Entering Jerusalem
Many times in their lives they had walked up to the gates of this city. The city stood tall on the hill as did the walls that enclosed it, an imposing site to all, especially to those who loved her.
This pilgrimage was different though. It wasn’t just that they were coming from Bethlehem instead of Nazareth, but because they were coming with a new purpose. Their present was filled with thoughts of the past, but most of their musings were drawn to the future. Their future (and the futures of many others) was with them, asleep in his mother’s arms as they journeyed uphill.
They were hardly noticed as they approached the gate. Soldiers stood vigilant. Traders that had come from the north and the south pressed through the gates (along with all of the others who had business in town) bringing their goods in with hopes of making a good living. The scene was commonplace, as were the people. Work went on during this day as every other day and apart from a surprise appearance from a dignitary making an official visit, not much would stop the hum of everyday life. As this weary family entered the hallowed city, no one stopped to notice them. In the eyes of these city dwellers, nothing important had happened.
It was remarkable that such a young child could sleep though the clamoring of city life. Often changing sounds were startling to the young mom. The call of the vendor selling his wares. The discussion of elders judging a dispute. A poor man asking for alms. An over-confident religious man praying his practiced prayers on the corner of the street. His mom held him closer, covering his ears in a desperate attempt to give him (and her) a few more minutes of the sleep they both needed him to have.
They were headed to the temple to fulfill the commands of their God. Enough time had passed since the little boy’s birth and they were ready. This is what their parents had done, and their parents before them, and their parents before them. Each had placed their feet in the same hallowed ground that Mary and Joseph now walked on. The heritage was more than history…is was a heritage that was defined by God’s promises to rescue and redeem his people. A promise that this couple (and many who had lived and died before them) had waited for so long see fulfilled.
Simeon the Seer
As this couple walked through Jerusalem’s streets and alleyways unrecognized, another man was also walking the city unnoticed. Simeon was different. No one could escape the truth that Simeon was no escapist dreaming his life away, but a man who could see how the “real world” could become the “just world” that he looked forward to. A simple man, Simeon had the gift of hearing the echos of Eden in the discord of his Jewish life.
Waiting is hard for any person, even those who know that they have something meaningful to wait on. The God of Israel had spoken through his prophets that an anointed one would come who would bring wholeness to God’s people, but time had passed and the promise that seemed so strong and substantive had diminished in the hearts of God’s chosen people during that time. What once inspired hope to wait had, for many, become mere legend; inspiring stories to tell children before bed, but surely not something that would actually happen. Could Simeon’s hope of a Just Kingdom make any difference at all in a world ruled over by those who used power to dominate and not to serve?
Somewhere in the quiet moments of his waiting life the Holy Spirit spoke to him (to him!) And strengthened his heart with a personal promise: that he himself would get to see the Lord’s Messiah before his life was over. Hope settles a man’s soul to wait patiently for what he knows will happen. He knew he was one day closer to meeting face to face with the One who would change the “real world” and the lives of all who lived in it.
Providence often looks like coincidence, but those with the eyes of faith can see a well thought out plan. As Simeon stood in the temple complex, waiting, he noticed a young couple with a child in their arms making a slow ascent up the steps to the temple. They weren’t the type of people who would turn your head. There really wasn’t anything about them that stood out, except their countenance. Trying not to stare and (maybe) scare them off, he watched them as they went through the ritual cleansing before coming deeper in.
The Introduction
Simeon approached the couple as they finished their customary washing. As he walked toward them the questions that came to anyone’s mind before meeting strangers came to his “How do I approach them?” “What do I have to say to them?” “Am I as crazy as I feel?”
But, a strange confidence seemed to push out his doubts and draw him towards the family. The first thing he noticed was their eyes. They were the eyes of people who have not seen many days, but they have seen a lot in their days. They were also the eyes of parents who hadn’t slept through the night in a long while.
“Peace be to you! May God’s light shine on you and your family.”
The couple was obviously startled, but responded kindly to the aged stranger. “And God’s peace be to you, sir.” said the husband.
“My name is Simeon. You have a beautiful child. What is the child’s name?”
Mary spoke with an unfiltered pride, “His name is Jesus.” She turned her attention back to her cooing child.
“Ah, a baby boy! You must be proud.”
“Yes, weary, but proud.” Joseph responded with a slow smile.
There was a silence between them as Simeon gazed at the boy.
The Recognition
To fill the awkward silence Joseph offered more: “Our family is from the region of Galilee and the town of Nazareth. We look forward to when we can head home.”
“Ah, where are you staying in the meantime?”
“Bethlehem” Joseph quipped. “Bethlehem is the home of my ancestors. We came because of the Emperor’s census like so many others.” And, nodding towards Jesus, he said “Bethlehem is where he was born.”
