LUKE 2:21-35
INTRODUCTION
An obstetrician approached an anxious father in a waiting room of a New York City hospital and said, “I am sorry to inform you that your baby lived but two hours after his birth, though we did everything we could to save his life.”
As the sympathetic doctor was about to leave, the quick thinking father said, “I read only recently that human eyes are needed on corneal operations. Could my baby’s eyes be used to enable someone to see again?”
The next day the Red Cross carried an eye each to two different hospitals. In one, a corneal graft restored the sight of a working man with a large family. In the other, sight was given to a mother. A baby, who lived only two hours, gave physical sight to a grateful father and a mother.
Some 2000 years ago, a Babe came into our sin-darkened world to give spiritual sight to all who will receive it without money and without price. At His coming, “the people that walked in darkness saw a great light.”
I. THE CIRCUMCISION OF THE BABY V. 21
Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day in accordance with Jewish law (Gen. 17:12). He was born under the law to redeem those who were under the law (Gal. 4:4f.). In view of this, Jesus was subjected to the requirements of the law. Circumcision symbolized the Jews’ separation from Gentiles and their unique relationship with God. The actions that Joseph and Mary take are evident that they are people of faith. As devout Jewish parents, they obey the Mosaic Law by subjecting the baby to the law of circumcision. They also call the baby Jesus a name the angel gave before the conception of the baby even took place.
The emphasis in this verse is the significance of the name Jesus. While there were other Jews called Jesus, none was born of a virgin. None received the name Jesus from an angel of God; and none was conceived of the Holy Spirit, except Jesus of Nazareth. The name Jesus means Jehovah is Salvation. Jesus’ name corresponds with His mission on earth. He has come to save His people. The divine purpose is seen in the name given to the Son of Mary.
II. THE PRESENTATION OF THE BABY IN THE TEMPLE
VV. 22-24
Joseph and Mary are law-abiding Jews. They bring their baby to the temple to do the ceremonies required by God’s law. The parents have come to the temple to fulfill three requirements recorded in God’s law (1) The purification of a woman forty days after the birth of a male child (Lev. 12:2-4, 6); (2) The presentation of the first born to God (Ex. 13:2, 12, 16; 34:19; Num. 18:15-16); (3) and the dedication of the first born into the Lord’s service (1 Sam. 1-2). Though this dedication is like many that took place in Israel for centuries, this one is unique because of the call of this child. Prior to the purification, the mother is not free to touch anything sacred or to enter the temple (Lev. 12:1-8). Jesus’ parents bring Him along though that is not necessary. Jewish parents were not bound by any law to bring the child to the temple to observe these ceremonies. The Jewish parents were allowed to go through the ceremonies alone. But in the case of Jesus, they bring Him to the temple. His presence in the temple has a divine and prophetic purpose, but the parents are not aware.
Joseph and Mary offer a pair of doves or two young pigeons. This offering recalls Leviticus 12:8. Since this offering is the one usually made by the very poor, Jesus is identified with the very poor He reached out to save (1:52; 4:18-19; 6:20; 7:22-23). However, Joseph and Mary do not live in abject poverty, since Joseph is a carpenter (Mk. 6:3). The offering that Joseph and Mary present could be the offering of someone from a middle-class background as well. Regardless of their social status, Luke is making it clear that Jesus parents are not spiritual renegades, but Jews who are faithful and sensitive to the Mosaic Law. This shows that Joseph and Mary have a heritage of devotion to God. While God’s choice of Joseph and Mary was on the basis of grace, the couple was not a dirty vessel, but devoted to God. Jesus is God’s Son, but His earthly parents carry out these ceremonies according to God’s law. Jesus was not born above the law; instead, He fulfilled it perfectly.
III. THE PROPHECY OF SIMEON ABOUT THE BABY VV. 25-35
When Jesus was born the spiritual condition of the Jews at the time was generally low, but there were some that were genuinely pious and upright, who served God faithfully. These faithful ones were expecting the consolation of Israel—the salvation to come through the Messiah. One of the faithful people in Israel was the devout Simeon.
