1. Simeon is waiting The Old Testament saints who knew the Lord lived their lives looking forward to the Lord and His salvation. Forgiveness was foreshadowed and offered by God to OT saints in the institution of the sacrifices. Those who engaged in those actions by faith found forgiveness. Yet there would be no forgiveness without the shedding of Messiah's blood. Simeon was waiting for God to send that Messiah.
2. Simeon is warning. Behold this child is set for the fall and rising of many. Simeon understood this child would do great things but face suffering. Not many women give birth to a child with the expectation that the sword will pierce your soul. He will be spoken against and mistreated as he accomplishes the work of redemption.
3. Simeon is worshipping
We see that he worships
3a. as a promised is fulfilled Simeon saw a promised fulfilled individually. Simeon was given a promise uniquely to see the Christ before he died. Your sight of death will only be sweetened by a sight of Christ He saw promises fulfilled universally. Mankind had been waiting since the garden for the one who would bruise the serpent's head. Was Cain the one? No. Could Seth be the one? And so and so on. One after another, they are not the one. Finally the one came.
3b. as a person is recognized Simeon recognized the person of the babe: mine eyes have seen thy salvation. He knew the babe he held was God's prepared Savior.
3c. as a purpose is explained His purpose is to save Jew (the consolation of Israel) and Gentile (a light to lighten the Gentiles). Salvation is not in our performance but in the person of Christ.
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