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The Good News as Told to Simeon and Anna
by Samuel E. Ward
December 26, 2010
Introduction
It is important that the significance of Jesus' birth be fully presented and understood. Even with all that has been written about it and its story told, it is easily lost amid the commercial distractions. It reminds us of the story of the older woman who went to her favorite department store to shop and noticed a nativity scene placed prominently in its biggest window. "Now looked what they've done to Christmas," she grumbled. "They've gone and dragged religion into it!"
I'm not so interested in dragging "religion" into Christmas as I am to draw its message of redemption out of it. The so-called "Christmas Story" continues with Mary and Joseph fulfilling the obligations of the Law relative to the birth of a first-born in a Jewish family which will bring them into contact with two prophetic voices—Simeon and Anna—in the temple.
First let us make some observations concerning Joseph and Mary from Luke 2:21-24. Mary and Joseph were faithful Israelites committed to obedience to the Law and its requirements concerning the birth of Jesus.
A. Their Legal Obligation
(Lev 12:1-4 NIV) The LORD said to Moses, {2} "Say to the Israelites: 'A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period. {3} On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised. {4} Then the woman must wait thirty-three days to be purified from her bleeding. She must not touch anything sacred or go to the sanctuary until the days of her purification are over. . .{6} When the days of her purification for a son or daughter are over, she is to bring to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting a year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a dove for a sin offering. {7} He shall offer them before the LORD to make atonement for her, and then she will be ceremonially clean from her flow of blood. "'These are the regulations for the woman who gives birth to a boy or a girl. {8} If she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.'"
B. Their Loyal Obedience
1. Circumcision
(Luke 2:21 NIV) On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.
The circumcision was probably performed in Bethlehem eight days after Jesus' birth.
2. Purification
(Luke 2:22-23 NIV) When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord {23} (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord").
3. Atonement and redemption
(Luke 2:23-24 NIV) (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"), {24} and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."
I. The Good News as Told to Simeon
(Luke 2:25-26 NIV) Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. {26} It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
A. The Facts Concerning Simeon
1. He was described in terms of his character (righteous and devout).
2. He was probably not a member of the priesthood.
3. He was drawn to the Temple by the Holy Spirit, the Source of a blessed promise.
4. He was given consolation because he was looking for the Consolation.
Apparently there was a blessing to those who looked forward to Jesus' first coming as there is to His second. Paul was also nearing his earthly departure when he wrote the following:
(2 Tim 4:6-8 NIV) For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. {7} I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. {8} Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Did you notice? There is a blessing to us, as well, who look forward to His appearing. There are reasons to desire a delay in the Lord's return; we would like to see our unbelieving loved ones to come to faith in Christ first. But increasingly, as we grow older and wiser concerning the true nature of this world, we long for the kingdom of God on earth. It is one of our greatest hopes. We shall be given consolation because we are earnestly seeking the Consolation, Jesus Christ.
B. The Psalm Composed by Simeon
(Luke 2:28-32 NIV) Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: {29} "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. {30} For my eyes have seen your salvation, {31} which you have prepared in the sight of all people, {32} a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
1. He acknowledged the faithfulness of God to His promise.
2. He asserted the significance of the child's birth.
a. He is God's salvation.
b. He is light to the Gentiles.
c. He is glory for the people of Israel.
Everyone is to be blessed by the coming of Jesus into the world. His salvation is for all. This shall be the message until the coming of Jesus again as noted by the apostle John. . .
(Rev 14:6-7 NIV) Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth--to every nation, tribe, language and people. {7} He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."
C. The Closing Prophecy by Simeon
(Luke 2:33-35 NIV) The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. {34} Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, {35} so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."
1. Joseph and Mary marveled at Simeon's words.
2. Simeon blessed Mary and made this prophetic statement.
a. Some will be lifted up because of Jesus, others will stumble.
(Mat 21:42-45 NIV) Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: "'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone ; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes'? {43} "Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. {44} He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed." {45} When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus' parables, they knew he was talking about them.
b. Mary's soul will be pierced.
