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, Simeon Sees Jesus. How old was Jesus when simeon and Anna saw him?Jesus was approximately 40/41 days old at the time His mother, Mary was required to make an offering at the temple (Leviticus 12:). I want to add: each jewish month has exactly 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, 3 1/3 seconds. Not everyone can be a prophet, however. To be a follower of Christ means that we have declared that nothing is more important, lovely, attractive, and worthy than Jesus! An old man called Simeon lived in Jerusalem. The passage in which Simeon blessed the baby Jesus and prophesied great things was an opportunity to prove to the readers of Luke's Gospel that Jesus was indeed the son of God. 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. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to . According to Luke, Mary treasures the angels message, but does not fully understand it. This will come through the ministry of Jesus and particularly through the cross and resurrection.. Simeon must have understood that Israels conversion would be realized only after the enlightenment of the heathen and the calling out of the Church. She is 84 years old, according to Luke, and she does not want to die: She wants to proselytize. He was in all probability an old man, though we are not told this, and no indication is given of his position in life, nor as to whether he was rich or poor. His meeting of the Christ-child was not an anomaly or a spiritual aberration. She is not shaking in her boots because inwardly Jesus is the Son of God. The reason we assume him to be old is that when he holds Jesus in his arms, he says to God, "Now you are letting your servant depart in peace." He may have been old, but not necessarily so. As a crowning reward of his life, God showed him that he should not die until the Christ came. In response, Mary made it quite clear to Gabriel that she understood: It is often assumed that Simeon was an old man, but the Bible never says that. He would not die until he saw for himself the coming Messiah. to say. It is . As a sword would pierce his heart, so figuratively a sword of suffering would pierce Marys heart. So we know from this that Jesus was 7 + 33 = 40 days old at the time of this ceremony. For these people, whether in Jerusalem or in other cities of the Holy Land, the sacrificial system of the Old Testament and the spiritual teachings of the prophets were adequate preparation for the coming of Christ. In Hebrew Baby Names the meaning of the name Simeon is: Obedient; listening; little hyena. Jesus walking on water in John 6:16-24. Some of the biggest misunderstandings come from people who are related to Jesus. The Spirit rested upon Moses, and his face shone like that. "The thoughts of many hearts will be revealed." In fact, he is so satisfied that having held the Christ-child he is now ready to die! After Pushing for UMC Unity, Former Bishop Joins New Denomination, I Was the Proverbial, Drug-Fueled Rock and Roller, Jesus Revolution Director: Were at the Forefront of a Return to God, Christian Conservationists Sue to Protect Ghana Forest, Complete access to articles on ChristianityToday.com, Over 120 years of magazine archives plus full access to all of CTs online archives. Simeon went into the church in Jerusalem. Jesus real name , Yeshua, evolved over millennia in a case of transliteration. He was doing just that - listening day by day, hour by hour, and moment by moment for the sound of the footsteps of the Son of God whose coming was drawing near. 32 a light that will reveal salvation to unbelievers and bring glory to your people Israel., 33 Jesus father and mother kept wondering at the things being said about him. He proclaims its rising, and he asks to be relieved from the post he has occupied so long. They have much to speak into our context. She may have been able to undertake this role in the Temple because she was no longer in periodic states of ritual impurity caused by menstruation. Zacharias the father of John the baptist was from the house of Abija, we read in Luke 1.5. Even modern day shepherds Simeon is so satisfied in the beauty God's ability to keep His word. Of course, in the end, Luke portrays Mary as successfully making the spiritual journey into the family of faith; in Acts 1:14, when the apostles gather in the upper room after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, Mary is with them. Nice job Susanna! 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). Luke wants to show that both of these people have been patiently waiting for the Messiah. The Holy Spirit allowed Simeon to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Luke 2:25-35 30 The angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. was saying and revelling himself at this age God had her back on this one! 30 because my eyes have seen your salvation, Gabriel made it quite clear to Mary who is Jesus: That hope motivated the righteous in Simeons day to hold on to the things of God despite the terrible events happening round about them. This practice carried over into English: in the King James Version, the name Simeon Niger is spelt Simeon . Healing the man blind from birth in John 9:1-7. Jesus was approximately 40/41 days old at the time His mother, Mary was required to make an offering at the temple (Leviticus 12:). You seem to have forgotten about Elizabeths greeting to Mary many months before Mary met Anna at the temple. When at last they find him listening to and asking questions of the teachers in the Temple, Mary asks, Child, why have you treated us like this? Behold the handmaid of the Lord; let it be unto me according to thy word., 3. Simeon knew that Jesus was special. Its amazing all the women named or not named. Mary startles when Gabriel and God the Father appear in her home and interrupt her prayers. 