21st March 2025

For 400 years the prophets had been silent. Since Malachi there had been no word from God, through an appointed prophet, recorded in scripture. God had promised that there would be a faithful remnant, who would speak with each other, comfort each other, and whose prayers he would hear. And in the beginning of Luke’s gospel we find such a man described as, ‘…just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.’ (Luke 2:25). This was Simeon, and the words he spoke to Mary and Joseph, when they presented Jesus at the temple, were a prophecy that filled that 400-year space. Malachi’s prophecy had promised that consolation when he said, “…And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight…” (Malachi 3:1).

Simeon may not have expected the “Messenger of the covenant”, the Lord, to “come to His temple” as a tiny baby, but the Holy Spirit showed him just what was happening. He had seen God’s promised salvation in this little baby. Mary and Joseph were fulfilling the requirements of the Mosaic law they had been born into, which states in Exodus 13:2, “Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine.” Even in this Old Testament directive, Christ is foreshadowed.

These parents, chosen by God to bear and care for his Son during his childhood years, knew they had no ordinary child. Joseph knew he had no part in his conception. The whole story was a confusing whirlwind of angels, of dreams, of danger. The shepherds were a very recent memory – along with their accounts of that night in the fields. Even so, they may have been surprised that this was recognised by an unknown man in the temple forecourt, as well as by the ancient prophetess Anna.

Simeon predicted that Jesus would provide a ‘light’ – and this light encompasses the Gentiles – something fulfilled in the New Testament church, when the ‘Apostles and brethren’ declared, having had Peter relate the story of the baptism of Cornelius and his household, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.” (Acts 11:18). Simeon goes on to speak a sobering prophecy to Mary when he says, “…And a sword will pierce your heart.” 

(Luke 2:35 GW). She perhaps recalled these words when she suffered as her Son suffered, at the hands of Pilate and the chief priests. The way ahead was not going to be easy; there would be pain and sadness. Simeon predicted that this baby would grow to be someone who stripped the veneer from people to reveal the person they truly are.

This prophecy continues to be fulfilled today as we wait in faith – as Simeon waited – for the return of the “consolation of Israel”, the “Messenger of the covenant”.

Local congregation:
GCI Market Harborough
9 The Point
Rockingham Road
Market Harborough 
LE16 7QU

Meeting time:
Sunday 4.00 pm

Local congregational contact:
Sinead Henderson 
Email: sinead.henderson@gracecom.church

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church