The Song of Simeon: What Do You Think of Jesus
INTRODUCTION
I love to sing! That doesn’t imply that I am a good singer – just love to belt out a tune or two. My sons make fun of me because almost every time they come to me with a complaint, I begin to sing a song. Or, when they make some statement, I will begin singing a song containing those words. My boys are like, “Is there a song you don’t know?” I love to sing!
Luke must have liked singing as well. Not that we have a record of him singing personally, but that he records five songs in the first two chapters of his book. We hear songs from angels, and Mary. We also hear Elizabeth and Zacharias sing songs of thanksgiving and praise to God for Jesus.
With that said, let’s look at the last song recorded by Luke in his gospel. This song is found in the middle of a very important event in the life of Jesus and His family. It is found in Luke 2.
THE EIGHTH DAY
On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived (Luke 2:21-24).
Jewish tradition called for newborn babies to be presented at the Temple eight days after their birth. This was an important ceremony because two things happened: (1) boys would be circumcised; and (2) the child would be named. Israel, like many other cultures of the world, believe names are important. Some African people groups firmly believe a child’s name set’s his or her destiny. Therefore, they are given a name the parents believe the child will live up to. Hebrew culture is no different and we see examples of this throughout Scripture (e.g. Jacob/Israel).
Circumcision, for the Jews, was a symbol of God’s covenant. It also represents their separation from being identified as a Gentile. In essence this ceremony marked the child as a Jew by both name and symbol.
It seems Luke kind of compresses time for us in this passage. He tells us not only what happens on the eighth day but also what happens 30 days after the birth of a firstborn son.
When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons” (Luke 2L22-24).
The naming and circumcision was probably done locally. However, The Law required that the redemption of the firstborn be done in Jerusalem. Mary and Joseph travelled to Jerusalem to “present [Jesus] to the Lord” and make the necessary offering.
By giving a pair of doves and pigeons, Mary and Joseph “bought back the firstborn” from God. In essence, they were saying, “This child belongs to God, who alone has power to give life.” But they are also saying, “We will care for this child because He is a gift from God.” This is important when considering in the future Mary and Joseph accidentally leave Jesus in Jerusalem when He is about 12 years old. They promise God to care for the gift, then lose Him! Well, they do find Him, and it seems Jesus took full advantage of His time away from mom and dad.
While they are at the Temple doing this redemption of the firstborn ceremony, a priest named Simeon comes into the story. Luke takes time to describe this man so he must be important to the story:
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah (Luke 2:25-26).
Simeon was a man in tune with God. He was righteous and devout. He was also a man holding on to a promise – before he dies God promised he would see the Messiah. Tradition holds that Simeon is 113 years old at this time but we really don’t know his age.
What we do know is Simeon is a worshipper who is holding on to the promise of God. He spends his days doing the work of God and being led of the Holy Spirit. And on this day Simeon is led by the Holy Spirit to enter into the place where Mary and Joseph were presenting Jesus to the Lord.
Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required (Luke 2:27).
A SONG
When Simeon, moved by the Spirit, sees Jesus – look at what happens:
Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying (Luke 2:28-32).
The Holy Spirit miraculously confirmed to Simeon that the Messiah he had been waiting to see was right in front of Him. And, when he took Jesus in his arms – when he came face-to-face with God’s glory wrapped in the flesh his only response was worship. Listen to Simeon’s song…
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32).
This is a powerful hymn of praise sung by a man who has seen the glory of God in the face of Jesus. Like the shepherds who had seen Jesus, Simeon praises and glorifies God. Listen to how Luke records the reaction of Mary and Joseph to this song:
The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him (Luke 2:33).
One might think that after angels, shepherds, and according to Matthew, wise men had come to visit this child that Mary and Joseph would be getting used to the spontaneous praise that erupts around their son. But they seem to be honestly thankful for God’s confirmation.
But when Simeon stops singing – he blesses Mary, Joseph and Jesus. Then, moved by the Holy Spirit, Simeon turns to Mary and begins to prophecy to her about things about this Jesus he now holds in his arms and how it will affect her and the world.
Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 3:34-35).
Simeon uses three images of Jesus in this verse: a stone, a sign, and a sword[1] to describe the life and ministry of Jesus.