Indeed it was as she witnessed the crucifixion of her son.
(John 19:26-27 NIV) When Jesus saw his mother there [at the cross], and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," {27} and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
II. The Good News as Told to Anna
A. The Facts Concerning Anna
(Luke 2:36-37 NIV) There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, {37} and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
1. She was one of four true prophetesses mentioned in the Bible.
The other three are:
a. Miriam called upon Israel to celebrate God's deliverance.
b. Deborah combined the offices of prophetess and judge, even accompanying Barak into battle.
c. Huldah spoke God's words of judgment and forgiveness to King Josiah.
2. She was daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher (not a remarkable geneology) but shows her Jewishness.
3. She was a very old widow (eighty-four).
4. She was constantly in the temple worshiping, fasting, and praying. (She perhaps lived in one of the small rooms surrounding the temple area or nearby.)
She is was an exemplary widow of the type described by Paul in 1 Tim 5:5.
(1 Tim 5:5 NIV) The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.
B. The Encounter with Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus
(Luke 2:38 NIV) Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
1. It was an immediate recognition of the significance of the One before her.
2. It was cause to give thanks to God.
3. It was cause to proclaim the child and the hope of redemption for Israel to be found in Him.
III. The Good News Continues to Grow
A. The Trek Home
(Luke 2:39 NIV) When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
1. After the Law had been satisfied in Jerusalem.
2. To their own home town to live in Nazareth.
a. It was their home until they had to flee to Egypt perhaps three years later due to Herod's killing of the infants.
b. It was their home when they returned from Egypt until Jesus was full grown.
c. It was the place where He announced the beginning of His messianic ministry.
(Luke 4:14-21 NIV) Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. {15} He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. {16} He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. {17} The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: {18} "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, {19} to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." {20} Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, {21} and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
Jesus proclaimed His purposes:
i. To preach good news to the poor
ii. To proclaim freedom for the prisoners
iii. To restore sight to the blind
iv. To release the oppressed
v. To proclaim the year of the Lord's grace
d. It was the place where He was first rejected.
(Luke 4:22-30 NIV) All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. "Isn't this Joseph's son?" they asked. {23} Jesus said to them, "Surely you will quote this proverb to me: 'Physician, heal yourself! Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.'" {24} "I tell you the truth," he continued, "no prophet is accepted in his hometown. {25} I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah's time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. {26} Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. {27} And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed--only Naaman the Syrian." {28} All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. {29} They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. {30} But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.
i. The basis of the rejection was due to two issues: Jesus' family background (He was only the son of a poor carpenter named Joseph) and Jesus would not do any of the miracles in His hometown that He had done in Capernaum. Other passages indicate the reason was their lack of faith.
ii. The degree of their rejection is seen in the anger that moved them to want to throw Jesus off a cliff.
iii. The lesson learned as Jesus simply walks through the crowd untouched is this:
You can only reject Jesus but you can never restrain Him!
Conclusion
Those who have walked with Christ for a number of years (for me it has been nearly fifty years) wonder why anyone would ever turn down His gracious offer of forgiveness of sin and eternal life. If you choose to doubt His ability to save or even your need for salvation, on what do you base your doubts? Have you investigated the evidence? You probably accept the other things as true with much less. For that reason alone you are held accountable for your unbelief.
The time would be better spent instead of resisting Christ seeing if perhaps you might find rest in Him. Think about why you keep saying "No" to Him. If it is because of how other people have represented Christ to you, try letting Him represent Himself by reading the gospels. People have a tendency cloud the simple message of Christ or to try to use Him for their own purposes. Some are just plain ignorant. Get to know Him as the Scriptures reveal Him; then dedicate your life representing the true loving, redemptive, and forgiving Christ to others in the same compassionate way He revealed Himself when He walked the earth.
Just remember, Jesus is Who He is regardless of what you think Him to be.
(John 14:6 NIV) Jesus answered, : "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
