Simeon’s Meeting with the Christ

Introduction:  Finding the right balance concerning the birth of the Lord Jesus is difficult.  Some overly emphasize His birth and forget that He is no longer a baby.  Some rush right past His birth to point to His atoning death and His glorious resurrection.  All of these truths point to parts of the grace of God openly manifested to the world in the person of His Son.  May God grant us the ability to consider the full spectrum of truth concerning our Saviour and the heart to praise Him for it.

1. THE SETTING SURROUNDING THE MEETING (Luke 2:1-24)
1. The Birth of Christ (Luke 2:1-16)
1. Born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7)
2. The revelation to the shepherds (Luke 2:8-14)
3. The visit from the shepherds (Luke 2:15-16)
2. The Lord Jesus Circumcision (Luke 2:21)
3. Marys Days of Purification (Luke 2:22)
1. 7 days she would be unclean (Leviticus 12:2)
2. The eighth day is the day of circumcision.
3. 33 days after the circumcision (Leviticus 12:4)
4. The Lord Jesus was brought to Jerusalem (Luke 2:22)
4. The Sacrifice for the Lord Jesus (Luke 2:22-24)
1. According to the law of Moses concerning her uncleanness (Leviticus 12:6).
2. Mary offered the sacrifice of the poor (Leviticus 12:8)
3. This occurred before the visit of the wise men, therefore they had no gold to purchase a lamb.
2. THE LIFE OF SIMEON (Luke 2:25)
1. His Walk
1. He was just.
2. He was devout.
2. His Wait For the consolation of Israel
3. His Fellowship the Holy Ghost was upon him
3. THE LEADING OF SIMEON (Luke 2:26-27)
1. Past Leadings (Luke 2:26)
1. Revealed by the Holy Ghost
2. He would not see death until he saw the Christ
2. Present Leadings (Luke 2:27)
1. He came by the Spirit into the temple.
2. He came in at the right time.
4. THE WORSHIP OF SIMEON (Luke 2:28-32)
1. The Expectation of Simeon (Luke 2:28-29)
1. He took Him up in his arms (Luke 2:28).
2. He blessed God (Luke 2:28).
3. He was satisfied now to die (Luke 2:29).
2. The Proclamation of Simeon (Luke 2:30-32)
1. The sight of salvation (Luke 2:30-31)
2. The need for all (Luke 2:32)
1. A light for the Gentiles
2. The glory of thy people Israel
5. THE ASTONISHMENT OF JOSEPH AND MARY (Luke 2:33)
1. Possibly Wondering at the News of Christ (See Luke 2:18-19)
2. Possibly Wondering at the Knowledge of Simeon
6. THE PROPHECY OF SIMEON (Luke 2:34-35)
1. Concerning Israel (Luke 2:34)
1. For the fall
2. For the rising again
2. Concerning Christs Rejection (Luke 2:34-35)
1. A sign spoken against (Luke 2:34)
2. A sword through Mary (Luke 2:35)
3. Concerning a Coming Judgment (Luke 2:35)

Conclusion:  Are you rejoicing in the truth that Jesus Christ took on a body of flesh when He was born into this world?  Are you truly as thankful as Simeon was on that day that He held the Christ Child?  Are you as anxious for our Lord’s soon return as Simeon was for the Lord’s first coming?