Simeon

Tonight on TV there is a programme in which Ant and Dec ask ‘What happens next?’ That is a good question to ask on the day after Christmas day - ‘What happens next?’ Luke 2 records three incidents - Jesus’ birth, Jesus dedication, Jesus’ Bar Mitzvah. Tonight we look at the second of these. It is known as ‘The presentation of Christ in the Temple’ and it actually records several presentations.

1) THE PRESENTATION TO THE LORD (2:21-24)

This explains why Joseph and Mary were in the Temple. Over the course of 40 days after the birth of a boy, the child was circumcised and the mother was purified.

a) Circumcision. It was a symbolic ceremony that took place when the child was eight days old. A sign of membership, of covenant incorporation, of God’s grace and favour. The OT equivalent of infant baptism.

b) Purification. After giving birth the Jewish woman was considered to be ritually unclean and for 33 days after the birth of a boy she could not enter the Temple courtyard. The Law prescribed a sacrifice (a lamb from a rich family and two birds from a poor family). The lay prescribed a payment (a fixed sum of five shekels. ‘They did what the custom of the law required’ (2:27).

Mary was purified and Jesus was presented to the Lord. The holy family subjected themselves to the Jewish law - do we subject ourselves to scripture?

2) PRESENTATION TO SIMEON (2:25ff)

In Luke 2 we are introduced to the godly remnant - Zechariah and Elizabeth, Joseph and Mary, Simeon and Anna. Simeon was ‘righteous and devout’ (2:25). He longed for the coming of the Messiah, ‘the Lord’s Christ’ (2:26).

Simeon was not a priest, though he pronounced a blessing. He was anointed with the Holy Spirit. But in the days before Pentecost the Spirit was not a permanent presence but a temporary guest.

Tradition has called Simeon the ‘God receiver’ - who took Jesus into his arms and praised God. ‘Your word has been fulfilled’, ‘My eyes have seen your salvation’ (2:29-30). For some time he had pondered on the word of God - do we reflect and ponder on God’s word?

3) PRESENTATION TO THE WORLD (2:31-32)

From the fifth century Simeon’s song has been used in Christian worship. It echoes themes from the OT. It speaks of salvation (2:30) and of revelation (2:32).

The name Jesus means ‘Saviour’ and as the prince of peace he brought peace to Simeon. Whom do you see in the arms of this ancient saint? Behold the Saviour! Notice why the Saviour had come:

a) To bring glory to Israel (2:32b)
The Jews had so much - the patriarchs, the covenant, the law, the prophets - all of which found their fulfilment in Jesus.

b) To bring light to the nations (2:32a)
Simeon’s insight was not new, but he saw what his contemporaries failed to see. ‘I will make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth’ (Is. 49:6). Behold the Saviour! Not just for the Jews, but for all mankind, that all might receive cleansing, forgiveness and new life in Christ.

Do we keep Jesus to ourselves and prevent others from seeing ‘the Lord’s Christ’?

4) PRESENTATION TO THE PARENTS (2:22, 33)

‘Their purification’ (2:22); ‘the child’s father and mother’ marvelled at what was said about Jesus (2:33). Two joyful, thankful parents. But their joy was tinged with sorrow. The gospel narrative includes both light and shadow. The light of God’s revelation in Christ but also the shadow of the cross extends across the cradle. In Simeon’s song there is reference to both stone and sword. The stone of offence and the sword, which would pierce Mary’s heart. In his ministry Jesus brought both peace and division, peace to believers and division to unbelievers. For us to follow Christ will bring both division and conflict.

Mary pondered these things in her heart, but do we? Do we understand both the joy and the sorrow, the light and the shadow?

5) PRESENTATION TO ... US

What sort of Jesus is presented to us in these verses? Too often the image at Christmas is of ‘baby Jesus meek and mild’. But here we see a strong, powerful figure, ‘the Lord’s Christ’. The Messiah. The Saviour! Who brings salvation; who brings peace; who brings a sword. The one promised long ago has come. The light has illuminated the darkness of sin.

Here is the one presented to us and it is to him that we must present ourselves - as lost men and women, as sinners who need to experience his forgiveness and cleansing. As those believers who echo Simeon’s words - ‘My eyes have seen your salvation ... now dismiss your servant in peace’.

Jesus is the Saviour - but is he your Saviour?