22 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 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord” ), 24 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.” 25 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. 27 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, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” 33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 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 2:22-35)
Here we see that Mary and Joseph went to the temple in Jerusalem to present the baby Jesus to the Lord, in accordance with the Old Testament law. In Jerusalem there lived a man named Simeon. He was righteous and devout, and he longed for the coming of Israel’s Comforter, Israel’s Comforter mentioned here is the Lord Jesus. He received a revelation from the Holy Spirit, knowing that before he died he would see the Christ appointed by the Lord. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he entered the temple and happened to meet Jesus’ parents carrying their child in to do for him what the custom of the Law required. This encounter was no accident; it was guided and arranged by the Holy Spirit. Upon seeing the infant Lord Jesus, Simeon praised God and said, “For my eyes have seen your salvation.” The Lord Jesus is God’s salvation. His coming would bring salvation to the world, saving the people from their sins. Just as Simeon had said, the Lord Jesus is the light of the Gentiles, the light of the world. Simeon then said to Mary, “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.” This was Simeon’s prophecy, and we can see these were what happened later in the Bible. The Pharisees and many Jews fell because of their unbelief in the Lord Jesus, but the Lord Jesus raised up many disciples who believed in Him. He was slandered, persecuted, and finally crucified, His mother Mary was very sad, just as Simeon had predicted, sword would pierce Mary’s soul too.
As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.” (Romans 9:33)
This verse in the book of Romans says that many Jews fell because of their unbelief in the Lord Jesus, but those who believe in Him will never be put to shame; they will receive God’s salvation.
May God bless you and your family!
