Sermon: Senior citizens as models for the generations | Luke 2:25–35
Sermon | 15 September 2024
Ageing is a natural progression in the story of life. Entering every stage of life requires preparation. This sermon shares how to age gracefully, modelling our lives after Simeon, from Luke chapter 2.
The role of the Elder /Presbyteros in the New Testament
In the New Testament, ‘Presbyteros’ (Greek) or ‘elder’ was used to imply a person of maturity and wisdom. The term implies that the person was of an advanced aged, seasoned by time and experience (In the context of the Church administration, the NT term always denoted a male). However, in 1 Timothy 2:5, the female-gendered term, presbytera translated as elderly/aged women is used, directing that they be treated as mothers.
In the Gospel according to Matthew, the term plural term presbyteroi is used 12 times in conjunction with the Chief Priests or scribes. These people appeared to be against Jesus. An ‘elder’ which was a common position in Judaism of Jesus’ time who played a major role in religious decision-making.
It is notable that the early church does not do away with the status of elders of the community. The term is used in its plural in the Pentecost speech of St. Peter, who quotes prophet Joel, says “your old men will dream dreams” and the term used their again is “presbyteroi”.
In Acts ch.14, Paul and Barnabas appoint elders in the local churches as a godly responsibility, through prayer and fasting. From there we see more frequent references to the elders found in conjunction with the Apostles (Acts 15:2, 4, 6; 15:22; 16:4).
Notably, the term ‘elder’, as used in the early church, signified a close relationship with God, in addition to advancement in age. Not all elderly people in the New Testament had an administrative responsibility in the church. Yet growing older was signified as growing in maturity and wisdom.
The Text
The introductory note on elders brings us, then, to today’s text, where we see two elderly people. Simeon and Anna play important roles in the infancy narrative of Christ. This sermon will focus on the role of elderly through the depiction of Simeon in Luke’s Gospel, and the lessons for the Christian community on how to age gracefully.
1. Marked by the Spirit
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
· Despite the word ‘elder’ or ‘older’ appearing 66 times in the New Testament, Luke does not use it in the story of Simeon. Nonetheless, through the narrative, we come to know that he is an elderly person.
· Clearly, Luke did not want to define Simeon by his age. His elderly stature was marked by other qualities. The first of those qualities is:
o Righteous.
§ He is described as righteous and as one who looked forward to the restoration of Israel, and then, as though these matters reveal this fact, Luke describes that the Holy Spirit was upon him.
§ One who is marked by the Spirit is righteous.
§ In the Hebrew spirituality, righteousness is the quality of seeking the will of God through learning God’s commands, and obeying them. It referred to someone who showed faithfulness to the covenant of God with his people, and maintained right relationships with God and people.
§ Deuteronomy 6:25 defines righteous ness: “And if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness.”
§ Notably, Jesus’ father Joseph was described as righteous( Matt 1:19)
§ Righteousness involved:
· Believing God’s word (Gen 15:6),
· Obeying God’s laws and commandments (Deut 6:25)
· Doing justice and being fair (Isa 1:17; Pro 21:3)
· Showing compassion and mercy ( Psa 112:4; Mic 6:8)
· Being intimate with God (Psa 15:1–2)
§ Simeon is described as righteous. He waited for the consolation of Israel. The word used for consolation is Paraklesis which means, being called to help, to come to the aid of (John’s Gospel refers to the Holy Spirit as Paraklete which implies the same actions).
o Devout (Greek: Eulabes)
§ The root word means someone who takes hold of that which is good. It implies a careful and cautious choosing in what one accepted. Often this term is translated as God-fearing.
§ Simeon, took hold of that which was good.
· Luke places a reason for these qualities, by stating, at the end that the Holy Spirit was upon him.
· Simeon was marked not by his age alone, but by the fact that the Spirit was upon him, displayed in righteousness, his choices and faith in the promised hope of the restoration of Israel.
Application
Growing older brings many challenges, yet we may allow God to reveal the mark of the Spirit on us, by continuing in fellowship with Him as we age gracefully.
2. Mentored by the Spirit
26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
· STORY: The term mentoring originates from the ancient Greek myth of Mentor, a character in Homer’s Odyssey. Mentor was entrusted by Odysseus to take care of his son, Telemachus, and guide him while Odysseus was away at war. Over time, Mentor’s name became synonymous with someone who offers guidance, wisdom, and support, which is how the term evolved into the modern concept of mentoring — where an experienced individual helps another with advice and development.
