Discussion Questions
Context • In 167 BC, the Judas "the hammer" Maccabee and his brothers revolted against their Greek overlords who were sacrificing to Zeus in the Temple and in synagogues throughout the region. Judas violently restored Jewish autonomy, the first time since the exile of Judah, the southern kingdom that fell in 589 under the military might of Babylon's Nebuchadnezzar II. When the Maccabees restored the kingdom and later set in place the short-lived Hasmonean dynasty, some would see it as a fulfillment of messianic promises. It seemed so at first, especially because the lights in the Temple were rekindled and rightful sacrifices to God restored (similar to Josiah finding the Law in 2 Kings 22). This is where we get the celebration of Hanukkah.
However, by 63, the Judean region became part of the widening Roman reach as Pompey stomped through it, even entering the Holy of Holies and claiming it for Rome. Pompey was the political enemy of Julius Caesar, whom Shakespeare made famous. In 48, Pompey was executed, and by 44, Julius was killed by Brutus.
All this leads us to Luke 2: "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree...". Augustus was the adopted son of Julius and named in his will as heir to the throne. In 44, Rome begins to calm down, so much so that historians call this period the Pax Romana. In Judea, Roman peace was procured by Herod, Augustus's client king. Herod knew his power lasted only as long as his ability to keep the region under control and a profit center for Rome. In this respect, Herod was extremely successful. His fingerprints are all over the region even today.
Simeon and Anna • We know Anna was 84 (Luke 2:36), and Simeon was likely similar in age. That would place both of their births around 78 BC. Perhaps Anna's parents or grandparents saw the deliverance the Maccabees brought to bear in 167. Perhaps Simeon knew of Pompey's invasion, or even witnessed it as a child. We can wonder about the stories around the dinner table with these monumental events transpiring before them. And we can imagine what upbringing each of them experienced to provide the faith that enabled patience and expectation for the true Messiah.
Verse 25 • "waiting for the consolation of Israel" - Consolation (paraklésis in the Greek) means encouragement or comfort, usually of a personal kind, as we see in Simeon's life.
Verse 30 • "my eyes have seen your salvation" - The eyes are named by the serpent in Gen 3:5 as opening to new knowledge if what God forbids is gained. What deception! The eyes are the lamp of the body (Matt. 6:22), and if God's law is kept, they are enlightened (Ps. 19:8), and see the salvation that even angels long to look into (I Pet. 1:12). Have you seen God's salvation afresh this year?
Verse 31 • "in the sight of all people" - Simeon's promise is specific. He waits for God to act and he does, but God's revelation of his Son is not a private, selective act. It happens in public, for all to observe. The early church is quick to squash new, secret visions of Jesus known as gnosticism, because the Jewish Scripture and the newly established New Testament always keeps public and in community the revelation of God to his people. For God so loved the world... (John 3:16), and he desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (I Tim. 2:4). Like Anna (the first proselyte – see verse 38), have you not only seen but shared the good news of Jesus this season?”
Verse 32a • "a light for revelation to the Gentiles" - If you're not Jewish, you're part of the big camp called "Gentile." We are grafted in because of the work of Jesus.
Verse 32b • "and for the glory to your people Israel" - Salvation is through Israel. It is by God's people and his son, a Jew, that we are invited into the kingdom.
Verse 34-35 • "falling and rising... sword" - These are words of war, violence, and conflict. Why would this Jesus bring with him such aftermath? Perhaps it's tied into the exclusiveness of John 14:6. He is the way, truth and life, revealed to all but accepted only by a few.
How do these verses remind us to be expectant, in the Scriptures, and ready to receive what the Holy Spirit might be prompting us to do?