WWUTT 2277 Simeon's Lullaby (Luke 2:25-35)

A man named Simeon was in the temple when Mary and Joseph came in with the Christ child and he took the baby

Jesus in his arms and praised God for revealing salvation to men when we understand the text.

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Pastor Gabe. Thank you Becky and our study of the Gospel of Luke. We continue where we left off yesterday, meeting a man today named

Simeon. This is Luke chapter 2 verses 25 -35, hear the word of the

Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. And this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the

Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the

Lord's Christ. And he 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, Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace according to your word.

For my eyes have seen your salvation, that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples a light for revelation to the

Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel. And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.

And Simeon blessed them and said 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.

Now this section here, this encounter with Simeon broken up into three parts.

You first have the narrative concerning Simeon introducing us to who he is. And then

Mary and Joseph enter the temple and Simeon has that opportunity to take the Christ child in his arms.

The next part, we have Simeon's song that's in verses 29 to 32. And then lastly, we have

Simeon's address to Mary in verses 33 to 35. So let's come back up to verse 25.

This is the only place where Simeon is mentioned. He's not mentioned in any of the other three gospels, but it's simply to reveal how

God was prophetically working, how he was fulfilling prophecy even through the birth of Jesus.

As we considered yesterday, Luke showed us how Jesus, even in his infancy, was fulfilling the law.

And here's the portion where we are seeing that he is even fulfilling prophecy. Now Matthew had written this a little bit differently than Luke did.

From the very beginning, he was telling the story of Jesus' birth. And then periodically, as he was unfolding that narrative, he would make references back to the

Old Testament. This was to fulfill what was said by the prophet, and then there would be a reference to Isaiah or somewhere else.

Hosea 11 .1 would be another one. So here in Luke, it isn't so much a reference back to Old Testament prophecies, but it is showing how

God had prophesied the coming of the Messiah, and how even in the time of Jesus' birth, there were promises that were being made to men who were there.

Simeon was likely a recognizable figure at the time that Luke wrote his gospel. So when

Jews were hearing about this, the man who was righteous and devout, who served in the temple, whose name was

Simeon. There were Jews who knew exactly who that was. And so God had told to him, just like God had told to Zechariah.

We had the angelic appearance to Zechariah in chapter one. And here we have how the

Lord had spoken to this man, Simeon. He would not have to see death until he got to see the

Lord's Christ. So this was what was prophetically said to him. And this was likely known, even among the

Jews, that Simeon had said such a thing. The Christ is going to come in my lifetime, and I know this because the

Lord has said so. And I won't depart until I've had the chance to see the

Messiah whom the Lord has brought. So in verse 25, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was

Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout. Now this was just like what was said about Zechariah and Elizabeth in chapter one, that they were both righteous, that they feared

God and kept his commands. And so likewise, this is being said of Simeon.

It's also said in Acts 2 verse 5, there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.

Now that was devout to Jewish custom and Jewish law. They were obedient to the scriptures that God had given to his people.

And this is being said so of Simeon as well. This is a man who followed God's word, who trusted his word.

And he was waiting for the consolation of Israel. Isaiah 40 verse one says, comfort, comfort my people, says your

God. 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 from all her sins. This very thing that had been prophesied in Isaiah is exactly what is being talked about here.

Isaiah 57, 18, I will not contend forever. I will not always be angry.

I will lead him and restore comfort to him and to his mourners.

This is what Simeon is waiting for. What is the resolution that God is going to bring about that will finally bring peace to Israel?

And remember, we talked about this piece in earlier in the chapter when the angels had appeared to the shepherds and said, you know, this, this famous line from the angels, we recited every

Christmas glory to God in the highest. And on earth, peace among those with whom he is pleased seems to be kind of a theme here in chapter two, talking about the coming of this piece.

Simeon is looking for this piece, the consolation of Israel that will come through the arrival of the

Messiah. And as I said last week, when we were talking about that peace proclaimed by the angels, peace with whom he is pleased, this is peace between God and man.

And not everyone receives this piece. I mean, we can see in the world right now the chaos that is going on.

We're in an election season at the time that I'm recording this. So there's definitely all kinds of chaos going on.

There are even aspects of law enforcement around the United States that are preparing for the worst.

Some are doing drills and training exercises in case there are riots and things like that.

I heard recently about helicopters that were lifting off from the White House lawn and landing again, and they were practicing drills.

No telling if that was to try to drum up some sort of major concern among the media or if they genuinely are concerned about having to evacuate the president quickly.

But that's what's going on even in my own nation. And that's not to say anything about the unrest that is happening in other parts of the world.

Constant conflict happening in the Middle East, governments that are oppressing people in different parts of the globe.

