Mary and Joseph marveled at Simon’s words about baby Jesus in the Temple. This was the second time that Mary and Joseph were surprised by the insight God gave others about their son. The night Jesus was born, an angel announced his birth to Shepherds, followed by other angels praising God. Based on what the angel told them, the shepherds hurried to Bethlehem to see the baby. Luke 2:17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. [1]
Before Jesus was born, an angel in a dream told Joseph to name the child Jesus because He would save His people from their sins. As Simeon spoke to Mary and Joseph, he affirmed what they already knew about Jesus and provided additional insight from God. God can talk to us in different ways and chose to communicate to Mary and Joseph about Jesus in three ways. God had spoken to Mary through an angelic visit, an angel appearing in a dream to Joseph, and through people.
Jesus is Our Salvation
As Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus in the Temple to offer a sacrifice of a pair of turtle doves, they met a righteous and devout man, Simeon. The Holy Spirit had guided Simeon to the Temple and revealed that he would not die before seeing the Lord’s Messiah. He took the baby Jesus in his arms and began to speak prophetic words over him.
Luke 2:30 I have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared for all people. [2] Thirty years later, John the Baptist remarked that Jesus was the lamb of God who would take away the world’s sins. (Ref. John 1:29.) When Jesus died for our sins, He made a way for our sins to be forgiven, and would be God’s instrument for salvation for all who believe in Him.
Jesus is the Light
Simeon continued to prophesy over the baby Jesus. Luke 2:32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people, Israel! [3] Jesus would later call himself the light of the world. John 8:12I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life. [4]
Jesus’ light dispels spiritual darkness that seeks to blind people. The light of His Word is so powerful it leads people out of the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Light. As we follow the light of Jesus, He leads us to faith so we can have eternal life. Jesus is God with us whose light continually breaks into a dark world. These prophesies surprised Mary and Joseph. Luke 2:33 Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. [5] We live 2000 years later, yet Jesus coming into our world as our Savior still amazes me! To learn how Mary and Joseph marveled, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/more-prophecy-of-jesus
[1-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.