Luke 2:21-35


 

“Simeon, Salvation Has Come”
(Luke 2:21–35)

At Harvest, we love baby dedications. It’s a moment when parents stand before the church body and say, We will raise this child in the faith of Jesus. And in turn, the church surrounds that family in prayer and support, blessing their commitment.

But today, in Luke 2, we’re looking at what might be the strangest baby dedication in history. When Simeon prays over baby Jesus, some parents might have wanted to say, Uhh, thanks... now can we have our baby back?

Seeing Jesus When Others Missed Him

We’re living in a time when more and more people walk into churches, hear Jesus preached, and walk out saying, “I didn’t really get much out of that.” That’s not a new problem—it’s exactly what was happening when Jesus first came.

In Luke 2, Jesus—God in the flesh—is right there in front of people. But Caesar didn’t care. The philosophers weren’t interested. The religious leaders were too absorbed with themselves to notice. But Simeon didn’t miss Him.

Why?

Because Simeon’s heart was in a different place. He was waiting and longing for the true Messiah. And when others missed Jesus staring them in the face, Simeon saw Him clearly.

Jesus Fulfilled the Law… Completely

Luke 2:21–24 describes Mary and Joseph following the Jewish law: circumcision, purification, and a sacrifice offered at the temple. These weren’t just rituals—Luke is showing us something deeper.

Jesus was already fulfilling the law, even as a baby. He would go on to live a perfect, sinless life on our behalf.

And notice what sacrifice Mary and Joseph bring: two pigeons. According to Leviticus 12, if a family couldn’t afford a lamb, this was the offering allowed. Jesus was born into poverty, not privilege. God came in full power, yet entered the world in a humble, ordinary home.

This all likely happened before the wise men showed up with expensive gifts. Jesus’ family didn’t start out rich—they started out faithful.

Enter Simeon: A Man of the Spirit

While this scene was playing out like any other temple dedication, one man wasn’t caught up in routine. He wasn’t looking to be entertained or noticed. He was looking for Jesus.

Simeon was “just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel,” and Scripture says the Holy Spirit was upon him. In fact, the Spirit is mentioned three times in relation to Simeon:

  • The Spirit was on him (v.25)

  • The Spirit revealed truth to him (v.26)

  • The Spirit led him into the temple (v.27)

We know little about his outward appearance—but we know everything about his inward condition. He was a man walking in the Spirit.

Real Maturity Isn’t About Being Fed

Hebrews 5 reminds us: “Though by this time you ought to be teachers, you still need milk.”

In other words, we have too many believers still asking to be spoon-fed—“I’m not being fed” becomes the excuse. But here’s the truth:

One sermon a week can’t sustain your soul.
You need daily bread (Matt. 6:11).
You need to know how to seek Jesus for yourself.

It’s not about having the perfect church or perfect pastor. It’s about having a heart that longs for Jesus and His Word, like Simeon. If you’re in a church that is faithfully preaching God’s Word, and you’re not getting anything from it—the problem may not be the church. It might be your heart.

Salvation Is Personal

Then comes Simeon’s prayer:

“For my eyes have seen Your salvation…” (v.30)

He doesn’t say, I’ve seen something that will help me earn salvation. He says, I’ve seen the One who is salvation.

Salvation isn’t based on what you do—it’s based on who you know.

You must know Jesus personally. If you’re relying on others to “feed” you Jesus or make Him entertaining, you might not have a heart for Jesus at all. Jesus must be everything—your Savior, your source, your satisfaction.

As Acts 4:12 says, “There is no other name under heaven… by which we must be saved.”

A Light for All People

In verse 32, Simeon says something shocking for a Jewish temple setting:

“A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.”

Jesus wasn’t just a savior for the Jews. He is Savior of the world. And if you’re saved, your purpose is to help others come to know Him too.

Simeon goes on to speak a prophetic word to Mary:

“A sword will pierce your own soul also…”

Mary would watch her son suffer and die. She would carry that pain. Because salvation required a cross. There’s no nativity without the Cross at Calvary.

Only Jesus Will Fulfill You

So maybe you’re like Simeon—waiting, hoping, searching. Or maybe you’ve been bouncing from church to church, from relationship to relationship, trying to find fulfillment.

Only Jesus satisfies.
Only Jesus saves.
Only Jesus fills what your soul is longing for.

Your Next Step

If there’s one thing I could ask of you as your pastor—it’s this:

Don’t look to me.
Don’t look to a church or a ministry or a person to save or sustain you.
Look to Jesus.
Open the Word for yourself.
Pray for yourself.
Pursue Jesus for yourself.

Let your heart be like Simeon’s—attuned to the Spirit, longing for the Savior, and ready to receive the person of salvation: Jesus Christ.

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