As Joseph and Mary proceed, they meet a pious old man, Simeon, in the temple. We are not told of Simeon’s vocation; all we know is that he is righteous and devout (v. 25). Simeon is a commonly used Jewish name, but this Simeon is otherwise unknown. His name appears only here in the entire NT. Yet, he is another witness to Jesus who possesses a vibrant walk with God. In the drama of Jesus’ birth, God includes many people who play important roles. For instance, the shepherds symbolized the average person on the street, while Simeon represents the testimony of a wise elder, who has walked with God. Part of Simeon’s wisdom is that he is looking for the hope of the nation, the consummation of God’s promise. Saints in touch with God’s heart often await expectantly the completion of God’s promises. This revered saint is led to see what the arrival of this child means. The Bible says The Holy Spirit was upon him. This is a continual presence of the Holy Spirit. In the OT times, the Holy Spirit would come upon people on special occasions, but a continuing presence was rare. Simeon’s endowment was something special. The Spirit had indicated to him in some way not specified that he would see the Messiah before his death. This is the way we can distinguish true prophecy from a false one. True prophecy will always be fulfilled no matter how long it tarries. Isaiah prophesied of Jesus’ birth 700 years before it was fulfilled (Is. 9:6-7). Jesus predicted that He would rise again from the dead three days after His death and He did. Jesus promised us that when He ascends to the Father, He will send us the Holy Spirit, and He did on the day of Pentecost. Jesus has promised us of His return. And one of these days He will descend from the clouds and all eyes will see Him.
Simeon, like Zechariah and Mary is expectant that God will deliver Israel. He has not given up believing that God will complete His promise, and his living in light of that hope brings perspective to the present event.
The Holy Spirit leads an old man to the temple to greet Jesus. The Spirit of God directs this scene because He has revealed to Simeon that death would not come until he has seen the Lord’s Christ. When God promises you something, He will fulfill it. God always directs you to the fulfillment of His promise. He is not a God of confusion or disappointment. Simeon takes the baby Jesus into His arms, and blesses God. Now that this long awaited promise has been fulfilled, Simeon is content to die in peace, because his eyes have seen the salvation of the Lord. This is the fulfillment of the prophecy many of the OT saints and prophets had anticipated. God allows an unknown Simeon to see this splendid prophecy come true. There is something about Simeon that I would like you to notice. It is one thing for the Spirit to come upon a person; it is another to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Simeon was sensitive to the Holy Spirit as such; he went to the temple as the Holy Spirit directed him. Are you sensitive to the Holy Spirit? Are you in tune with the Holy Spirit? When the Holy Spirit speaks, do you recognize His voice? Do you go where the Holy Spirit leads you? Are you surrounded by all kinds of noises as such when the Holy Spirit speaks, you cannot hear His voice? You and I are to learn to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit so that we can be in the center of God’s will.
Simeon praises God and says I am now ready to die. He says my work is finished because I have seen the baby Jesus, who has come as the way of salvation. To see Jesus is to see God’ salvation. They are inseparable. To see Jesus is to see God’s light and revelation. There is joy even in the face of death, when you have seen the way of life. Simeon’s work as a sentinel for the Messiah is done. The Lord can take him home. While some run away from death, Simeon welcomes it. While some plead to God for a second chance, Simeon joyfully invites it. While some bargain with God when it comes time for them to die, Simeon is ready to go to be with his maker. This tells you and me that Simeon was a man who was identified with doing God’s will. His willing surrender to the timing of his death shows his commitment to God’s timing. Here is a servant who seeks to do only what God has called him to do. The timing of his life and death are in God’s hands. Furthermore, having seen Jesus and knowing Him, Simeon is at peace. Everything else in his life pales in comparison. Death is not a terror to the child of God.
The statement that Simeon makes in verse 29 literally means the freeing or releasing of a slave from a long task after the task is completed. The place where Simeon makes his prophecy is significant to Jewish readers. The temple was the most sacred place for the Jews. Perhaps the high priest and other temple workers heard Simeon’s testimony about Jesus. Simeon says that this salvation is for all peoples. Here he is not referring to universalism—a belief that everybody will be saved whether you believe in Jesus or not. Rather, he is saying that God’s plan of salvation is not limited to the Jews; it includes the Gentiles. Jesus is a light of revelation to the Gentiles, which means that He opens the way of salvation to the nations in a way unknown before His coming. If it were not for Jesus, you and I would have not known the way of salvation, and we would have died in the darkness of sin. Jesus is also glory to Israel, for through Him they would perform their service of ministry to the world. All eyes will be drawn to Israel through what the Messiah achieves. Jesus is the magnet that makes Israel great. When the promises of God come, they come through the Promised One of Israel. Jesus did not come exclusively for the Jews; He came for the Gentiles as well.
Exclaimed little four-year-old Terrie, “He is not!” Startled, the mother asked, “He is not what, Terrie?” Terrie replied: “That man on the radio said he was going to sing ‘Jesus Is Mine,’ and He is not, because Jesus is everybody’s!”
This four-year-old is right. Nobody has exclusive claim on Jesus. No one race has a corner on Jesus. Jesus came for all peoples, black and white, yellow and red; all are precious in His sight. Jesus came to provide salvation to every person who gives Him room in his/her heart.
