Luke 2:25-35: Christ's Life and Purpose Foretold

Luke 2:25-35 (How Believers Should Live in Light of Christ’s Life and Purpose)

Moving on from our Advent Series, the remaining verses in Luke 2 lead us through the early years of Jesus’ life to the time appointed by God, that His earthly ministry would start. Between Luke 2:25 and Luke 3:1, what’s recorded about Jesus’ adolescent life may seem limited, however, what Luke records for us, presents us with a precursor to the effect Christ would through His life, death, and resurrection.

Today we learn of Simeon. Simeon was a “just” and “devout” follower and believer in God, who lived in light of the promises foretold of the coming Messiah. This alone should serve as both an admonition and an encouragement. Why? Because believers, living in the N/T, possess God’s completed and written account of:

Christ’s life—how He lived, guiding and setting the example of how a believer should live justly and devoutly---

Christ’s death—how He paid the price for our sin and bore God’s judgment and wrath for sin and how we can live in liberty of His accomplished work on the cross

Christ’s resurrection—how in His resurrection, believer’s no longer have to live in fear of death, in fear of separation from God—but can live in the assurance of one day living eternally in the presence of God

Christ’s acsencion—how in His ascension Christ sits as our great Mediator and Intercessor and how we have been gifted the Holy Spirit who now dwells in believers, comforming us more in the character of Christ

Believer’s today (you and I), just as Simeon and others, must walk or run their race in light of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. In studying Joseph and Mary’s visit to Jerusalem and meeting with Simeon, we are drawn to see Simeon’s example of this and apply these truths to our own lives as believers—and as always, be reminded of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

(READ LUKE 2:25-35)

I. (v.25-27) As Simeon walked closely with God, so must believers today

Luke 2:25–27“And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 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. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law,”

(CONTEXT) Five things about Simeon’s life we need to see

Simeon was a “just” and “devout” man

“Just” (GRK): means righteous (in character or act), a state of being right

In simple terms, Simeon lived as he should, well-behaved and in fear of the Lord

“Devout” (GRK): “taking hold well,” or “careful as to the realization of the presence and claims of God

Simeon was a man who looked for the coming of the Messiah, which is what is meant by, “…the consolation of Israel.”

Believing Jews felt and believed Israel would find consolation ONLY in the Messiah

(Opposite of what most others of that day “desired”—that of a military/political leader/earthly throne)

Believing Jews longed and paced will ALL hope and patience for His coming

Mark 15:43 “Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.”

Simeon was a man led by the Holy Spirit

Although the Holy Spirit had not been given as a part of the New Covenant yet, it seems the Holy Spirit rested upon Simeon continually…which reveals the closeness by which Simeon walked with God.

Simeon was a man given a special and unique promise

Simeon, based on the uniqueness of God’s promise, was a man who searched the Scriptures, studied the Scriptures, and held them close to his heart—searching for the coming salvation of the Messiah

(1 Peter 1:10 “Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,”)

Simeon, at some point thru the Holy Spirit, was promised that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah

Simeon was a man who saw and held the Messiah.

Again, led by the Spirit, Simeon entered the temple the day Jesus was to be dedicated—a day which Simeon longed and hoped for, b/c he would have the opportunity to embrace, hold, place his eyes, hands, senses, on the Messiah-child

The point in all of this—is to see the closeness by which Simeon walked with God; Simeon was a man who lived as a dynamic example of strong dedication

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION—You and Me) We must take the example of Simeon and live our lives in like manner;

Believers must live justly and devoutly with diligence

Living justly and devoutly—in committing ourselves to live as God would have us, is to live according to His wisdom

In Proverbs 1-9, we find a series of foundational truths relating to God’s wisdom, prior to Solomon’s collection of sayings (Prov 10-22). Within these truths we find several imperatives relating to God’s wisdom, such as

“Hear, and do not forsake”

Treasure and seek, keep, go after, and apply, lean on, trust, and believe, pay attention, and more. Many of these are repeated in these chapters

These disciplines are the daily pursuits—developed with diligence—in which a believer needs to:

Avoid the pitfalls of sin and worldly living (divestment)

Lead the believer to a better and more devout walk in fear of the Lord

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Proverbs 1-6 sees its application not just in the 31 chapters of Proverbs, but in the entirety of God’s word;

Revelation 1:3 “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.”

Again, as this pertains in context to the book of Revelation, the same is true if we are steadfast in our devotion to all of God’s Word.