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 instantly and independently recognizes Jesus as messiah. The word Lord means Over-lord; the word servant means bond-servant; and the phrase, as you have promised indicates complete submission to the promises of the Lord. Under the impulse of the Spirit, he had come to the Temple and was performing his devotions when Jesus arrived. I am surprised no one else caught this prior to publication. When that old man went out of the world he took nothing but a soul. A remnant of Gods people are looking for another prophetic fulfillmentthe advent of the Messiah in glory, attended by his angels, to establish justice and peace on earth. I said that I had not. GOD THE FATHER, HOLY SPIRIT, JESUS AND MARY AT THE TEMPLE Simeon represented himself as a sentinel whom his master had placed in an elevated position and charged to look for the appearance of the Star. 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). In John 21, Jesus is asking Peter if he really loves Him. Peace is not linked to an absence of conflict or pain, but to the assurance that God keeps His word. website? But the beauty is not limited here to Simeon's experience alone. And at the outset of a long chain of such prophetic insights stand Simeon and Anna, one satisfied that prophecy has been fulfilled and the other pointing to the future, a future as bright as the promises of God. Put all of that together and what you have is a very costly gospel. Harold John Ockenga is president of Gordon College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Wenham, Massachusetts), positions he assumed after serving as pastor of Park Street Church in Boston for over thirty years. 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). Mary and Jesus. How did he meet the test of life? Simeon thanked God that he was able to see Jesus the savior! Simeon believed in the imminence of the Messianic age. Anna begins to preach: She came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. Both are quicker than Mary to comprehend who Jesus is. 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). So, I'd like to call you to be like Simeon - a man supremely satisfied with a costly gospel. Simeon suggested to Mary, A sword shall pierce through thy own soul also. He did not leave the parents upon the mount of elevation but included a drop of bitterness through the prophecy that this helpless Baby was to be the suffering and dying Messiah. Who are we to really imply something different for the amazing Simeon and his song??!!! The earth-shaking miracles and wonders are . Simeon recognised Jesus as the Christ as soon as he saw him, and blessed the young family. 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. The violations of the Law of God, the iniquity, immorality, and injustice of their day, only deepened their desire for the fulfillment of prophecies concerning the advent of the Messiah. A suffering messiah was not yet on The peace that Simeon is talking about is linked to two phrases - "according to your word" and "for my eyes have seen your salvation." 2. He saw the gospel clearly, and he was a satisfied man. degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from the University of Durham in England. 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. Who were the models in Van Halen's finish what you started video? He prayed, "God, You kept Your promise, and I have In fact, people may even laugh at your Christ-centered satisfaction. And she wont for several years. Mary and Joseph bring Jesus into the temple to dedicate Him forty days after his birth. Most of parenthood is like this for me. According to Matthew and Luke, however, Joseph was only legally his father. The Bible does not mention his age at all , but it does say he The Law also allowed, in the cases of poverty, for two pigeons or turtledoves to be offered instead of a lamb. "Yeah, I know you'd probably leave your husband, but I'm going to believe that God can restore our marriage." By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. THE WEDDING AT CANA bringing peace to earth and rebuilding the temple. He saw him as the beauty of God saying, "Promise Fulfilled." Simeon took the baby Jesus into his arms. Having seen the messiah, Simeon is now prepared to die. It will not make sense to them, and honestly it shouldn't. What a gift that God had given him! (The same Spirit told him to go to the Temple that day, too.) husband passed away seven years after her wedding. news about the Christ Child to everyone in Jerusalem looking for Also read Numbers 8:17 and Numbers 18:14-1, The angel Gabriel spoke to Mary about the birth of Jesus, An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, Angels praised God for the birth of Jesus, Jesus at 40 days old was taken to the Temple, Magi traveled from the East to find Jesus, King Herod the Great plans how to kill Jesus, Timeline for Birth of Jesus The Christmas Story, Background Information Birth of Jesus The Christmas Story. He was satisfied with the gospel. Wiki User. When Joseph (far left) and Mary (left of center) bring baby Jesus to the Jerusalem Temple, they are greeted by Simeon, who embraces the baby, and Anna, the New Testaments only prophetess, shown at right with a scroll, in this 1342 tempera painting by Ambrogio Lorenzetti. Never has there been a sign more spoken against than that of the Virgin Birth and its attestation to the deity of Jesus Christ, namely, that he is God with us, or Emmanuel. Simeon, a right living and very devout man of faith, was frequently in the Temple meditating, and in a constant state of anticipation of the most significant foretold event in the Jewish faith the arrival of the Jewish Messiah. 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). Christ is the touchstone of human hearts. That light was symbolized by the Star of Bethlehem, which shone in the dark night when the Prince of Life came into a world torn by avarice, hatred, and war. God gave her a job to do and she is doing it. In this beautiful scene, the aged Simeon takes the Baby Jesus up in his arms and expresses his delight and joy to God in a brief prayer. Simeon's righteous faith qualified him to see something incredibly special. Learn more about Anna in Robin Gallaher Branchs Bible History Daily article Anna in the Bible.. "A sword will pierce through your own soul also." The text states that Simeon was eventually subdued by Manasseh, and imprisoned. He is a godly man who is satisfied with a gospel that is a beautiful and costly treasure. Simeon had an insight into dispensational truth, as verses 30-32 indicate. The Holy Spirit led Simeon to the Temple on the day Joseph, Mary and Jesus were there. Surely youll recall how the unborn John the Baptist leaped in his mothers womb at the presence of Mary and the unborn baby Jesus? Its very well written; I love what youve got Therefore, if you could see Simeon in the temple courtyard holding the baby Jesus with his eyes lifted to the vast sky of Jerusalem you would see a satisfied old man! Mary, for example, does not fully understand what Anna immediately recognizes. What did Simeon do when he saw Jesus? 