A STONE
Luke does not expressly use the word “stone” in this passage but uses language that points to it when he says Jesus would cause the “falling and rising of many.”
Simeon is telling Mary that many people will stumble and fall because of Jesus. On the other hand, many will rise from their falling and come to salvation.
In Luke 27:17 & Acts 4:11 Jesus is called the stone the builders rejected
But Luke also calls Jesus the one who has become the cornerstone
Jesus, the cornerstone, is the line of demarcation for everything. In other words, Jesus is the line in the sand that forces people to make one of two choices: (1) forsake sin and place their faith in Christ as the cornerstone of one’s life; or (2) reject the stone and be crushed by it. That’s just the long and short of it – take it up with Luke if you have an issue.
Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed” (Luke 20:18).
Luke is telling us that if we cast our lives on Christ, we will have our lives shattered. But not in the sense of hopelessness – but in the real sense that we are trading one cornerstone for another.
Think about this, the cornerstone sets the direction of the whole building.
It is the benchmark from which we take our compass readings.
Jesus wants to be our cornerstone and direct our lives.
If we, as sinners, will throw ourselves on the mercy of the stone (Jesus) He will shatter our selfish desires to be our own savior and set a new course – a new direction – for our lives.
The opposite of this is also true. If we reject the stone – if we continue to follow our own path and our ways – the stone will FALL ON US! The very same Jesus who came to being peace and to show love will one day judge all those who reject Him as Savior. When this crushing happens there will be no hope of Heaven.
Simeon goes on to say that Jesus will be a sign spoken against…
A SIGN
The word “sign” used here refers to the idea of “miracle, not so much as a demonstration of power but as revelation of divine truth.”[2] Let me explain, Jesus would grow up and perform numerous miracles. Every one of those miracles are powerful: the blind see, the lame walk, the dead are raised to life – that’s powerful stuff!
Those miracles are not just about power (like we Pentecostals like to think). Every miracle was a sign to those who witnessed revealed Jesus as prophet, priest, and king. Like the names of God found in the Old Testament revealed more and more of the character of God, the miracles of Jesus reveal more of His character.
When Jesus healed the blind – He revealed His authority over sickness
When Jesus cast the demons out of the man living in the cemetery – He revealed His authority over the Devil.
When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead – He revealed His authority over death
Is it any wonder the religious of the day spoke so vehemently against His miracles? The more miracles Jesus did, the more the Pharisee’s and Sadducee’s wanted to kill Him. Why? Because the miracles revealed that one simple truth: God is dwelling among us! They questioned everything about His life because His life called their lives into question. Their sense of being perfect could not handle that kind of revelation. Warren Wiersbe writes,
“The way people speak about Jesus is evidence of what is in their hearts. He is no on the “salvation stone” and the “judgement stone,” but He is also the “touchstone” that exposes what people are really like.”[3]
Simeon goes on to say that Jesus would be “a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
A SWORD
This is where Simeon gets real personal with Mary. As the stone, Jesus will be rejected by many. As a sign, Jesus would be spoken against – ridiculed – hated. Mary would be witness to all of these things. She would have to watch her son, the Son of God, be despised, rejected, hated, and crucified like a common thief. Mary’s heart will break!
Luke’s choice of the word “sword” is very interesting. The word refers to a “large” sword (like the one used by the giant Goliath). The word also suggests this sword will continually be the cause of continual piercing.[4]
God’s choice of Mary as the mother of Jesus came with more than a small amount of motherly suffering. Even though she knew the miraculous nature of His birth, she would still have to watch as her son is betrayed and lied about – IT PIERCES HER HEART.
WHO IS JESUS TOO YOU?
Matthew tells us about a moment in the ministry of Jesus when He is talking to Pharisee’s who are religious folks speaking out against Him. Jesus looks at them and asks the question that I think we must all ask and answer: what do we think of Christ?
You may think He was a prophet or good moral teacher. You would be right. You may also think He was an historical figure who existed in time. You would be correct. But the real question is this, “Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God?” This question is of vital importance, and I urge you to consider it carefully. My prayer is that you will fall on the stone so that the stone will not fall on you.
[1] Weirsbe, W. (1988). Be compassionate: Let the world know that Jesus cares. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 7.
[2] Ibid, 38.
[3] Ibid, 38.
[4] Ibid, 38.