The Song of Simeon

I’m curious, who here still has un-inspected stockings and unwrapped gifts waiting until after our worship?

For some today marks the end of decor, events, festivities and tasks that have added stress to lives ever since the costumes were put away and the pumpkins imploded.

Have you considered that Christmas Day is not the end, but the Beginning of a Season? I have heard tell, but never known a family that waited until Christmas eve to put up a tree.

In my faith and family traditions, “advent” was not a word we used much. Then I began to use advent and Christmas season synonymously until I learned that technically Advent ends when Christmas begins. Advent is the season leading up to the “Christ mass” much like Lent is the time leading up to Resurrection Day. Many Latin and European cultures make a big deal of 3 Kings Day. January 6 being celebrated as the real time of gift-giving.

In some strict families no tree is brought into the home until after the priest has performed the Christ mass, which begins the 12 days. Therefore today is not the end of the season, it is just beginning.

The Latin title for this song is Nunc Dimmitis, “Now I can depart” For Simeon the Christ Event was a conclusion, for us it is an introduction into life in the Spirit and Mission for the Kingdom.

If you’ve ever seen the movie Talladega Nights (this reference is NOT a recommendation. The movie contains attempts at humor that are crude and unnecessary), you may recall that the lead actor prays to “Sweet Little Baby Jesus” because he prefers the innocent baby image to any of the rest of Scripture. Too many people (even those who admit the true meaning of Christmas) leave the baby in the manger. Today’s text forces us to admit there was much that happened after the shepherds left.

For Simeon the beginning of the Christ event (the incarnation, atonement, resurrection & ascension) was all he needed to know that God would be faithful to make things right.

For Jesus the incarnation was just the beginning of the Christ event (that would include a sinless life, teaching, serving, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension).

For Mary the current joy would turn to indescribable sorrow at Calvary.

For the rest of Humanity the Christ event separates into 2 groups: those who receive the gift and those who reject the Messiah.

Transition: Let us look more closely at this sliver that reveals to us the contents of the rest of the plank that we know as the Person and Work of Christ. Simeon’s words begin where...

Prophecies Find Fulfillment (vv.29-31)

Simeon (v.26)

Luke 2:26 ESV:2016

26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

To Israel Specifically (cf. Zacharias)

Luke 1:67–68 ESV:2016

67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, 68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people

At the time Zacharias spoke “his people” represented the descendants of Abraham.

Before Zacharias spoke, it was prophesied by Joel that “his people” would expand to “all flesh”

Joel 2:28 ESV:2016

28 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.

To Humanity at large (cf. All men)

Luke 2:10–11 ESV:2016

10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

The prophecy of Joel (and Isaiah) was quoted by John the Baptist

Luke 3:6 ESV:2016

6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”

Peter (a Jew) preached on Pentecost that God’s Spirit being poured out on Gentiles (most of us in this room) was the fulfilled promise by God through Jewish prophets and heralds

Acts 2:16–17 ESV:2016

16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 17 “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;

Transition: The specific prophetic promises are all part of...

A Plan Unfolds (v.32)

Too many hold an image of God as one who is powerful enough to REACT to man’s decisions, but this image elevated man above God. I believe The God of the Bible is not one who reacts to man, but One who has established a plan with a pre-thought response to man’s thoughts and actions.

My athletic career spanned 3 years. In 3rd grade I played in 1 little league baseball game that involved an inside-the park homerun, and in 5thgrade I played in 3 flag-football games, involving 3 defeats. At this stage athletes don’t make many decisions, we just do whatever the coach is yelling. After this I switched permanently to choir and band, which is just a matter of practice and perform, without any form of defense working against us. Athletes who continue past my level learn to read, evaluate and respond to defenses. The coach determines a plan and players execute the plan and adjust to the circumstances of the defense. A dominant offense can prepare for either man or zone coverage. A good solo athlete can respond to athleticism or technique of the opponent, according to the drills and practices so that if X happens then you can respond with a Y. Just as athletes, soldiers and Law enforcement drill so that when a situation arises, they can respond rather than react; God has established a plan that permits Him to RESPOND to man’s rebellion or repentance.