There's always some sort of chaos and conflict all the time. So how can it be that since the arrival of the

Savior, it could be said, peace on earth and goodwill towards men? Well, because that is toward those whom

God shows his favor. Those who have the Savior, who believe in Jesus Christ, only they know this peace.

There is no peace for the wicked, as we read earlier this year in Isaiah. There is peace only for those who believe in Jesus.

And it's a peace that surpasses all understanding. It is peace with God. Our sins are forgiven.

And this is the kind of peace that was prophesied for Israel. It is from you that the prince of peace will come and all who believe in him will know this peace greater than any kind of peace that you can know on earth.

You will know peace with God. It is a promise to Israel. And as Simeon will say here in his song, it is a promise, a revelation even to the

Gentiles, all who would believe in him. The Holy Spirit was upon Simeon in verse 26.

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the

Lord's Christ or would also be known as the Lord's anointed, the anointed one prophesied in the book of Isaiah.

In verse 27, and he came in the spirit into the temple. So it seems to be that something led him there.

Not that he wasn't regularly serving in the temple anyway, or ministering there in some aspect in Jerusalem around the temple, but something that day, the spirit brings him into the temple.

And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him according to the custom of the law, which we considered yesterday,

Simeon took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, and here's Simeon's song verses 29 to 32, a praise unto the

Lord, because God had fulfilled what he had promised to Simeon. Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace according to your word.

Now, first of all, isn't that fascinating? Simeon is praising God that he gets to die. But as he dies, he will depart in peace for he knows that the savior who will reconcile man and God has come and Simeon got to see him.

And so his passing, his passing from this earth into glory would be a journey of peace.

Your servant will depart in peace according to your word for my eyes have seen your salvation.

And that is Jesus Christ, not just God incarnate, not just the son of God. Certainly he is those things.

He is salvation itself. Believing in Jesus, we are saved.

Our sins are forgiven. We are reconciled to God. This peace that was prophesied is ours in Christ Jesus.

Verse 31 that you have prepared this, this salvation you have prepared in the presence of all peoples.

It's the consolation of Israel, but it is a peace that will be for all people.

Salvation for all very similar again to what the angels said to the shepherds earlier in the chapter, verse 32, a light for revelation to the

Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel reference here, even to the old

Testament prophets, Isaiah 42, six. I am the Lord. I have called you in righteousness.

I will take you by the hand and keep you. I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations to open the eyes that are blind to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon from the prison.

Those who sit in darkness. I am the Lord. That is my name. My glory.

I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. Behold, the former things have come to pass and new things.

I now declare before they spring forth. I tell you of them. And we're going to see, even as we continue in Luke, how

God is fulfilling, continuing to fulfill this prophecy through Jesus. So he is a light for revelation to the

Gentiles that they would know God as the apostle Paul had put it. Those who were far off have now been brought near.

So the Gentiles get to know God through this savior, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people,

Israel, as we read in Isaiah 45, 25 in the

Lord, all the offspring of Israel shall be justified and shall glory.

Now, of course, Paul makes a distinction in Romans nine, that there's true

Israel. And there are those that though they are called Israel are not really Israel.

So all of Israel being saved is in reference to true Israel for glory to your people,

Israel, those who like Simeon are devout, who know God, who trust his word, who believe in him and especially know his son.

They will receive the glory that is promised in Christ. Remember what was said in Luke chapter two by the angel, fear not, but for behold,

I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. And here we have it in Simeon song.

It is news for the Gentiles that even they get to be welcomed into the kingdom of God glory for your people,

Israel, who have been looking for and anticipating the fulfillment of those things that God had spoken to the prophets.

Now, this song Simeon song has been turned into multiple Christmas songs.

There are various versions of Simeon song that you can find on a multitude of Christmas albums.

Some of you have been around for a while and know Christian music going back to like the seventies and eighties.

You're familiar with some of these songs that go way back. Michael Cards is one of my favorites, and I cannot remember when he recorded this, but I know

I've been hearing it almost my entire life. So I'm not sure which album this was.

It's on one of his collection albums called Michael Card. The early works that goes back.

How long has Michael Card been doing music? 40 plus years, probably right. So there is a song called now that I've held him in my arms.

That is, it is a great rendition of Simeon song. Highly recommend that one to you.

I just listened to it before I got on this broadcast. You know, I really wanted to play these. So one of the reasons why

I searched for these songs and pulled them up was to go down memory lane a little bit because I just remember all these great songs from when

I was a kid that were attributed to Simeon song. And so I pulled some of those up like this one from Michael Card.

I want to play them, but I can't just the way that copyright works on these things. My podcast episode would get a black mark, and it probably would not post on some of the different places that it posts because I have a copyrighted song, and it's just the way these things go.