We must live, in keen awareness of the Holy Spirit’s purpose and presence in our lives;

The Holy Spirit’s purpose in our lives:

Is to assure us/gaurantee the believer of their salvation (Eph 1:13-14)

Is to abide with the believer forever (John 14:16)

Is to teach us and remind the believer of what they learn of God (John 16:26)

Is to convict the believer of sin (John 16:8)

Is to guide the believer in all truth (John 16:13)

Is to intercede on behalf of the believer’s prayers (Romans 8:26)

Is to conform the believer more and more into the image and character of Christ (2 Cor 3:18 and Romans 8:29)

The Holy’s Spirit’s presence should

Affect the believers’ decisions they make (daily and moment to moment)

Affect the believer’s response to temptation/trials/tribulations

Affect the believer’s devotion and prayer time

Affect how believers respond to the sin in our lives

Affect more believers understand what Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 3:16 “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

We must live, justly and devoutly in all diligence:

Diligence means: committing to something (in the believer’s case, following Christ)—regardless of the cost

As we believers we must ask ourselves:

What thoughts/attitudes/actions are hindering our diligent devoution to pursue God

What are the “easily ensnaring” sins we need to cast at the foot of the cross

What area(s) of our lives need divestment in order we might better invest in the things of God

These questions—if we are honest, transparent, and open with ourselves and God, may reveal things which are unpleasent, unbecoming, or unwanted.

But we must a dynamic and amazing part of God’s grace in this: see these things. How? It’s grace that God allows us to find out about ourselves—b/c in revealing what

Diligence requires:

The “spiritual sweat” which comes from spiritual disciplines such as

Daily devotion and prayer

Daily self-denial/surrender/submission

Daily confession & repentance

Daily recognition of our spiritual bankruptcy apart from Christ

Daily “putting to death the deeds of our flesh.”

Daily, “putting on the Lord Jesus Christ”

Daily, “put(ting) on the whole armor of God”

The remembering of

God’s promises and truths

God’s image we are created in and for

Believer’s must live in light of Christ’s return—in light of our heavenly home

The world is full of hardships/temptations, full of long days, tough decisions, and obstacles. The flesh wars against us & the enemy wars against believers...why? Because if we are with God, Satan is against us...and as with Job he lurks (“going to and fro”) looking for ways to deceive, distract, and disassociate believers from living as a new creation.

Our ONLY solace and comfort is Christ (“...give us today our daily bread...”). Our hope MUST rest in knowing He’s returning to make all things new and in the waiting, again, leaning into and yielding to the Holy Spirit’s designated role of conforming us more in the image of Christ, (our next point)

Titus 2:11–14 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”

Revelation 21:5 “Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.””

Believers must live yielding to the designated work of the Holy Spirit (we learned about his purpose and presence, now what are we to do?)

Galatians 5:18 “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

(David Jeremiah) “To be led by the Spirit implies that we are allowing ourselves to be led. As we invite the Holy Spirit to direct us, He enables us to defeat the power of the flesh more and more so we can walk in the way of freedom adn righteousness.”

Ephesians 5:18 “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,”

(David Jeremiah) “…the Christian who is filled with the Spirit gives over control of his her life to the Spirit. The command is in the present tense, which indicates that being filled with Spirit is not a once-for-all experience but a continuous one.”

“Filled” more times in the N/T refers to the yielding of a believer to the Holy’s Spirit’s work in their lives. Think of like an umpire, which is Scripture use of “let” in some places, refers to this

Believers must live drawing near to God—James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

“Draw near to God,”--this phrase is an imperative; contextually James is speaking of the need to draw near to God in times of temptation/trial—however, the context of this verse directs us to see our “drawing near to God,” is a foundational discipline, as a born again believer:

Scripturally speaking, “drawing near to God,” is:

Never casual but always intentional/purposeful

Never mere submission but to desire a closeness to God--to get as close as possible

How?

Through the believer’s intentional, meditative, and obedience to the reading of God’s Word:

A believer’s relationship with God is directly related to their relationship with God’s Word

Psalm 1:2 “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.”

Not just reading for knowledge—but reading for the means of “ingesting” His Word

Jeremiah 15:16 “Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.”

Prayer

A believer’s prayer life should be

Persistent (Luke 11:5-8, 18:1-6)

“Ask” in these verses literally means “keep on asking”

“Seek” in these verses literally means “keep on seeking”

“Knock” in these verses literally means “keep on knocking”

Constant (Acts 12:5 “Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.” )

“Constant” used in Acts 12:5 is a medical term “describing the stretching of a muscle to it’s limits”

When our faith gets stretched, so to should the believer’s prayer life be stretched

Perevering/perpetual (Ex 30:8 and 1 Thess 5:17)

Believers are to discipline themselves to have more and more the character of prayer in their lives---this discipline is “where great spiritual battles are often won or lost.” (Tom Elliff)

The believer’s prayer life becomes more organic the more and more we realize that “God is keenly interested in the personal life of the one who is praying.”

