William Burkitt's Expository Notes

Luke 2:25

No sooner was our Saviour brought into the temple and presented to the Lord by his holy parents, but in springs old Simeon,. pious and devout man who had. revelation from God that he should not die until he had with his bodily eyes seen the promised Messiah.

Accordingly, he takes up the child Jesus in his arms, but hugs him faster by his faith, than by his feeble arms, and with ravishment of heart praises God for the sight of his Saviour, whom he calls the Consolation of Israel; that is, the Messiah, whom the Israel of God had long looked and waited for, now took comfort and consolation in.

Note here, 1. How God always performs his promises to his children with wonderful advantages. Simeon had. revelation that he should not die until he had seen Christ; now he not only sees him, but feels him too; he not only has him in his eye, but holds him in his hands.

Though God stays long before he fulfils his promises, he certainly comes at last with. double reward for our expectation.

Note 2. That the coming of the Messiah in the fulness of time, and his appearing in our flesh and nature, was and is. matter of unspeakable consolation to the Israel of God. And now that he is come, let us live by faith in him, as the foundation of all comfort and consolation both in life and death.

Alas! what are all other consolations besides this, and without this? They are impotent and insufficient consolations, they are dying and perishing consolations; nay, they are sometimes afflictive and distressing consolations. The bitterness accompanying them, is sometimes more than the sweetness that is tasted in them; but in Christ, who is the consolation of Israel there is light without darkness, joy without sorrow, all consolation without any mixture of discomfort.

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William Burkitt's Expository Notes

Luke 2:25

Old Testament

New Testament