By Douglas K. Wilson, Ph.D.
Dean of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
ANTICIPATED
Luke 2:25–38
God has always had a plan to redeem a people for Himself from every tribe, tongue, people and nation. In Genesis, He promised as much to Abraham (22:18), Isaac (26:4) and Jacob (28:14). “Abraham looked forward to see My day,” Jesus said (John 8:56).
The writer of Hebrews explains this anticipation through special revelation: “Long ago God spoke to the fathers by the prophets at different times and in different ways” (1:1). This we recognize to be the Old Testament. After approximately 400 years of prophetic silence on a national scale, “He has spoken to us by His Son” (Heb. 1:2).
While God gave no special revelation to the nation after Nehemiah and Malachi, God revealed Himself personally through angelic messengers and the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Luke has already introduced readers to Gabriel’s visits to Zechariah and Mary. In this focal passage, one will note that God also spoke to Simeon and Anna by means of personal revelation.
Anticipated (25–27)
Luke carefully provides context to the encounters with senior saints at the temple. First, he mentions the naming ceremony, where Jesus is circumcised and officially given His name on His eighth day, in keeping with Levitical law (Lev. 12:3). Second, Luke writes, “when the days of their purification according to the Law of Moses were finished.” That means at least 33 days passed (Lev. 12:4). Third, he points out that Mary’s purification and Jesus’ redemption tax were reasons for their visit to Jerusalem. Fourth, Luke implies that Joseph and Mary were poor, having only enough money to buy two doves, which the law allowed for the poor (Lev. 12:8).
Luke introduces Simeon by his character and his faith. Simeon was righteous; he believed what God revealed in the Scriptures. He was also devout; he was careful to live in covenant faithfulness to the law. Simeon was confident God would keep His promises regarding the Redeemer. The Holy Spirit guided him, and he received revelation that he would not die before seeing the Messiah. As he was led by the Spirit to enter the temple, he saw Jesus with Joseph and Mary, and he approached them.
Recognized (28–35)
Simeon recognized this infant as the Messiah. How did Simeon know? The Holy Spirit. Simeon thanked God for allowing him to see God’s promise fulfilled to him. Simeon also recognized Jesus as the fulfillment of His prophecies to Israel. Jesus is “your salvation” (Isa. 46:13). Jesus is “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Isa. 42:6). Jesus is “the glory to your people Israel” (Isa. 46:13). Don’t miss this! The salvation of God is revealed to Jews and Gentiles through Jesus.
After his words of worship, Simeon blessed Joseph and Mary and then uttered words of prophecy and warning. His words of prophecy foretold of the “rise and fall of many in Israel.” Then, he warned Mary that “a sword will pierce your own soul.” Of this, Howard Marshall writes: “The exclusion of Joseph from his statement is motivated (as far as the narrator is concerned) by the fact of the virgin birth and/or by the likelihood that Joseph died before the crucifixion and so did not experience the same pangs of sorrow as Mary.”
Shared (36–38)
Anna, another devout saint, began “to speak about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” She spoke up about God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Regardless of her age, her marital status or her gender, she told people who were anticipating the Redeemer that He was there. May we learn from her boldness and tell the world that Jesus has come.
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