Verse 33 says, “Mary and Joseph were amazed at what Simeon said concerning Jesus.” The parents are amazed that Simeon knows all these things. Moreover, what Simeon says goes beyond the message of the shepherds. Our God is wise because He gets many and different people involved in the drama of Jesus’ event. God does not reveal everything about the birth and mission of Jesus to one person. He involves several persons. For instance, He involves Elizabeth and Zechariah. God involves the shepherds, Simeon and Anna the prophetess. God also involves the Magi, who were not from Israel. This implies that Jesus has come for all people, races and ethnicity, genders, and people of all ages. That is why I have a strong conviction that nobody has a corner on God. God is prepared to use anyone who surrenders completely to Him.
Joseph and Mary marvel because when the angel Gabriel made the promise of the conception, Simeon was not there. Joseph and Mary marvel for three reasons. (1) Simeon says that Jesus is a gift from God. (2) Simeon recognizes Jesus as the Messiah; and (3) Simeon says that Jesus will be a light to the entire world. The couple is amazed because what Simeon says is a confirmation of what God has revealed to them and others, example, Elizabeth, Zechariah, and the shepherds. But Simeon has not finished with Mary and Joseph. He adds that the baby Jesus is appointed for the rise and fall of many in Israel, and a sign to be opposed. Simeon is saying that Jesus’ life will be a paradox. In other words, Jesus will be the cause of division. The imagery Simeon uses comes from Isaiah 8:14-15 and 28:13-16. Jesus will split the nation in two. Some will see Him as someone to be opposed. Some will fall because of Him, while others will rise (Malachi 4:2). Some will respond to Jesus but other will oppose Him. People will contend for and against Him. With Jesus, there would be no neutral ground. You either joyfully receive Him or totally reject Him.
The road to promise-fulfillment is not smooth. The whole story of Jesus’ life is not sweetness and light. Salvation will be purchased at a heavy cost, and Simeon somberly records this. In His earthly ministry, Jesus Himself said that I have come to bring division—a father against his son, mother against her daughter. Unless you lose all pride in your own spiritual achievement, there is no place for you in the life, which Jesus brings. Before you can rise, you must first fall and take the lowly place; then you can rise (Micah 7:8). As a parenthetical thought, Simeon adds, and a sword will pierce your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed (v. 35).
The rejection that Jesus will experience from people will be like a sword that will pierce Mary’s soul. Mary will feel a mother’s pain as she watches her Son go His own way and suffer rejection. But the sword also reflects the pain you and I who have identified with Jesus feel as people reject what Jesus has to offer them. Mary’s soul will feel the severest pain when her Son is nailed to the cross. Ladies and gentlemen identifying with Jesus have painful personal consequences. Even when I preach and teach the word of God and nobody responds, it is sometimes painful, because I know in my heart that not everybody who sits under the sound of my voice knows Christ. There are some of you who are not living right yet you are not prepared to rededicate your life to Jesus Christ. What you are saying indirectly is that you are content with your life.
In effect, Simeon is saying that the suffering of Jesus will not leave Mary untouched. Mary would be grieved by the widespread rejection Jesus would face. This is the first note of sorrow in Luke’s Gospel. All along, the news about Jesus’ birth and mission has been glorious, but now it has a grim element. All the prophecies of Jesus’ birth and mission have been sweet, but now it is sour.
Ladies and gentlemen, you cannot remain neutral when it comes to Jesus Christ. Jesus is the litmus test of God for where you are. When you see Christ suffer, your reaction shows on which side you are. Since the coming of Christ, the human race has been divided into two; those who believe in Him, and those who do not. My concern is those who go to church but are indifferent to Jesus Christ. There is no neutral ground when it comes to taking a stand for Jesus Christ. Do you sense the need to depend on God and come to Him to walk in the light, or you don’t? Your response to Jesus reveals where you are before God, just as one day Jesus will reveal where everyone’s heart is (Acts 10:42-43). Young people are you going to take a stand for Jesus in school or are you going to join the crowd who uses His name in vain. Adults are you going to identify yourselves with Jesus or you are going to take a back seat as you have always done? Don’t be a chameleon Christian. When you are with other Christians, you behave like one, but when you are with unbelievers, you are one of them. A chameleon changes according to its surroundings. Are you going to share Jesus in the year 2002, or are you going to keep Him to yourself and allow many to die without Christ? Jesus is the great divide between the human races. To receive Him is to have eternal life; to reject Him is to embrace eternal loss and death. The choice is yours to make. Choose Christ and live. And if you have already chosen Him, determine to make Him known to people around you and those you come into contact.