The believer’s prayer life has been exampled for us—in Scripture and from those who’ve gone before

It’s been said that James (Jesus’ half-brother) was mocked as “Camel-Knees,” b/c of the callouses on his knees

George Muller—sought God alone for the needs of thousands of orphans. He refused to ask any man for anything, yet his daily diary captured God’s daily, even hourly benevolence and provision

John “praying Hyde” was a missionary to India. His ministry lasted only a few years, but thousands were added to Kingdom of God b/c of the prayers of this man, “who trusted God for on, then two, then three and, before his death, four souls each day.”

(Charles Spurgeon) “If you want that splendid power in prayer, you must remain in loving, living, lasting, conscious, practical, abiding union with the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Drawing to God requires us to deal with unconfessed and hidden sins

The unclean person, those with unconfessed and hidden sin(s) will find it difficult to draw near to God

The person whose heart is divided, impure, and wavering finds it hard to draw near to God

You cannot expect a holy and righteous God to allow you to draw near if you are not entrusting Him with your sin—b/c a heart that is full of sin and darkness cannot rightly draw near to Him.

You may think, “God knows the sin on my heart and in my life, so what’s the big deal?” God can forgive and cleanse you from your sin—BUT only if you repent and give it to Him.

So, what are we to understand and do:

You must purify your heart and quit wavering between devotion to God and being friends with the world

A person cannot have divided loyalty b/t God and the world—God does not allow it

A person must guard their heart from allowing the thorns of this world to co-exist with their faith

(Fifth) Believers also are given a promise

Remember, Simeon’s life is a example of one’s closeness to God. The more he gave himself to studying God’s Word, prayer, and obedience, the more closer he walked with God and was given the promise of seeing and holding the Messiah

We must see then, as we give more of ourselves to the study of God’s Word, the more we give of ourselves to knownig God, the more intimate our walk with the Lord will be and the more He will give us the desires of our heart

There’s a uniqueness in this that is Biblically backed up:

The more we give of ourselves to know God, the more our hearts will desire to know Him—and those become the desires of our heart, over the things of this world

The more we give of ourselves to know Him, the more of Himself He gives to us

Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.”)

II. (v.28-33) What Simeon believed in embracing the Messiah, is what we must see as we embrace the cross

Luke 2:28–33 “he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.”

The song Simeon broke out into is known as “Nunc Dimittis”

The song is described as, “one of the most moving of the canticles in Scripture. It combines the quiet, intimate confidence of a humble and faithful servant of God with a bold and comprehensive summary of God’s purposes for all the world and for all of history” (Thomas Forrest Kelly—American Musiologist and graduate/scholar from Harvard)

The song is Simeon’s faithful and devout tribute of his recogntion of the Lord Jesus Christ and the purpose for which He came

The Child was God’s salvation

He was to be the source of peace for the world

The Child was the One appointed to be God’s salvation

The Child, God’s salvation was prepared for all people

The Child was to the be light to the Gentiles (the unbelievers of the world)

The Child was to be the glory of Israel (true believers)

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION—You and ME)

People today—believers today—must see Christ the way Simeon saw Him:

Jesus Christ is the means/mode/message of salvation

1 John 1:1–5 “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.”

1 John 3:23–24 “And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.”

Jesu Christ is the One appointed by God to bring salvation—there is no other way to God—no other means of salvation

Acts 2:23 “Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;”

Matthew 10:32““Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.”

1 John 4:15 “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” The

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is for ANY person, regardless of who they are, where there from, or what they’ve done (God is not prejudiced, nor does he show partiality, and nor does he show favortism)

Acts 10:34 “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.”

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

Romans 2:11 “For there is no partiality with God.”

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

Jesus Christ is the light to those in darkness—the unbelievers in this world

In simple words—Jesus came to be the Revelation of God—to show us the way to God

John 8:12 “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.””

Jesus Christ is the glory of all those who are believers, b/c

Believers are justified

Isaiah 45:25 “In the Lord all the descendants of Israel Shall be justified, and shall glory.’ ””

Believers are saved to live with God forever

Isaiah 60:15 ““Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, So that no one went through you, I will make you an eternal excellence, A joy of many generations.”

Isaiah 60:18–19“Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, Neither wasting nor destruction within your borders; But you shall call your walls Salvation, And your gates Praise. “The sun shall no longer be your light by day, Nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you; But the Lord will be to you an everlasting light, And your God your glory.”

