We often forget Simeon’s worship during the busy Advent season.
But he’s just as significant to the Gospel story as Zechariah’s praise when naming John.
Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the Jerusalem temple for the Jewish rite of redemption when he was 40 days old.
When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
Luke 2: 22-24 (ESV)
What was Simeon’s worship about?
Righteous and devout, Simeon regularly visited the temple “waiting for the consolation of Israel.” (Luke 2: 25).
(The name Simeon, by the way, means “listening.”)
The Holy Spirit “was upon him,” and at some point, the Holy Spirit revealed, Simeon “would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”
Ponder that.
What would it have been like to have the Holy Spirit tell you the long-awaited Messiah was coming?
He didn’t say when, but you knew in your lifetime you would see him. What did that actually mean to him–the Holy Spirit? Would he have known anything about the Holy Spirit?
Luke, writing years later, whose “informant” was probably Mary, knew about the Holy Spirit.
(See this post about the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament).
Who is the Holy Spirit (note present tense)?
The third person of the Trinity.
So, we have the second person of the Trinity, Jesus, being presented to the first person of the Trinity, God.
And the Holy Spirit was directly involved.
Simeon’s worship, undoubtedly, focused on all three.
Who? What is the “Consolation of Israel?”
Consolation means “comfort, being consoled.” It can refer to a person who offers solace, comfort, or love during a difficult time.
The Bible is full of consolation, as found in Isaiah 40:1-2:
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
Isaiah 40:1b-2 ESV
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that her warfare is ended,
that her iniquity is pardoned,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins.
This passage refers to the Messiah–whom God promised to send in redemption for Israel’s sins.
When we read the Advent story in context for the larger story of God’s love for mankind, it looks different.
Our pastor noted recently that the whole nativity story takes place in 20 verses.
Simeon’s response to seeing baby Jesus takes 15 verses.
When you add in the prophetess Anna’s response, you’re at 18 verses.
What event–what part of the Messiah’s birth–should be most important to us? (Other than the fact He came!)
Why He came and what He did.
What did Simeon’s worship actually say?
What Simeon praised God for is key.
And he [Simeon] came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
Luke 2: 28-32 ESV
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
We don’t know Simeon’s age, but we can see the joy in his response.
Simeon knew what this baby meant.
Jesus came to provide salvation for all those who call upon the name of the Lord.
He was the promised Messiah. Jesus fulfilled the promise first given in the Garden of Eden.
As Got Questions explained:
The comforter of Israel would fulfill all the promises of the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants.
{He was] the One who would bring both personal and national salvation.
After all those years of waiting and praying for the consolation of Israel, God allowed Simeon to hold the Messiah in his arms.
In this child, Simeon saw the fulfillment of all the hopes and dreams of the Jewish people down through the centuries, and he was overjoyed.
Got Questions? The Consolation of Israel
We all praise God for Jesus’ birth and join Simeon’s worship of joy over His salvation.
Praise, Consolation, and Prophecy
Simeon spoke other words that day in Jerusalem. (Prophecy is worship)
He turned to the baby’s parents:
His father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and spoke 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 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
Luke 2:33-35 ESV
You decide as a mother– would you want to know this?
But then, didn’t God imply He chose Mary to be the mother of that Consolation of Israel?
As well as the Consolation of our–yours and mine–souls?
Simeon’s praise was just another confirmation of what Joseph and Mary knew about this baby.
And he’s ours, too.
Thanks be to God.
Tweetables
Simeon’s worship points to the Consolation of Israel. Click to Tweet
Worshipping God extends beyond Advent to today. Whatever day it is! Click to Tweet
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