children to the Lord who gave them to us, beseeching him to redeem them from sin and death, and
make them holy to himself.
Verses 25–35
The same Spirit that provided for the support of Simeon's hope, provided for his joy. Those
who would see Christ must go to his temple. Here is a confession of his faith, that this Child in his
arms was the Saviour, the salvation itself, the salvation of God's appointing. He bids farewell to
this world. How poor does this world look to one that has Christ in his arms, and salvation in his
view! See here, how comfortable is the death of a good man; he departs in peace with God, peace
with his own conscience, in peace with death. Those that have welcomed Christ, may welcome
death. Joseph and Mary marvelled at the things which were spoken of this Child. Simeon shows
them likewise, what reason they had to rejoice with trembling. And Jesus, his doctrine, and people,
are still spoken against; his truth and holiness are still denied and blasphemed; his preached word
is still the touchstone of men's characters. The secret good affections in the minds of some, will be
revealed by their embracing Christ; the secret corruptions of others will be revealed by their enmity
to Christ. Men will be judged by the thoughts of their hearts concerning Christ. He shall be a
suffering Jesus; his mother shall suffer with him, because of the nearness of her relation and affection.
Verses 36–40
There was much evil then in the church, yet God left not himself without witness. Anna always
dwelt in, or at least attended at, the temple. She was always in a praying spirit; gave herself to
prayer, and in all things she served God. Those to whom Christ is made known, have great reason
to thank the Lord. She taught others concerning him. Let the example of the venerable saints,
Simeon and Anna, give courage to those whose hoary heads are, like theirs, a crown of glory, being
found in the way of righteousness. The lips soon to be silent in the grave, should be showing forth
the praises of the Redeemer. In all things it became Christ to be made like unto his brethren, therefore
he passed through infancy and childhood as other children, yet without sin, and with manifest proofs
of the Divine nature in him. By the Spirit of God all his faculties performed their offices in a manner
not seen in any one else. Other children have foolishness bound in their hearts, which appears in
what they say or do, but he was filled with wisdom, by the influence of the Holy Ghost; every thing
he said and did, was wisely said and wisely done, above his years. Other children show the corruption
of their nature; nothing but the grace of God was upon him.
Verses 41–52
It is for the honour of Christ that children should attend on public worship. His parents did not
return till they had stayed all the seven days of the feast. It is well to stay to the end of an ordinance,
as becomes those who say, It is good to be here. Those that have lost their comforts in Christ, and
the evidences of their having a part in him, must bethink themselves where, and when, and how
they lost them, and must turn back again. Those that would recover their lost acquaintance with
Christ, must go to the place in which he has put his name; there they may hope to meet him. They
found him in some part of the temple, where the doctors of the law kept their schools; he was sitting