Light revealed to All

The reality that God’s Messiah would be salvation for all peoples was not a reaction to Jewish rejection, it was a scheduled unfolding of redemptive plan.

God intended that Abraham’s descendants would be unique among the other nations as an illustration of what would look like for Christ-followers not to look like the World.

Glory repeated to Israel

God’s presence in the midst of Israel was not a new experience for the descendants of Abraham.

God visited the Patriarchs on various occasions—sometimes adorned with His glory and sometimes appearing as angel or man.

God dwelt among His people in the Wilderness of Sin as both cloud and fire and His glory rested on the Mercy Seat when sacrifices were made to atone for the people.

Jesus was ANOTHER expression of God’s glory among His people.

Transition: The reality is that man’s response to revelation and glory can instigate...

A Pain is Described

A cut that separates (v.34)

1. Very few people were ambivalent about Jesus. His teaching and miracles forced people to take sides.

When one is hiking the pastures of our native grasslands one will encounter many stones. These stones can either be an aid or a hindrance. The very same stone can lift one up to get a better view of the coming terrain, or can cause a fall so that a person gets a very close inspection of the soil.

2. Jesus is described as the stone that the builders rejected, meaning He was left in the pasture. The very same stone can cause different outcomes based upon if you trust it and rest your weight on it, or if you try to ignore it and it causes stumbling.

3. The claim of Jesus to divinity causes some to rise within Israel, and many to fall in the same region.

A cut that hurts (v.35a)

I don’t know how much Simeon knew or was blessed to foresee about Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion, but he definitely sensed something.

No mother likes to see her child disregarded or bullied. Yes, Mary knew her Son was Messiah come to save the people from their sins. No, she didn’t know He would walk on water, and she had no idea the extent to which her heart would be broken when Jesus actually endured what He was born to accomplish.

The naivete with which young people make wedding vows too often underestimates the pain that the covenant will introduce later, since that covenant is being made my fallen humans.

3. Although Jesus was NOT fallen, Mary would experience unimaginable pain due to the way fallen men would react to her Son.

A revelation of hearts (v.35b)

1. Just as Jesus could not be ignored in Palestine in the first century, causing some to rise and others to fall, the event we celebrate today reveals the condition of each of our hearts.

2. Regardless of the emotional state you experience from gifts or family that is either near or far, your heart is either warmed by the fact that God became a man, took your sin upon himself, and offers to you His righteous standing before God; OR your heart is indifferent or inconvenience by the Christ event.

3. Some of us in this room find the Christ event a reason for joy and worship.

4. Some of us in this room find the Christ event an intrusion into our fun and revelry.

Transition: As we move closer to the communion table, I trust your heart is overcome by God’s great love for you this day.

Conclusion:

As stated in my introduction, Christmas Day is not the end, it is the next step toward fuller discipleship and mission. Our Jewish friends continue to light the Menorah as testimony of the Faithfulness of Adonai. Our Orthodox friends, many of whom are born again continue moving toward Christ until the Magi arrive and surrender in worship.

The events that we celebrate on Christmas Day should not be a let down or disappointment in any way. The gift of the Triune God is a reminder that He invites us to continue to draw near to Him, as He continues to provide blessings to us and through us.

One of those blessings is the Communion Table. A celebration with bread and wine that reminds of past faithfulness and proclaims the Lord’s death until He comes again.

There is nothing magical about the elements, but there is spiritual nourishment for us when we consume in faith. When we personalize the teachings and commands of Scripture and make them part of our values through repentance and faith, His truth transforms us from the inside out.

Communion

Song of Response #.......... “The Gift Goes On”

Benediction:

Romans 15:13 ESV:2016

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.