In this morning’s text we find Joseph and Mary enjoying the new addition to their family. They have been blessed with the Holy Child, Jesus. And there is no one else in the entire world that knew Jesus like Joseph and Mary knew Jesus.
As is the case of any new parents with their first child,
it was probably difficult for Joseph and Mary to sleep.
I wonder how many times they were awaken with the awesome presence of God cradled near their bed.
That first week (after the birth of Jesus) must have been exciting for Joseph and Mary. They both had a tremendous responsibility in taking care of their newborn baby, the Christ Child.
And one of those responsibilities was to fully submit to the Laws of Moses by taking baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to be consecrated unto the Lord.
Jesus was to be circumcised, and Mary would bring her sacrifices of two turtledoves to the altar of the Lord.
Recently (in our Mid Week Service, on Wednesdays) we have been learning how the Lord will often deal with one person while at the same time He is dealing with another. That is, one person will need ministry while the Lord will (at the same time) prepare someone else for the fulfillment of that ministry.
This is the case with our story this morning.
It is interesting to know that - While Joseph and Mary made preparations to take baby Jesus to Jerusalem, the Lord was (at the same time) prompting a man named Simeon to meet with the Savior of the world.
Text: Luke 2:25 thru 32
Prayer:
What we see here is the first conversion to Christ. Simeon –
· Was the first soul to receive Christ as his Lord and Savior.
· Had waited a long time on the coming of the Lord.
· Had spent his entire life in the temple trying to do everything he knew to become the just and devout man that he was thought of.
· Had seen thousands of sacrifices made at the temple for the sins of the people.
· Was an important man of religion, but he knew he would never be satisfied until he was able to see the Messiah.
And the day finally came. Now this baby, Jesus, was all that would ever be important to Simeon.
Nothing else matters to those who have a personal relationship with the Son of God.
Folks, we have come this morning to worship and to adore the Savior of the world. Like Simeon, God has spoken to us and told us it is important for us to be here.
Because, the Savior has arrived. Our Jesus is in His Holy Temple. Jesus has come to meet with you and I.
Consider this. The Holy Spirit has prompted millions, if not billions, of people to gather at God’s Temple.
The Savior has impacted lives around the world for hundreds of years. Jesus, the Savior, continues to meet with people like Simeon, and you, and I every moment of everyday. Everywhere.
Our text tells us the story of the first visit, by the Savior, to God’s House. That day, the Son of God was welcomed by Simeon. Jesus was embraced and worshipped by mankind as He always has been and forever will be.
Here in our temple (that God has provided for us) we also sense the presence of Jesus.
The Savior is to be honored and hallowed by everyone.
Simeon was the first to know the awesome presence of the Lord, Jesus Christ. This is what we sense every week when we come here for services in God’s house.
We must prepare ourselves daily for His arrival. As well, we know we must be in God’s house on the Sabbath.
It is here that we can welcome the Savior of the world.
I want you to notice that Simeon was one of only two people in the Temple that day to have welcomed Joseph, Mary and Jesus.
(The other was a woman who never left the Temple of the Lord, and that is another story.)
Where were the other saints of God?
Where were the priests and the scribes?
Why were they not there (also) waiting for Jesus?
Simeon had become part of the new Israel. The other priests and scribes (missing) couldn’t understand this.
No longer would religion work for Simeon. There was a new day coming to Israel. Simeon would be part of it. The new spiritual and faith believing Israel was born!
God knows there will be those who will hunger and thirst for the sight and presence of the Christ.
The Prince of Peace. That Rose of Sharon. That light that brings revelation unto the Gentiles. Jesus Christ!
Like Simeon, we must long to see Jesus.
Well who was this Simeon?
Verse 25 says that Simeon was a just and devout man.
He was just in his ways toward mankind while he was devout in his love and adoration of Jehovah God.
You see, Simeon walked the walk and talked the talk.
He was highly respected by the people of Jerusalem and considered to be a great prophet.
Simeon knew the Word of God. Simeon longed for the fulfillment of what the prophet Isaiah said about Jesus:
Isaiah 49:6-9
6. …I will make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."
7 This is what the LORD says-- the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel-- to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers:
"Kings will see you and rise up, princes will see and bow down,
8 …"In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people,
9 …to the captives, ’Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ’Be free!’ "
Simeon and all of Israel had waited for this prophecy to be fulfilled. But it was Simeon who prepared himself for the coming of the Lord. He was not just a religious man, as much as he was a man of faith and believing.
There was one other thing that was important for Simeon in being ready for the coming of the Christ Child. It is also found in verse 25 of our text.
The Holy Spirit had come upon Simeon. He was filled with the Holy Spirit and ready to meet the Lord.
Isn’t it interesting how throughout the story of Christmas, we have seen the important role that the Holy Spirit had in bringing Christ to us?
(The Holy Spirit still has a great influence in revealing Jesus to us.)
There was good reason for the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Christmas Story.
Joseph and Mary (no doubt) had to be careful while traveling with the Christ Child. The safety and well being of the Christ Child was important to them.
They didn’t know who they could trust. They had to discern good from evil with everyone they met.
Joseph and Mary discerned the presence of the Holy Spirit on Simeon that day. Simeon would (once again) confirm to Joseph, Mary, and the entire world just Who this baby was. Jesus truly is the Savior of the world.
Listen carefully my friend.
If you are not sure about Who Jesus is -
It will be the Holy Spirit that will confirm His existence.
With the anointing of the Holy Spirit, you will know Jesus!
It is then there will be no denying Who Jesus really is!
Consider this:
In our story, we see Simeon (figuratively) as:
· An old saint of God who represents the Old Israel.
· The old way of thinking.
· The “old time religion”.
· The old way of religion with all of the traditions, rules and regulations to live by.
Also, in our story, we see Jesus (REALISTICALLY) as:
· The New and Living Way for the people.
· That child like innocence of Hope for tomorrow.
· The New Age of Grace and Mercy
· The New Testament and the New Covenant of God being revealed to a lost and dieing world.
In our story, we see the old giving way to the new.
They say that this is the last day of this millennium.
This year will end today.
Each of us has a new opportunity we are faced with.
Closing:
If you don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior -
What better way (do you know of, than) to start off your New Year than with a New Life in Jesus Christ?
In the physical realm, Simeon was old and dieing.
But Jesus was now the birth of eternal life.
For those who already know Jesus as their Savior –
In the spiritual realm, you are old and dieing also.
That is, dieing to yourself and your old way of thinking.
So what do we all need to do?
We need to do as Simeon did.
Simeon “took Him up in his arms and blessed God…”
Simeon embraced the Salvation of the Lord. He held Jesus close to his breast and said,
“For my eyes have seen Your salvation.”
That certainly says it all, doesn’t it?
After holding the baby, Jesus, in his arms this old man’s life was now complete.
My friend, you know when you have touched the Lord.
You will embrace Jesus with your whole heart.
You may weep, you may shout, but your life will never be the same.
