Righteous Simeon was waiting for the Messiah. Of course, he was not the only one. In those days in Judea, if not everyone, then very many were waiting for the Messiah. But they waited in different ways. Simeon waited with his whole heart. Waiting for the Messiah became the sole meaning of his life...
Righteous Simeon was waiting for the Messiah. Of course, he was not the only one. In those days in Judea, if not everyone, then very many were waiting for the Messiah. But they waited in different ways. Simeon waited with his whole heart. Waiting for the Messiah became the sole meaning of his life. Of course, death, departure into Sheol, did not change anything radically for a righteous person. In the end, when the Messiah comes and the day of universal resurrection and Judgment arrives, all will come out of Sheol. They will return to the fullness of life - at least until the Judgment.
Because before God a person must appear precisely in fullness - in that greatest fullness which was opened to the person and which he managed to contain. So that it becomes clear what the person can do. This is not a competition, but precisely an evaluation: can the Kingdom be entrusted to this person? And if it can, then in what measure? But it is one thing to pass through death and Sheol, and quite another to meet the Messiah while still alive.
Many dreamed of such a meeting, dreamed of it in every age. And Simeon lived by this hope. And God promised him that he would see the Messiah. With his own eyes. During his life. Without descending into Sheol. And now what God had promised came to pass. Before Simeon was the Messiah. Waiting ended in meeting. For Simeon this was the Meeting with a capital M: after all, he understood Whom he was seeing. And now he could depart in peace. Leave this world. And not only because God's promise had been fulfilled, but also because with the Messiah the Kingdom had entered the world.
It had not yet been revealed, but it was already here, in our fallen world. And that means death now ceased to be simply a departure into Sheol, as it had been before. It is not by chance that the corresponding Greek word means not only "release" but also "set free." The point is not only that Simeon was bound by waiting for the coming of the Messiah. The point is that before the Messiah's coming, the only alternative to earthly life for him was Sheol. Now another alternative appeared: the Kingdom. Simeon was free. As were hundreds of righteous people who had completed their earthly path before him and had also waited for the Messiah or at least had foreseen the Kingdom. "With my own eyes I have seen Your salvation." And now I am free. Ahead are the Messiah and the Kingdom.
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2:21 To circumcise the child - That he might visibly be made under the law by a sacred rite, which obliged him to keep the whole law; as also that he might be owned to be the seed of Abraham, and might put an honour on the solemn dedication of children to God.
2:22 The days - The forty days prescribed, Lev 12:2, Lev 12:4.
2:23 Exo 13:2.
2:24 A pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons - This offering sufficed for the poor. Lev 12:8.
2:25 The consolation of Israel - A common phrase for the Messiah, who was to be the everlasting consolation of the Israel of God.The Holy Ghost was upon him - That is, he was a prophet.
2:27 By the Spirit - By a particular revelation or impulse from him.
2:30 Thy salvation - Thy Christ, thy Saviour.
2:32 And the glory of thy people Israel - For after the Gentiles are enlightened, all Israel shall be saved.
2:33 Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken - For they did not thoroughly understand them.
2:34 Simeon blessed them - Joseph and Mary. This child is set for the fall and rising again of many - That is, he will be a savour of death to some, to unbelievers: a savour of life to others, to believers: and for a sign which shall be spoken against - A sign from God, yet rejected of men: but the time for declaring this at large was not yet come: that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed - The event will be, that by means of that contradiction, the inmost thoughts of many, whether good or bad, will be made manifest.
2:35 A sword shall pierce through thy own soul - So it did, when he suffered: particularly at his crucifixion.
2:37 Fourscore and four years - These were the years of her life, not her widowhood only. Who departed not from the temple - Who attended there at all the stated hours of prayer. But served God with fastings and prayers - Even at that age. Night and day - That is, spending therein a considerable part of the night, aswell as of the day.
2:38 To all that were waiting for redemption - The sceptre flow appeared to he departing from Judah, though it was not actually gone: Daniel's weeks were plainly near their period. And the revival of the spirit of prophecy, together with the memorable occurrences relating to the birth of John the Baptist, and of Jesus, could not but encourage and quicken the expectation of pious persons at this time. Let the example of these aged saints animate those, whose hoaryheads, like theirs, are a crown of glory, being found in the way of righteousness. Let those venerable lips, so soon to be silent in the grave, be now employed in the praises of their Redeemer.Let them labour to leave those behind, to whom Christ will be as precious as he has been to them; and who will be waiting for God's salvation, when they are gone to enjoy it.