Born in a Manger
Christ was born in a stable, a
place where animals were kept. The stable was probably a cave and the manger a
feeding trough for animals. The birth of the Savior, the greatest event in all
history, occurred in the most humble of circumstances. Jesus was the King of
kings, but he was neither born nor did he live like a king in this life. God’s
people are kings and priests, but in this life we must be as he was humble and
simple.
A Savior… Christ the Lord
At his birth Jesus is called “a Savior” and it has several
implications, (1). As Savior, he has
come to deliver us from sin, Satan’s domain, the ungodly world, fear, death and
the condemnation of our transgressions (cf. Mt.1:21). (2). The Savior is also “Christ the Lord” who has been anointed as
the Messiah of God and the Lord who rules over his people (cf. Mt.1:1). No
person can have Jesus as Savior while not submitting to his Lordship.
They Present Jesus To the
Lord
As Joseph and Mary presented Jesus to the Lord, so all parents should
sincerely consecrate their children to the Lord. They should pray constantly
that from the beginning to the end of each child’s life, he or she will be
found doing the Lord’s will, serving and glorifying God with complete devotion.
The offering of a pair of doves indicates that Joseph and Mary were
from common people, probably poor (Lev.12:8). From Jesus’ birth onward he
identified with the poor and underprivileged (9:58, Mt.8:20, Rev.2:9).
Simeon Was Righteous and Devout
The word (s) “righteous” or
“upright” (cf.1:6) translates the
Greek word dikaios (Heb. yasher), meaning “straight”. In the OT this word did not
mean mere conformity to the commandments, but indicated a person was right with
God both in heart and in action (cf. Ps.32:2). (1). The righteousness that God sought in the OT was one that came
from the heart, based on true faith in, love for and fear of God (Deut.4:10, 29,
5:29). This condition of the heart was seen in the parents of John the Baptist,
who observed “all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly” (1:6,
cf. Gen.7:1, 17:1, 1King.9:4 here the term includes ‘integrity of heart’). Simeon manifested the same characteristic in
his life. (2). OT righteous persons were not perfect. When sin entered their
lives they obtained forgiveness by presenting an animal sacrifice to God in an
attitude of sincere repentance and faith (Lev.4:27-35).
Simeon Was Waiting For the
Consolation
In a time of lukewarm spiritual conditions, righteous Simeon was
devoted to God and filled with the Holy Spirit, waiting in faith, patience and
great longing for the coming of the Messiah. Likewise, at the end times when
there is widespread lukewarm-ness and many depart from the NT apostolic faith
and the blessed hope for the coming of Christ (Tit.2:13), there will always be
the faithful Simeons.
Others may place their hope in this life and this world, but the
faithful will be like the loyal slave who keeps watch through the long, dark
night, waiting for the return of his master (Mt.24:45-47). Our greatest
blessing is to see face to face “Christ the Lord” (v.26, cf. Rev.22:4), to be
ready when he comes and to live forever in his presence (Rev.21-22).
In 2:25, the Bible says, “Holy
Spirit was upon him (Simeon)” and this is one of the most challenging
and inspiring verses for us in this chapter. Because, at the dawning of the
Messianic era, there was a new activity of angels (1:11,19,26), an increased
presence and prophetic activity of the Holy Spirit (vv.26-27,36,
cf.1:15-16,35,41,67,76, 3:21-22, 4:1,14,18), and the atmosphere of Judea,
Galilee and surrounding territory was charged with spiritual awakening (3:1-20,
4:14-15, 36-37).
A Prophetess Anna Worshipped
Night and Day
Anna was a prophetess who earnestly hoped for the coming of Christ. She
remained a widow for many years, never remarrying, but devoting herself to the
Lord with “fasting and praying” night and day, she never left the Temple! (cf. v.37).
The Bible teaches us that the unmarried states can be a greater
blessing than the married. Paul states that the unmarried have great
opportunity to be concerned about the things of the Lord, how to please him and
give him undistracted devotion (cf. 1 Cor.7:32-35).
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