The Revelation of An Old Man

Gospel	Luke 2:22-35

'You have prepared a light to enlighten the pagans'

When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Now in Jerusalem, there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:

‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,

just as you promised;

because my eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared for all the nations to see,

a light to enlighten the pagans

and the glory of your people Israel.’

As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’

For most of the world, Christmas is over, it ended as they turned off the lights on Christmas evening and went to sleep.  For us Christians, the play is just beginning.  We have witnessed so far the drama of finding a place to stay, the Holy Birth among the animals and hay, the shepherds who heard and believed and now we are amazed at the words of an old man, Simeon, who was waiting, as all of Israel for the Messiah.   Simeon had it revealed to him that he would not die before he saw the anointed one of God.  He came to the Temple every day, for where else would one find the Messiah.  Would not the Messiah come to claim what was His by birthright?  He came, like the shepherds, in faith and with the belief that God would fulfill His Word.  And God did, and Simeon was amazed!  The Holy Spirit pointed out to him Joseph, Mary, and the Baby.  The Messiah was in the Temple and the Messiah was a child, the son of a poor man and woman who was carrying two small doves which were the required sacrifice when the first son was dedicated to the Lord. 

Simeon hastened to the Family and looking right into Mary's eyes with tenderness and love he wordlessly asked to hold the Infant in his arms.  Mary, sensing the goodness of this holy man and inspired by the Holy Spirit placed the Child into Simeon's arms and great joy filled his heart.  He thanks God for revealing to him the Messiah and says that he is ready for God to take him home.  He turned to Mary, and with tenderness and a touch of sorrow he told her that her Son was destined for great things and the sign from God that He carried would be rejected and she too would feel the pain of this rejection.  We fade to black.

The presentation of Jesus at the Temple was to show that this boy would accept no privileges, would fulfill the law and in doing so He would free us from the law.  Mary would support her Son and His mission and in doing so would feel great joy and great sorrow that would break her heart.  It is telling that no words were spoken to Joseph by Simeon, but it is Joseph's name that the Child bore and this made the child legitimate in the eyes of the law for an illegitimate child had a rough time in Israeli society.  It was Joseph that would teach the Boy what needed to be taught.  He would instill in Him a work ethic, a respect for the Torah, and would point him on the way to His ultimate destiny, the Cross.  But Joseph would do these things and bow out of the story through death and Mary would have to do things on her own after that day.  

For now, however, the Family completed their task at the temple and they began to live the ordinary life of an ordinary family and they awaited, perhaps with some trepidation the next Work of God in this saga. 

While the video accompanying the song is not quite on point, listen to the words.  The artist is Michael Card.