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed" (Luke 2:25-35 ESV). 161162. Of course, no one knows how old Simeon was when God gave him this assurance. Granted it is glorious and attractive, but it is not safe. At that circumcision ceremony babies were given their name. Godly people are supremely satisfied and they celebrate a costly gospel. Luke 2:36-38 tells us that Anna, a prophetess, from the tribe of Asher, was an 84 year old widow, when she saw Jesus at the temple. God is going global! The Bible does not tell us his age, but one thing is very clear he was a very, very old man.But he was the man who recognized Jesus was the savior even with his dim eyes. If Mary were first to know, then surely Elizabeth was second, or if Mary did not realize, then Eizabeth was first to know. Simeon got it and he saw it! 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. Their hearts were right with God. Simeon does not domesticate the gospel or the Messiah. 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. Anna was about 106 years old depending upon when she wed. the angels (you will find the babe swaddled and laying in a manger.). 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. The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would die before he saw the Home / / how old was simeon when he saw jesus. She didnt understand why he Subscribers receive full access to the archives. I made the telemarketer laugh. Seems to me, she was there to let the rest of us know. One's response to Christ reveals the true condition of the heart. The article was first republished in Bible History Daily on February 12, 2013. One issue does provide some hesitation for me though. He knew Jesus was the Son of God. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. The pairing of Simeon and Anna reflects Lukes penchant for male-female parallelism when he writes about the recipients of divine blessing and salvation. how old was simeon when he saw jesus. We have an extra set here at our office. It was the day of the year when all the candles, that were used in the church during the coming year, were brought into church and a blessing was said over them so it was the Festival Day (or mass) of the Candles. By now my food was getting cold so I said, "YeahI really wouldn't like $15,000 either." He will either accept him or reject him. Simeon had the infant Jesus in his arms and, moved by the Holy Spirit, sang the Nunc Dimittis, Latin words for "now dismiss." We . www.yourchurch.com. Teaching Women of the Bible. She, too, recognizes Jesus as messiah, but she has a very different reaction: At that moment, she came and began to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:38). Rather, it was the summit of his life-long experience with God. 2:7, 8). In this way Luke both prepares for and signals one of his major themes in the Gospel of Luke and in Actsthe least, the last and the lost are becoming the most, the first and the found with Jesus coming. In the birth narratives about Jesus, we meet Simeon and Anna, who were also "waiting for consolation" (Luke 2:25). 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. i know PROTESTANTS dont credit private interpretations. Have something to add about this? wish to examine some-more about his analysis? Then Simeon announced that the Child was for a sign which shall be spoken against that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. This also was a quotation from Isaiah (7:14). He saw one of the most important events in world history! When Simeon saw the Lords Christ, he took him up in his arms and blessed God, saying, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. This taking Jesus into his arms was an act of the will by Simeon. Simeon declared, Mine eyes have seen thy salvation. The Child is here equated with Gods salvation. She was very old, around 84 years old when she saw Jesus in the temple.Refer also to Luke 2:36-38. Let us know if corrections need to be made. 2 Nangyari, nang mga araw na iyon, na lumabas ang isang batas mula kay Augusto Cesar na nag-uutos na dapat magpatala ang buong sanlibutan. He holds the Th.B (Westminster Seminary) and Ph.D. (University of Pittsburgh). "Yeah, I know that we could buy that, but we'd rather give our money away." Thus Simeon was driven under the impulse of the Spirit into the Temple, and when he was confronted with the Christ Child, it was necessary to receive him into his arms, not doubting because of the poverty, the humility, or the insignificance of this family. It wasnt that Mary had forgotten that Jesus was also the Son of God that she didnt understand. For some reason, Simeon, alone of all people, had been promised that he would not die before he saw the Lord's Anointed (Christ). In addition, a gift of five shekels to the Temple was required as an acknowledgment of Gods claim over the firstborn male of the household; the child was thus redeemed from sacred duties to enter the secular life. IVE JUST FINISH READING ANNA IS A PROPHETESS FOUND LUKE 2:36. 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. Your email address will not be published. disciple. What is that point? The prophet Anna was a widow who never left the temple after her He was waiting for eschatological . The story of Simeon is a reminder that this Christmas season is essentially about the far-surpassing joy that a personal relationship with Christ brings.

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how old was simeon when he saw jesus

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