Harmony of the Gospels

13. Simeon proclaims the Christ- Luke 2:25-35

 

-Simeon was righteous and devout (literally God-fearing). He was looking for (welcoming) the consolation (encouragement, exhortation) of Israel and the Holy Spirit was upon him (Luke 2:25). He had received revelation that he would see the Lord’s Christ before he passed from the world by death (Luke 2:26). When he sees the Lord, he blesses God and prophecies the salvation of the Christ and His light of revelation unto the Gentiles, which is the glory of His people Israel (Luke 2:30-32). He further prophesied that Jesus would be the rise and fall of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed. He predicted that His parents would be pierced to the soul by the events of the Messiah, and it would be to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed (Luke 2:35).

-*Application* Simeon is a great example of a man who walked closely with the LORD and had the Holy Spirit at work prominently in his life. He was a man living in the old covenant dispensation; therefore, the Holy Spirit was upon him rather than in him as we will later see in believers when the new covenant is initiated by the blood of Christ and the coming of Pentecost (Jeremiah 31:31-33, Luke 22:20, 1 Corinthians 11:25, Acts 2:1-4). His life shows the closeness to God and the reception to His voice that we can have when we are yielded and observant.

 

-Verse to Memorize- Luke 2:25

 

14. Anna the prophetess’ joy- Luke 2:36-38

 

-Another devoted (God-fearing) woman in the Temple area was Anna the prophetess. She was a long-time widow who served the Lord night and day with fastings and prayers (Luke 2:37). She came up to the Christ Child when Simeon was talking and began to bless the Lord with thanksgiving and she was making Him known to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:38).

-*Application* Here we see the prominent role that a woman could have in Temple service. She was a prophetess, which meant that she could proclaim the message of God to all people. Some would erroneously say that women should not be allowed to make proclamation in the church of today based on some of the things that Paul instructed in 1 Corinthians 14:34. This was a correcting letter to a dysfunctional church though if we look at the context and very well could have been a somewhat isolated case. This is not to confuse the proclamation with authority in God’s church (1 Timothy 1:12). This can be a controversial topic in church polity today, but we can clearly see from this passage, as well as other portions of Scripture, that women played an important role in propagating the message of Christ to the world (Acts 16:40, Colossians 4:15). So all you women and men let your voice be heard for reaching the world with the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!

 

-Verse to Memorize- Luke 2:37