Redemptionsong
Well-Known Member
This was not the expectation of all.It is a Christian reading, as interpreted from the Septuagint most probably. But we also know that Jewish expectation of a messiah was not to be a divinity.
Simeon was a devout Jew, and God told him that he would not see death until he had seen the Messiah. When he did see the infant Jesus, he said, 'Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.'
Now, there are numerous passages in the Hebrew scriptures that indicate that the Christ, the Messiah, is not just a man. And in the passage from Luke 2, quoted above, it is clear that Simeon understood the Messiah to be the salvation of God. This creates a problem for those who think of the Christ as the son of David, but not as the son of God. For in lsaiah 43:11, and Hosea 13:4, it states categorically that there is only one Saviour, and that is God! The Saviour of mankind is not just a man.
This raises a very real and pertinent question at a time when Jews in lsrael are awaiting the arrival of the Messiah, and are preparing for the rebuilding of the temple. What kind of a Messiah are they expecting? If it's another son of David, born of human parentage, and without divine credentials, then l suggest we be very wary!
When Jesus ascended to heaven, the angels said, 'this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go up into heaven.' [Acts 1:11]
Well, it doesn't come plainer than that!