The Infancy and Boyhood of Jesus

Luke 2:25-35, 39, 40

GOLDEN TEXT: “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.”—Luke 2:52

SIMEON was evidently a noble character, a just and devout man, waiting in faith for the consolation of Israel—the kind of character to whom God reveals His truth. “Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.” The Holy Spirit spoke through Him, and being thus inspired, he prophesied concerning the infant Jesus.

Simeon declared this child to be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel. John the Baptist also pointed to Him as the true Light which lighteth every man which cometh into the world. (John 1:9) And Paul adds: “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who will have all men to be saved [from their blindness and deafness], and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”—I Timothy 2:4

As the vast majority of mankind have never been thus enlightened, and thousands more have been only partially so, it follows logically that the full enlightenment of the world awaits the Millennial reign of Christ, when through His mighty power all that are in their graves will come forth. Then that glorious Sun of Righteousness will arise with healing in His wings. He will enlighten the whole world, and believing Israel will then glory in Him.

Simeon’s further prophecy recorded in verse 34, is partially fulfilled. The world has witnessed the fall of Israel from divine favor and their sad condition as outcasts for nearly two thousand years because of their rejection of Christ. And now the time of their rising again is at hand and they will be raised up nationally to all the favor from which they fell nationally. Much progress has been made in the re gathering of Israelites to their native land, preparatory to the turning away of their blindness and their coming into divine favor and blessings. When this blindness is taken away, they will look upon Him whom they have pierced mourn for Him, the prophet says—in sorrow and repentance for the hardness of heart which caused them to reject Him at His first presence.

The statement, “and for a sign which will be spoken against,” has been fulfilled all down through the age in the reproach which is always attached to those who have accepted the invitation and taken up their crass to follow in the footsteps of their Master. The statement in verse 35 doubtless has reference to Christ’s tragic death, and the test of faith thereby instituted, both in that day, and even to the end of the age, thus (by the test) revealing the thoughts of many hearts—proving which are loyal and faithful to God as true soldiers of the cross, and which are not. It is not probable however, that Simeon, who spoke thus under divine inspiration, fully understood the import of his words.

In this connection it will be noticed that Anna, the prophetess, another devout, faithful soul, recognized and pointed out the infant Redeemer. It will be observed that she was of the tribe of Asher—another evidence of what we have frequently called attention to in connection with the Anglo-Israel question, that the entire house of Israel (12 tribes) was represented at Jerusalem in our Lord’s day, and not the tribes of Judah and Benjamin only.

Our golden text, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man,” suggests the rapid development of perfect humanity. The perfect child grew and waxed strong physically and intellectually, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. His humble birth gave Him none of the advantages of education or social culture, yet even at the age of twelve years, all that heard Him in conversation, the matured and learned doctors of the law in the Temple, were astonished at His understanding and answers. As a perfect human being, His mind was active and strong, His reasoning powers were acute, His perceptive mind awake to every educating influence with which He came in contact, His moral perceptions always discarding everything evil, and His memory treasuring up all that was worthy of a place in His mind. Thus He grew and waxed strong and was filled with wisdom.

QUESTIONS:

What is meant by the prophecy that Jesus was a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel?

Of what tribe was the Prophetess Anna, and of what significance is this with respect to the Anglo-Israel question?

What is meant by the statement that Jesus increased in wisdom, stature, and favor of the Lord?

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