But I recommend that one to you. Maybe if you got some free time, pull it up on YouTube because that's where I listen to it now that I've held him in my arms by Michael Card.

Here's another great one. Oh, man, this is the one I wanted to play. But it's from a duet named

Wendy and Mary, and the song is called Simeon's Lullaby.

Now, from what I understand, this was on an album that was released in 1992 by Sparrow Records.

I really think this song is older than that. I don't think that it originated from 1992.

I know Wendy and Mary were way earlier than that, like at least 10 years earlier than that.

So this song could have even been late 70s. I don't remember when this was recorded, but I recommend that one to you as well.

Wendy and Mary, Simeon's Lullaby. I'm astonished. It only has like 15 ,000 plays on YouTube.

I'm going to listen to this one several more times between now and Christmas. This has already put me in the

Christmas spirit, but I have loved the different renditions I've been able to find of those who have taken this song and have put it to music.

There's some other ones as well, and you probably have a favorite also. Continuing on from here, the address that Simeon gives to Mary, verse 33, and his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.

This has got to be pretty astonishing. Already, it's astonishing. Joseph and Mary know they have a miracle baby here.

They know that, but it's still got to be pretty amazing when you're walking into the temple and a man just snatches up the baby and begins prophesying and praising

God because of this child. And verse 34, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel.

So going back again to verse 32, where it says a light of revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people,

Israel. Again, there's a true Israel and there's those who are Israel in name only.

And so there are many who are going to fall in Israel because of this child. Of course, we know among the

Pharisees, the scribes, those that had opposed Christ, Jesus even prophesying of the destruction of the temple.

And then the temple falls and Jerusalem is even conquered. That would happen 40 years after Jesus' resurrection in AD 70.

So he is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel and for a sign that is opposed, likely in reference to the fact that the gospel of Jesus Christ, as good news as it is, as the message of the gospel is for our salvation and are being reconciled to God.

There are many who are going to oppose it. And Jesus saying to his disciples, remember when they hate you, they hated me first.

And so Simeon says to Mary, a sword will pierce through your own soul also.

And we have it recorded in the gospels that Mary was there at the cross as Jesus died.

And this is Simeon prophesying how this child has come to die. And again, we've talked about this before.

We were in Matthew and in Mark. We're going to see this also in Luke. There are many who anticipated that the arrival of the

Messiah meant that he was going to ascend the throne in Israel and kick out our oppressors.

The Romans are gone. The Herod's are going to be out. There were not many who believed that he was going to die.

There was the song from Michael W. Smith back in the 80s while we're talking about contemporary Christian music in the 80s.

But he had that song called Secret Ambition. Nobody knew his secret ambition, that Jesus came to die.

He came to give his life away so that all who believe in him, he dies as an atoning sacrifice so that those who put their trust in him, our sins are forgiven and we have everlasting life with God.

So a soul will pierce through your own soul. This is Simeon saying to Mary, this child will die.

The opposition to what he is and what he preaches will lead to his death.

But of course, all of this by the sovereign hand, the plan of God. And so Simeon concludes saying, so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.

Revelation 2 .23, Jesus says, I am he who searches mind and heart and I will give to each of you according to your works.

And this is in fulfillment of what is said in prophecy, because God says to Jeremiah, we're going to jump on Jeremiah Thursday of this week.

The Lord said to Jeremiah that he is the one who knows mind and heart. And when

Jesus says this about himself, it is showing that he is the one who is being talked about even by the prophets who knows the mind and the heart of man.

That is Christ. We're going to see this through Luke's gospel as well, how Jesus knows what is in the mind and in the heart of every man so that the thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.

Everything that is concealed will be made known at the final judgment. There is nothing that you can hide from God.

All will be laid bare. And the only way that we enter into eternal life is by faith in Jesus Christ who forgives our sin so that all that we have done that will be laid bare on that day of judgment will have been atoned for.

It will have been paid for by the precious blood of Jesus. So turn from your sin to the

Lord Jesus Christ and live. Know that there is nothing that you think, nothing that you do that is hidden from God.

He knows all. Praise God for that. It's wonderful to have this relationship with God, which we have through Jesus Christ.

But don't try to hide it from God. Confess your sins and live in the righteousness of Christ.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for what we have read today. And I pray that we depart from this lesson in peace, knowing that we have seen your salvation, how your scriptures reveal

Jesus Christ, our Savior, to us and what he desires of us, that we may live in his ways, looking toward his kingdom, anticipating his return and the day that we will be brought together with him into eternity.

Until that day comes, may we live as faithful servants of your kingdom here on this earth.

It's in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to When We Understand the Text with Pastor Gabe Hughes.

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