness with God and be prepared for death.}Q4 

His prophetic perception (Luke 2:31-32). Though Jesus was only a small infant, Simeon knew that through Him God had prepared salvation. Salvation can mean all kinds of things, including the revival of Israel, rescue from oppression, realization of ancient promises, and, its ultimate meaning, reconciliation between God and human beings. Simeon knew this salvation had been prepared “before the face,” or in the sight of, “all people” (vs. 31) He likely meant that Messiah had come openly but was yet unrecognized. The Messiah had come for all peoples, not just Israel. 

{Simeon related what he knew from Isaiah about the Servant, who is a light to the Gentiles (Isa. 49:1-7).}Q5 Almost no one in Israel in Simeon’s time understood the Messiah’s role as Savior of all people. Jewish literature from the time rarely connects the Servant in Isaiah with Messiah. Simeon already understood things about Jesus that the disciples would grasp only after Jesus’ resurrection. Though Jesus would tell them His full mission, they would repeatedly not believe. Simeon, by the Spirit, saw far into the future and recognized the true identity of Messiah. 

SIMEON’S BLESSING 

33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. 

Words of blessing and prophecy (Luke 2:33-34). By this time, the idea that their son was Savior of Israel was not new to Joseph and Mary; what did amaze them was that there were those in Jerusalem who had been waiting for Him and recognized Him. The unfolding of the messianic promises was not an old story to them but the ongoing experience of their lives. To marvel at God’s deeds is a kind of worship. 

Simeon was possibly a priest, and this may explain why he was present as Joseph and Mary made her purification and paid for the redemption of their firstborn. If he was a priest, the blessing he gave them would have imitated that of Numbers 6:24-26. If he was not, then the blessing may have been from the words of the Psalms, which were frequently spoken at the temple, or a prophetically revealed blessing. 

The words of Simeon after the blessing were certainly a prophecy. Mary in particular was being prepared for the hardship of being the Messiah’s mother. Perhaps the words were directed at Mary because Joseph (to the best of our knowledge, since he is not mentioned later) would die before the difficulties of Jesus’ ministry and execution. Up till now, the description of Jesus’ role had been positive and inspiring. Yet now we hear there would be great trouble and controversy over Him in Israel. 

{Why would Jesus be a sign—and furthermore, a sign to be spoken against? He would be a sign that the messianic era had come. The blind would be healed. Repentance and faith in Israel would increase. Yet He would not fully bring the kingdom of God; so those who could not see God’s purpose in Jesus would be scandalized by His claims and His death, and they would disbelieve reports of His resurrection.}Q6 

Words of warning (Luke 2:35). {The words of Simeon’s prophecy to Mary are poignant. Her son would die by piercing. When she saw her son do things differently from what even she expected (cf. Mark 3:21, 31-35), when she saw Him rejected and was present at His crucifixion (cf. John 19:26-27), she would be pierced too.}Q7 

The last half of Luke 2:35 completes the statement from verse 34. Why would the thoughts of people in Jesus’ time need to be revealed? Many different religious notions and groups existed in Israel, all Jewish but with different ideas about what was most important. Religion was important and powerful, but as with all human institutions, it was tainted by corruption and the politics of power. This is equally true in the modern Christian world. 

The coming of the Messiah would reveal much about that generation. People said they had faith in God’s temple, His glory, and His promises. Yet would they recognize that God had come upon the scene, incarnate in the Son, whose true words challenged ideas of what it meant to be a Jew? When God comes on the scene, all pretense is revealed for falsehood, and genuine, humble faith remains. 

ANNA’S GOSPEL 

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 

37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 

38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. 

Her identity (Luke 2:36). {Other prophetesses in the Bible include Miriam (Ex. 15:20), Deborah (Judg. 4:4), Huldah (II Kgs. 22:14), and the daughters of Philip (Acts 21:8-9).}Q8 Anna is one of a few women so designated in the Bible. Luke tells us she was married only seven years before being widowed. This is another indication of her devotion to God, since she was widowed at a young age but chose not to remarry. This may imply that the mission she took up started early in life after her husband died. 

With no words of her prophecies recorded in the Bible, Anna is comparable to a number of prophets who are designated as such without a biblical record of their words. We can only wonder what Anna prophesied about and when. 

Her character and mission (Luke 2:37). Anna was eighty-four years old, having been a widow perhaps as long as fifty-five or more years. Whether she was supported by family members or by the generosity of strangers, we do not know. 

The saying that Anna did not depart from the temple is best understood as a Jewish expression for frequent worship. We need not think she had an apartment in the temple precincts. Instead, Luke relates that she was known to worship and serve often and for long periods of time in the temple. She was a person of extra holiness who engaged in voluntary fasting and extended prayers for others. She went beyond mere obligation in these things. They were for her a special calling. Not everyone is able to devote his or her life to this kind of service. As a widow, she did no other work. 

Her proclamation (Luke 2:38). An extraordinary person like Anna understood the coming of Jesus into the world. She is part of a group we know about only from Luke—Jews not of the Pharisees, Essenes, or Sadducees who were especially devoted to waiting for the messianic promises to arrive. Since she was a prophetess, knowledge of how to find the Messiah most likely came the same way as for Simeon—by the Spirit. 

{Anna’s thanks to the Lord could refer to a Jewish blessing, a psalm recitation, or to a new psalm given by the Spirit. Yet her words about Jesus were not limited to giving thanks. She also began telling others in the temple courts about seeing Him.}Q9 

{There must have been many others like Zacharias, Elisabeth, Joseph, Mary, Simeon, and Anna, whose great hope was in the days when God would redeem Israel. They knew their nation was still in spiritual exile. They knew Rome was not Israel’s greatest problem. It was a nation in need of faith and revival.}Q10 

The promises of the messianic era included a new heart and spirit for Israel. The nation would be redeemed from its human past and its many failures. The crucial factor in revival was and is the presence of Messiah, the only Redeemer. —Derek Leman Q