Simeon stood, quietly, thoughtfully. He stared off into some unseen distance, taking in what he was seeing and hearing.
“Bethlehem, did you say?”
“Yes” said Mary with a nimble chuckle. “It is a lovely place to visit, but visiting for 6 weeks is quite enough time. Our family int he north is waiting to meet the little one.”
Simeon considered these things again and, just as he knew he should come to the temple on this day he suddenly knew why. This sojourning couple carried a mystery. A secret they couldn’t explain…and no one would believe… even if they could stand on the tower walls and tell all of Jerusalem.
Simeon muttered to himself: “Of course, it all makes sense. Of course. Bethlehem. The city of David, The City of the promised king. The Chosen One. This child is the Promised One I have waited so long to see”
Simeon turned to Mary with tears forming in his eyes “May I hold him?’
With a nod and an approving smile, Mary placed her treasure in Simeon’s arms.
Though he was not much of a speaker he could not hold back the words that God had put in his heart so long ago and with all of the fervor of a song he said,
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace according to your word. For my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentile and for glory to your people Israel.”
He held in his hands the One who would save Israel. He held in his hands a child that would bless the nations of the world. But, how could this be? Mystery of all mysteries. God’s salvation is so…vulnerable! The fullness of God in the hands of a mere man!
The little one grew uncomfortable with unfamiliar hands and he began to whimper and cry the weak cry of a new born. Simeon shook with joy as he placed the baby back in the arms of his marveling mother.
Mary’s Marveling
Mary gazed at her boy, amazed at what she just heard from this stranger. First the angels, now, here in the temple, another messenger. She loved her son as any mother would, but she also revered him…placed her hope in all that he represented to her and her people. God’s mysteries are surely wonderful. How can a person not marvel at all of this?!
As a stunned Joseph and Mary looked at Simeon, they noticed a hint of a somberness that had not yet been there. Simeon was not a religious leader or a Rabbi of Israel’s people, but in that moment the Spirit of God had chosen him to share words that would ever define the life of the child. In a region ruled by a foreign power, in a city revered for its concentration of religious power, a short distance from the symbol of God’s power, Simeon spoke his final words to the family:
“Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will piece through your own soul also) so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
And with a knowing and somber smile, he left them in peace.
Joy and Solemnity
Mary and Joseph looked at the child again. The man’s words had changed them. Their hope wasn’t diminished, but it was transformed. They knew their God’s thoughts were higher than their own, but it was hard for them to comprehend just how much higher.
Jesus was more than they knew. Simeon’s cryptic words were somehow true and, at the same time, distant. What could they mean?
The young family turned to walk back toward Bethlehem, not knowing what was ahead of each of them, but (somehow) knowing they could trust the One who started them on this journey because he would be with them though it. After all, this baby was proof that God was with them.
What could they have known?
Could they have known that in a relatively short time Simeon’s words would come to be real?
They couldn’t have known that soon their Jesus would stir up the jealousy of a king who, in his wrath, steal the lives of innocent children just to keep his power. Herod’s heart would stone be revealed.
They couldn’t have known how those who were known to be “lost souls” (and knew it themselves) would want to come to sit around a table with Jesus and taste the grace he spoke authentically about. Their real heart would be revealed.
They could not have understood that those who were too willing to pray on street corners in order to boast of their own goodness would one day try to rid themselves of the threat Jesus was to their identity. The thoughts of their hearts would be revealed.
Though they may have understood that Jesus was their King, their Messiah, They could not have understood that Jesus’ kingdom would not be defined by war horses and sharpened swords, but though a message of hope and a life laid down for his enemies…in order to reveal people’s hearts.
They would come to see that their Child’s presence alone would reveal the hearts of all of those who were present with him. In his light nothing is hidden. In his love, nothing is left ruined.
Jesus kingdom is not of this world…he exposes it…and transforms it.
They could not fully understand their child, but they would.
Hearts Revealed
Years later, among a raucous crowd outside of this very same city in view of the very same temple, everything that Simeon had said to Mary would come true in front of her eyes. Again she was weary. Again, she felt wonder. But this time it was the weariness and wonder that comes through pain.
The son she carried, nursed through illness, helped take his first steps, watched grow in wisdom and stature over all her years with him would be lifted up above her, crucified underneath a mocking sign that stated “This is Jesus, King of the Jews.” Her soul had been pierced along with her son. On that cross, Jesus’ heart had been fully revealed.
John 3:16-17 says: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (ESV)
Jesus’ kingdom would not be located on ornate thrones, but it would be a kingdom located in the hearts of those who trust him.
Christmas may be about many things…but ultimately it is about God humbling himself and living among us, revealing his heart to us. Living among those who had no place for him in their own lives. Living among those who despised him. Living among those who needed him.
The heart of Christmas is about the thoughts of Jesus’ heart, revealed.