The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 1 — Section 70

lf be bad undertaken any service about the temple as the Levites and priests dicl. In a word, the Messiah could not well have come, like the Baptist, from the tribe of Levi, but it was better be should belong to one which was not bound to the altar. And her~ we n~ust n_otice as_ a practical ~int tb~t the _claim made on the firstborn by the Lord as bemg his peculiar possession, 1s a claim which we should all recognize 118 just. We are not our own, but bought with a price, and 110 bound to glorify God with our bodies ~1 _C~r. vi. 1_9, 20). This Jesus alone realized in fulness, but we ought to try to realize it m mcreasmg measure. III. THE_ TESTIMONY o_F SIMEON. (V~~-2~--35.) 'Yb,ile JeSllBWBB being presented, an aged believer called Simeon comes, Spmt-1mpelled, 1.nto the temple. His character is clearly s~etched for us. He was ,(1) just an~ devout ; (2) ~aiting hopefully for the advent of him who was to be Israels Consolation; (3) the subject of special revelation about seeing Messiah before death. And now he comes into the temple to recognize intuitively the Messiah in Mary's little Child. The result is his appropriation of the Child for an instant, that he might fondle him in his breast. 'l'hen does he pour forth bis swan-song, the" Nunc Dimittis," which has been such a pathetic word in the experience of the Church. This prayer of Simeon suggests such thoughts as these: 1. A pe=fu? departure is ,w~ only possi~le, ~ut most desirable. Manifestly Simeon could iso to blS last sleep as quietly as to his nightly rest. We may commit not only the folded hours of the night to God, but also the folded hours of eternity. 2. Tlte prel,iminary of IJ'IJ,Ch a departure is the sight of the Saviour. The Child Jesus was the Divine Saviour provided for the aged Simeon, aud in his tender care we may also rest. 3. The peculiar joy of salvation ill that it is intended for all people, Gentile as well aa Jew. After all the talk &bout selfishness, there is no system which embraces all the world as Christianity does.1 But after thus speaking gratefully to God, Simeon speaks sympathetically to the wondering Joseph aud Mary. He gives them an old man's benediction. 'l'hey had a mighty charge and needed great grace to fulfil it. And then he speaks special words of warning as well as of encouragement to Mary about the Child. And here we notice: (1) That the fate of multitudes often hangs on the destiny o/ an individual. So was it with the Child Jesus. (2) His fate will be one of determined opposition even unto de1Lth. (3) It will involve Mary in desperate distress; but (4) by the tragedy many hearts shall be revealed. The crucifix.ion of Jesus is the touchstone by which our spiritual condition may be best determined. According as we are attached to or repelled by a crucified Saviour mu~t be our spiritual or carnal sta.te. 1 IV. THE TESTIMONY OF .A1."NA. (Vers. 36-38.) Anna was another inspired person waiting for the advent of Messiah. .AI.i. aged widow, she seems never to have left the U!mple, and to have risen as near the ideal of ceaseless service as one in this life could. She also gan thanks to God as with eager eye she gazed upon her Redeemer in the Person of the holy Child. And to all who, like herself, were looking for redemption, she spoke of Jesus as the Redeemer promised and now given. There is not the same melancholy tone about A= as about Simeon. She speaks about redemption, and will wait for it, while Simeon seems inclined to reach it as speedily as possible by death (cf. Godet, in loc.). V. THE EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF JESUS. (Vers. 39, 40.) Its sphere was Nazareth; not the place human wisdom would have selected. for a holy development. .A. sinless life there was the greatest of all miracles. .And here we are told of: 1. His develop-• ment in physical strength. "The Child grew." If the Saviour had never been a child, but always full-grown like our first parent, he would not have commanded so much sympathy in the world. Little children take delight in the thought of him who was once like them a little child. 2. His development in spirit and in wisdom. The reference seems to be to energy of will and to intuitive insight, and the reflective form of the verbs seems to attribute the progress to his own effort. That is to say, his will grew in foroe while his soul grew in insight. Af3 a Boy he lacked no decision of charac- ter, and his insight was remarkable for one of his years.• 3. He became, consequently, tli.€ Object of Divine grace. TLis favour of the Father was his by right. He won his 1 Cf. Sanrin's • Sermons,' tome v. p. 42. • Of. Tholnck's • Light from the Croll@-' pp. 9, 84; also his' Werke,' •· ss. 223, 272. • Cf. Godet'e • :Etudes Bibliques,' de1Uieme aerie, pp. 102-104; alao Robertaon'e • Ber- moD.S,' li8CODd Beries, no. :a.Y. on. n. 1-52.) THE GOSPEL ACCOitDJNG TO ST. LUKE. 61