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September 1930
ingsbeen realized, he was satisfied and was ready to fall asleep in peace. V. 30. Have seen thy salvation. In the Christ child he beheld the .world’s Saviour. He would have had no peace had he not seen Him (cf. Rom. 5 :1; Eph. 2:14, 17). V. 31. Which thou hast prepared. God’s salvation is “prepared before the face of all peoples” and not limited to God’s chosen people. Simeon’s outlook was broader than that of the bigoted rulers of Israel but not contrary to the spirit of the prophets (cf. Isa. 42:6; 60:3). V. 32. A light for revelation to the Gen tiles. The Gentiles do not belong to the covenant race, yet the salvation of Christ is for them also. The glory o f thy people Israel. Christ has indeed a special rela tion to Israel. This title, “the glory of Israel” is in the Old Testament given to Jehovah (Isa. 60:19; Zech. 2:5). The conclusion must be that Jesus is Jehovah manifest in the flesh. It is significant that Simeon mentions the Gentiles first. How could he have learned, except by the Holy Spirit, that Israel’s glory will come to them after the “ fulness o f the Gentiles” (cf. Rom. 11:25-27)? II. Simeon and Mary (33-35). .V. 33. His father and his mother were marveling. The prediction that through Jesus salvation was for all the world went farther than anything they had yet heard. V. 34. Simeon blessed them. He prayed God to bless them. Said unto Mary his mother. He singles out Mary the mother o f Jesus, evidently knowing by the Spirit that Joseph was not his natural father. Behold, this child. Simeon as a student of the Scripture knew that Messiah would be a stone o f stumbling to some (cf. Isa. 8:14, 15; 53:3), and to others a founda tion stone and a stepping stone to a higher life. A sign which is spoken against. Christ was a sign to His own generation (Lk. 11:30). There were,some who re ceived Him and His teaching, but many who opposed and rejected Him. V. 35. A sword shall pierce. Mary’s sor rows soon began and deepened as she watched the growing hostility to Jesus during His public ministry. The final thrust o f the sword came when she saw Him dying on the cross. That thoughts o f many hearts. Character is revealed in its true light in the presence o f Jesus Christ. The religious Pharisees stood be fore Him branded as hypocrites. Did Si meon have them especially in mind? III. Anna and Jesus (36-38). V. 36. There was one Anna. A common name, the same as Hannah o f the Old Testament. She was a prophetess of the tribe o f Asher, one of the ten northern tribes. V. 37. Had been a widow. She was past 100 years of age and had been widowed for 84 years. Departed not from the tem ple. She was always present at the hours of prayer. Some have thought that be cause she was a prophetess she was al lowed within the temple area, but so good an authority as Edersheim says that Jew ish law would positively forbid this. Wor shipping . . . night and day. Not too old to labor in prayer. Undoubtedly she prayed constantly for the speedy coming o f Mes siah. V. 38. She gave thanks unto God. Her prayers were answered; she saw and re cognized her long-looked-for Saviour.
believed that in this time of need He could and would help. Her confidence and faith in Him were justified by the manner in which He proved His power. When Jesus was on the Cross He thought o f His mother and cared for her. John, the beloved disciple, took her into his own home. The last glimpse we have of Mary is at the Mount of Olives, where with His disciples she watched Him as cend into heaven, and heard Him speak the last words giving the commission to carry the news o f salvation to every crea ture. What comfort and joy it must have brought to her heart when the angels ap peared, saying that “this same Jesus” shall one day' come again! Prayer. — o— October 19, 1930 Simeon and Anna (The Insight of the Pure in Heart) Luke 2:25-39. Lesson T ex t : Luke 2:25-39. Golden T ex t: Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). * $ j * L esson in O utline I. Simeon and Jesus (25-32). 1. Simeon’s preparation. a. His character—just and de vout (25). b. His hope—looking for Mes siah (25). c. His endowment—Holy Spirit upon him (25). d. His revelation—by the Spirit (26). 2. Simeon’s hope realized (27, 28). 3. Simeon’s song o f praise (29-32). a. Praise for peace in believing (29, 30). b. Praise for salvation—Christ the light for, Gentiles; the glory of Israel (32). II. Simeon and Mary (33-35) . 1. Mary and Joseph blessed. 2. Mary warned. III. Anna and Jesus (36-38). 1. Anna a devout worshiper (36, 37). 2. Anna’s thanksgiving (38). 3. Anna’s testimony (38). IV. Return to Nazareth (39). * * * A pproach to the L esson AFTER the visit of the shepherds Mary 3 and Jesus were removed to a more suitable abiding place. When He was eight days old the Babe received the name of Jesus. He was presented “before the Lord” in the temple when He was forty days old, fulfilling the law concerning the redemption o f a firstborn son (Ex. 22: 29). This custom grew out o f the fact that on the passover night the firstborn o f Israel were saved from the death an gel’s ppwer (Ex. 11:4, 5; 12: 12-14). On the same day Mary fulfilled the re quirements of the law for her ceremonial purification (cf. Lev. 12). Because o f her poverty she was permitted to bring as a burnt offering a pair of turtle-doves in stead o f a lamb. When the sacrifices had been offered Mary left the court of the
Life “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” To do, God’s will from day to day, To follow Christ and not to stray, To have the Spirit’s power alway, This is abundant life! —Henry W. Frost.
temple. It was evidently as she was go ing out that she was met by Simeon. * * * H eart of the L esson I. Simeon and Jesus (25-32). V. 25. A man in Jerusalem . . . Simeon. Attempts have been made to identify this Simeon, but without success. The name was a very common one. All of his known
h i s t o r y is found here. Righteous and devout. T h e first word refers perhaps to his character as seen of' men, the second to h i s in ward life in the sight o f God (cf.
Lk. 1 :6). Looking for the consolation o f Israel. That is, looking for Messiah, as verse 26 shows. This expression comes from such passages as Isa. 40:1; 49:13. Isaiah’s “comfort” is realized in Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit was upon him. The Holy Spirit was given to many in the Old Testament age (cf. Num. ll:25-*29), but according to the Jews He had departed from Israel since the days of Malachi. Simeon anticipated the Christian dispen sation (cf. Lk. 1 :41, 67; Acts 4 :8; Eph. 5:18). V. 26. Revealed unto him. For many years he had been waiting for the coming of the Messiah. In answer to prayer a revelation was given him by the Holy Spirit. He was assured that he would see the Lord’s Christ (Jehovah's anointed) before he died. Tradition has it that Si meon was 113 years old. It is implied (v. 29) that his death occurred soon after he saw Jesus. V. 27. Came in the Spirit. This is the third mention of the Holy Spirit with ref erence to Simeon. The Holy Spirit was upon him (v. 25) ; light concerning the future was given to him by the Holy Spirit (v. 26) ; he was guided by the Spirit. He came into the temple at just the light time. A fter the custom o f the law. The ceremony at the redemption of a first born son included the payment of five shekels as redemption money (cf. vs. 22, 23; Ex. 13:2; Num. 8:16, 18) and the pre sentation of a burnt offering. Mary, be cause o f poverty, was permitted to offer a pair o f turtle-doves (cf. v. 24; Lev. 12:8). V. 28. Received him into his arms. To others Jesus was like any other babe; Simeon by the Spirit recognized Him as the Lord’s Christ. Blessed God. This ex pression means both thanksgiving and praise. V. 29. Now lettest thou thy servant de part. Simeon’s song is called the “Nunc Dimittis,” from the opening words of the Latin translation. His life-long hope hav-
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