Marvel: Simeon's Song

Intro

We’ve gathered on this Christmas Eve in anticipation of celebrating Jesus’ birth.

But tonight we’re going to look ahead to what took place 40 days after Jesus was born.

Background

Jesus’ parents, Joseph and Mary, as faithful Jewish God followers were careful to observe the law of Moses. And so we’re told:

Luke 2:22–24 CSB

22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord) 24 and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons).

While they knew they should honor God by presenting Jesus like this, they didn’t know that God had someone very special waiting for them.

Luke 2:25–32 CSB

25 There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said, 29 Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation. 31 You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples— 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel.

Today as we consider Simeon, his life and his song I want to encourage you with one big idea:

Big Idea

Whether you wonder, worry, or wait marvel at God’s wisdom.

Wonder

Simeon - he is described as “righteous and devout”, clearly committed to knowing and walking with God

But maybe that’s not how you arrived to this Christmas celebration

You probably try to do your best, not be a jerk, but you’re not especially committed to or concerned about one way of viewing the world.

But you do wonder: who am I? what on earth am I here for?

Or perhaps you...

Worry

Simeon is said to be “looking forward to Israel’s consolation” (“Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”)

Why? Because then, as now, there’s need for consoling

And you’re especially aware of that - things are hard and you have your own questions...

How is it all going to go? How can it all work out? Why doesn’t it get any better?

Or maybe

Wait

Like Simeon, you’re waiting

Not for the Messiah to show up but for him to return.

You’re seeking to faithfully walk with Jesus, even as you wait for him to bring an end to all suffering and make all things new.

Whichever of these describes you, Christmas is a time to marvel at God’s wisdom.

What do I mean?

Very quickly I want us to recognize three ways that Jesus’ arrival demonstrates God’s wisdom.

God’s wisdom

In the birth of Jesus we find that

Jesus arrived as predicted

Later on, after he had died and been resurrected, his followers understood that he was indeed Salvation incarnate, acknowledging that all of history had been pointing to his arrival and that his arrival changes everything.

The Apostle Paul, a man who persecuted Christians until he met Jesus and became one, described his ministry like this:

Acts 26:22–23 CSB

22 To this very day, I have had help from God, and I stand and testify to both small and great, saying nothing other than what the prophets and Moses said would take place—23 that the Messiah would suffer, and that, as the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.”

Jesus arrived on time

Simeon wasn’t the only one who had been waiting.

Galatians 4:4–5 ESV

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Jesus arrived to rescue

The baby that Simeon beheld, he describes as salvation.

Why?

Because that baby was God in the flesh, stepping out of the perfection of heaven to make himself a vulnerable human.

And what’s more, as we’re told elsewhere,...

Philippians 2:7–11 CSB

7 Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, 8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross. 9 For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— in heaven and on earth and under the earth— 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

What’s the proper response to this wisdom?

Marvel

Luke 2:33 CSB

33 His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.

Other translations: marvel - surprise, wonder, astonishment

Why are they amazed? Why marvel?

They’ve been told things like this multiple times.

They’re amazed because their understanding is deepening, the reality of the meaning of this arrival is settling farther and farther into their souls.

They’re marveling because there never has been and never will be anything that tops the coming of Jesus.

Because the baby that we celebrate at Christmas is the same man we celebrate at Easter.

We marvel at his birth because of what he did with his life.

And because his birth led to the conquering of death.

Jesus did what no one else can do.

He lived the life God required of us.

And then he died the death that we deserve.

But he walked out of the grave to offer us the gift of everlasting life.

When light shines in darkness

it attracts our attention

but it also illuminates everything else.

The same is true with trusting Jesus

He is the light of the world and has come so that we can know him

and through knowing him we can see this world, with its wonders, worries and waiting, the way God intends.

Response

And so we gather here this afternoon to marvel, to stand amazed

To stop, look, notice, take it all in

If you’re one who Wonders - turn your attention to God’s ways

If you’re one who Worries - set your sights on God’s promises

If you’re one who Waits - watch for God’s work

This is a season that, for the best of intentions, can become frenzied and leave you frazzled.

So we’re going to take a minute to slow down

There’s a card in front of you with a spot on the front for as much contact info as you’re comfortable and a place for prayer requests. It would be our great privilege to pray for you.

But there are also two questions on the back.

It’s for you to consider whether you’re a wonderer, a worrier, or a waiter or maybe some combination of the three.

And to think about your response to God’s gift of life through Jesus this Christmas.

We’d also be honored to help you explore answers to your questions and learn practically how this marvelling plays out in everyday life.

You can fill out that card and then leave it in the chair pocket and we’ll collect them.

If filling out the card doesn’t seem like the right step for you at this time, that’s fine.

But don’t let that stop you from considering Jesus tonight.

As we sing these next few songs I hope you’ll consider the words, whether for the first time or the five hundredth.

I will pray for us and then the band is going to play, give us time to reflect

and then I will pray one more time and we will sing.

Prayer 1:

Father,

open the hearts and minds of many this Christmastime

to the good and saving news of Jesus Christ,

that all whose lives are insecure, or empty, or aimless,

may find in the one born at Bethlehem all they need today— and much more besides.

Prayer 2:

Father, we hope you’re delighted as we marvel at what you’ve done for us through your son Jesus. For his name’s sake, Amen.