In the context of Simeon’s song—think of how this would have encouraged Joseph and Mary, in what they already endured and been through and what they were yet to go through

In the application of Simeon’s song—think of the encouragment this gives believers and the promises made to unbelievers if they would repent and believe on the name of Jesus Christ?!?

III. (v.34) The message of Christ still causes many to stumble today, as it did and would during His earthly ministry and the early church

Luke 2:34 “Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against”

(CONTEXT)

Scripture teaches us that Christ would be the “stone of stumbling,” and the “chief cornerstone.”

Many would stumble as His message; they choose their own way and would not

Notice/look to Him

Study/prefer Him

Choose/believe in Him

Trust in Him for salvation

1 Corinthians 1:23 “but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,”

1 Peter 2:7–8 “Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.”

Many would rise b/c of Him, instead of choosing their own way, they WOULD

Notice/look to Him

Study/prefer Him

Choose/believe in Him

Trust in Him for salvation

1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

1 Corinthians 1:24 “but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”

1 Peter 2:4–5 “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION—You and Me)

Mark 8:27–29 “Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?” So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.””

This is the single most important question a person has to answer

Is Jesus a stumbling block to your way of living? Or,

Is Jesus the Chief Cornerstone on which you place your faith, trust, and life in?

IV. (v.34-35) Simeon’s understanding of Christ needs to be our understanding of Christ

Luke 2:34–35 “Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.””

(CONTEXT)

Simeon saw what so many rejected and refused to see in his day—that the Messiah, God’s only begotten Son—was born to die—His purpose in life was death on a cross

Simeon realized the message Christ brought would cause division—some men would run away in defiance, while others would surrender to the grace offered by God through Christ

Simeon knew that Christ’s death would pierce His mother’s heart

Simeon knew, however, the death of Christ on the cross would reveal the true hearts of man

(CLOSING/WORSHIP is our (BIBLICAL APPLICATION—YOU AND ME)

What Simeon knew would happen through Christ—has been accomplished through Christ

The truth of Jesus Christ and the message the cross declares causes a person to react one of two ways:

To the first way (the one person)—the cross stands as an offense/a stumbling block/and an interference. —the way to eternal life Why?

To this person—they only want

A god they can put in their pocket

A god that brings law and morality and order to society

A god that allows them to live as they desire—not one who demands self-denial and obedience

A god of indulging love—not sacrificial love (saying it simpler---they want a love that gives them license, rather than the demands of liberty)

This man—when Christ is presented to them, they shutter and react in rejection....b/c the cross makes them accountable, accountable to their sin and accountable to God—and rather than surrender to the “godly sorrow which leads to repentance,” the look upon the cross as repulsive and reject the grace of God

To the second way (the second person)—they see the grace of God in the cross of Christ

This person—sees

Christ as the Lamb of God sent to take away their sins

Christ as the Atoning Sacrifice for their sins

Christ as the Perfect and Righteous substitute for their sins

Christ as the express image of God—in His compassion/grace/mercy/and love—to willingly endure the shame of the cross on their behalf

This person knows, in viewing Christ in the truth of Who He is, sees

Their darkest night can be lit up through the cross

Their dark heart can know revival through the cross

Their darkest deceit cannot handle the truth of the cross

Their darkest despair can be turned to inexpressible joy through the cross

Their darkest fear must flees at the reality of the cross

Their prison wall which seemed unbreakable, crumbles at the truth of the cross

Their chains which bound, hit the ground through the cross

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ draws a line in the sand, so-to-speak.

A person sees either the love of God thru Christ on the cross and surrenders to the grace of God—or a person sees the cross as repulsive and rejects saving grace of God

A person sees either Christ dying for his/her sins and receives the remission/forgiveness of God offered thru the cross of Christ—or a person recoils from the thought of sin within themselves and turns from the forgiveness.

There is love that was poured out on the cross as well as judgment—and if a person would surrender to the love—they would be find the judgement the cross levvies has not been levied on them, but on Christ—and they would know eternal life and salvation.

Are you in need of the saving grace of God and have been (up to this point) rejecting Him, refusing Him, and living to yourself? May I encourage you to know the compassion God has for you, how He knows your hurt, hang-ups, and you brokenness…and has given His Son in order that you might be saved and be held by Him

Are you in need of the sustaining grace of God (as the believer) who’s been struggling to live in light of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection? May I encourage you and remind you that Christ’s blood has remitted you your sins, you have been given a new heart, made into a new creation, and are still held and sustained by His grace

No matter where you are—there is grace at the cross—grace to save the unbeliever, grace to sustain and restore the wayward believer, and grace to keep strengthening and growing those in a season of blessing and growth.

That grace is found in and through Jesus Christ—the Messiah