Then took he (Simeon) Him up in his arms … and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace… Luke 2:28-29 KJV
Then he (Simeon) took Him into his arms … and said, “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace… Luke 2:28-29 NASB
And the men that held Jesus mocked Him, and smote Him. Luke 22:63 KJV
Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking Him and beating Him. Luke 22:63 NASB
It is often pointed out that the study of the “symmetry” of each Gospel record is a fruitful and delightful field of study. The Designer of the universe has also placed design into Scripture. Events at the beginning of each Gospel are balanced by comparable and contrasting events at the end of each account. We would expect nothing less from the One Who is responsible for the exquisite and delicate design of our universe.
If we are looking for contrasting events, Luke’s account does not disappoint us. All are familiar with the journey described in chapter 2 when two thought He was with them, and the journey in chapter 24 when two thought He was not with them. Lessons are often drawn for our spiritual benefit from a consideration of these journeys.
Our meditation, however, concerns a man who held Jesus in His arms as a babe, and men who held Him in their arms as a criminal. That mere mortals should actually “hold” God incarnate in their arms is a marvel in itself. He is the One Who measures the waters in the hollow of His hand (Isa 40:12). The heavens are the work of His fingers (Ps 8:3); His hand is responsible for all as Job related (Job 12:7-10).
That God the Son in wondrous self-humbling should become not only incarnate but come as a babe held in the arms of his mother and then in the arms of Simeon should produce wonder and worship in our souls.
It is this great contrast, though, between Simeon and his experience as he held the child Jesus in his arms, and the soldiers and men of Luke 22 who held Jesus, which is the theme of our consideration. Simeon uttered blessing upon blessing as he beheld the child in his arms. He blessed Mary and Joseph. He spoke of the child as the “light to lighten” Gentile nations, and as the “glory of Thy people Israel.” Whether, as we assume, he was an elderly man or not, you can almost feel his arms tremble and voice break as he uttered his song of praise and prophecy.
Fast forward about 33 years, and once again, the Lord Jesus is in the hands of men. “The men that held Jesus” (Luke 22:43). What an incredible event: puny mortal men allowed to manhandle the Christ of God! We can appreciate the reverence with which Simeon no doubt handled that body. But all is now in contrast. Irreverence, the bravado of callous men spewing out all their learned obscenities, all combined in their treatment of the Son of God.
The One Whom Simeon called the light that would lighten the Gentiles is now blindfolded as if to extinguish light from Him. Simeon spoke words of blessing which filled the temple that day; but “many other things blasphemously spake they against Him.” Simeon prophesied concerning Him; they mocked Him by taunting Him to prophesy. Simeon spoke of Him as the glory of the nation. Luke tells us that the men who held Him, “mocked Him and smote Him.”
Simeon held Him in his arms with wonder and worship. Others held Him in their hands with malice and mockery. We are once again forcibly reminded: “Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Consider:
Find events at the close of Luke which correspond with Zacharias in the temple and becoming mute.
Find angelic visitations at both the beginning and end of Luke’s record.