· The Bible speaks of the Holy Spirit as the one who:
o Teaches and reveals the matters of God:
§ “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” (John 14:26)
o The one who knows the deepest mysteries of God
§ “For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:10)
o Guides us in the path of Truth
§ “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth.” (John 16:13)
· Clearly God mentors his disciples through His Spirit. Here we see that Simeon was mentored by the Spirit of God by revealing the deepest mysteries of God. In the narrative, we find Simeon speaking of God’s promise, appearing at the temple and living as a righteous man, all of which are indications of being mentored by the Spirit.
Application
Growing older, we may feel that we need lesser guidance from others around us, since we have gained a wealth of experience through our lives. Yet, Simeon reminds us of the need to be mentored by the Spirit, so that we are in sync with the plans of God, comforted with hope by the knowledge of God’s promises. This requires us to learn the Word and live a life of worship, where we tune into God’s still, small voice.
3. Moved by the Spirit
· Given the above mentioned nature of Simeon, it is not surprising that Simeon is described of having been “moved” by the Holy Spirit.
· A person who is marked and mentored by the Spirit, will be moved by the leading of the Spirit of God.
· The prompting of the Holy Spirit takes Simeon to the Temple, where what was promised to him was fulfilled. The Spirit leads him towards fulfillment of his life’s purpose — meeting the promised Messiah.
· Moved to magnify: Moved by the Spirit, he is led to the temple, where he holds Lord Jesus Christ and magnifies God.
· Paul speaks of this spiritual movement, where the Spirit leads us and prays for and with us (Romans 8:26–27). Thus God moves towards us, in us and back towards God himself, thereby enabling us to participate in the life of God.
· Simeon’s statement in the context of the Roman occupation is also one of resistance. He is praising God for a new ruler, a new kingdom and a new reality that has now dawned in Jesus. He summarily rejects the power of the Roman emperor and his cronies, by worshipping God through Jesus Christ.
· The movement of the Spirit, leads us to counter and resist structures of injustice by opening our eyes to the promised salvation in life with Christ.
Application
Marked, mentored and moved by the Spirit, Simeon was able to discern that Jesus was the Messiah, and his purpose was fulfilled. We continue to read his witness today.
What is the witness that we will leave behind when our lives come to a close? What will the generations to come remember about our lives? As we chase fulfillment, may the Word remind us that it is a life in the Spirit that moves us in the right directions that will lead our lives to fulfillment.
What is our relationship with those in power who continue to perpetrate injustice and danies the dignity of all humans and nature? Do we acknowledge and proclaim the Lordship of Christ? Simeon, in this regard, is a model for us, so that we may hope and act in Christ, as we grow older.
Conclusion
When we are marked, mentored and moved by the Holy Spirit, we will confess that “Jesus is Lord” and that he is our salvation. A generation that testifies this are models for the coming generations.
May we age more gracefully, by the leading of the Spirit, expressed through Christian faith practices. May the Spirit mark us, mentor us and move us so that we may return praises and glory to him, as we live in the life of the Holy Trinity.
Simeon’s Song: Marked, Mentored, Moved (Poem)
Lord, as you marked the old man
in the shadowed temple,
stirring him deep as the earth stirs
before dawn breaks —
Mark us, too, in the silence.
Let us bear that same quiet knowing
that waits without trembling.He was mentored by your breath,
the Holy Spirit speaking not in thunder
but in whispers, clear as the morning light
threading through thick curtains.
Mentor us, lead us through
the haze of doubt,
the clutter of our small, hurried hours,
to hear you steady as the hum
of the earth itself.And then, moved —
he stepped forward, arms empty,
ready to receive.
To cradle promise in his weathered hands,
to proclaim, without question,
the salvation of all peoples.Move us, too, God.
Make us vessels for this light,
open to its weight,
to its promise.
Let us sing with the same boldness,
the same unshaken joy —
for we have seen your salvation
and we wait no longer.Let the light rise in us.
(Poem generated by ChatGPT after the summary of the above sermon and the biblical portion was given to it)
Mathews George (Rev.) | mtwsgeorge@gmail.com | Mar Thoma Syrian Church
www.mathewsgeorge.substack.com | www.mathewsgeorge.medium.com