Continue the Joy

The Long Awaited Savior

Two individuals knew who Christ was, shocking both Mary and Joseph. Read about them in Luke 2:25-35 and Luke 2:36-38. Reflect on their excitement and statements of a redemptive Christ. 1) Both Simeon (‘sim-E-un’) and Anna emphasized themes of redemption. Christ’s introduction to earth is inherently linked to the redemption of the Created back to God. Think of how many other aspects of religion and faith are commonly pushed to the forefront of church and believers. Which of these things are aligned with themes of ‘redemption’? How many of them seem related to ‘something else’? 2) How can focusing on other ‘Jesus themed’ facets of religious prevent us experiencing the true Joy offered through the cross?

Jesus’ nature was known to many, even when it was not totally understood by Joseph and Mary. We see this in a couple interactions which occur after Jesus’ birth.

Simeon

Luke 2:25–35 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. 33 His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed—35 and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Simeon has long-awaited the coming of Christ which he prophetically knew was coming.

Simeon is praise to God, the father (Yahweh), using references to Isaiah

Simeon awaited the ‘consolation of Israel’ (v 25) and states that what he sees in Jesus is “your (God’s) salvation” (v 30)

Mary and Joseph appear off-guard about others prophesying about their son

This is extremely relatable. A lot of religious people talk about faith as if it is 1-dimensional, but it very much exists on a spectrum in so many we see in the Bible. Mary and Joseph undoubtedly had faith, but even they were taken off-guard when they heard others praise God for their son. It provided external/third-party validation of something they knew in their heart.

This is why sharing our faith, our blessings, and our faith journey is so critical. Yes, maybe everyone at church is “already a Christian” or you may feel what is happening in your life is personal, but that personal way that God touched you may be a boom to someone else’s faith.

Anna

Simeon wasn’t the only one with foreknowledge of Christ...

Luke 2:36–38 CSB

36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. 38 At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Anna also appeared to have foreknowledge of Christ the savior

Anna was a prophetess which (contextually) means she also received communication/epiphanies from God. Sometimes prophetess means the wife of a prophet, but here she appears to be a prophet (#GirlPower)

Upon experiencing Christ, she immediately began telling others of the ‘redemption of Jerusalem’. (v38)

The Redemption Connection

Both Simeon and Anna knew who Christ was to be and the role He played. They both spoke to the redemption nature of Christ.

How ironic that at the end of December, we politely put baby Jesus back in his storage compartment until the next holiday season while flocking to secular ideas of “resolutions” and “New Year, New Me”.

Christmas should bleed into the beginning of our New Year as the true symbol of God’s redemption. It is through Christ that we experience true, everlasting renewal which isn’t dependent on something as silly as an annual holiday or our own frail willpower.

New Creations

When John the Baptist began his ministry, he proclaimed a simple message which reflected the redemptive nature of Christ: be baptized and be made new.

Luke 3:3–6 CSB

3 He went into all the vicinity of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight! 5 Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be made low; the crooked will become straight, the rough ways smooth, 6 and everyone will see the salvation of God.

John quotes from Isaiah 40:3-5

Clear messages of renewal and redemption: Make the crooked straight and the rough smooth

This call is relevant to us today: Our God is not speculative… He’s ACTIVE.

God wants to be a renewal in your life.

Rather than the normal question/answer, take a moment to think of all the things you pray for or where you desire God more in your life.

Think of the flaws, insecurities, imperfections, trivial or otherwise, which may be burdening you.

Now listen to the exact scripture John is referencing and really listen to this is more than just a Bible lesson… listen to it as God’s promise.

Isaiah 40:3–31 (CSB)

3 A voice of one crying out:

Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. 4 Every valley will be lifted up, and every mountain and hill will be leveled; the uneven ground will become smooth and the rough places, a plain. 5 And the glory of the Lord will appear, and all humanity together will see it, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. 6 A voice was saying, “Cry out!” Another said, “What should I cry out?” “All humanity is grass, and all its goodness is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flowers fade when the breath of the Lord blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God remains forever.” 9 Zion, herald of good news, go up on a high mountain. Jerusalem, herald of good news, raise your voice loudly. Raise it, do not be afraid! Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” 10 See, the Lord God comes with strength, and his power establishes his rule. His wages are with him, and his reward accompanies him. 11 He protects his flock like a shepherd; he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them in the fold of his garment. He gently leads those that are nursing. 12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand? Who has gathered the dust of the earth in a measure or weighed the mountains on a balance and the hills on the scales? 13 Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or who gave him counsel? 14 Who did he consult? Who gave him understanding and taught him the paths of justice? Who taught him knowledge and showed him the way of understanding? 15 Look, the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are considered as a speck of dust on the scales; he lifts up the islands like fine dust. 16 Lebanon’s cedars are not enough for fuel, or its animals enough for a burnt offering. 17 All the nations are as nothing before him; they are considered by him as empty nothingness. 18 With whom will you compare God? What likeness will you set up for comparison with him? 19 An idol?—something that a smelter casts and a metalworker plates with gold and makes silver chains for? 20 A poor person contributes wood for a pedestal that will not rot. He looks for a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not fall over. 21 Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not considered the foundations of the earth? 22 God is enthroned above the circle of the earth; its inhabitants are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like thin cloth and spreads them out like a tent to live in. 23 He reduces princes to nothing and makes judges of the earth like a wasteland. 24 They are barely planted, barely sown, their stem hardly takes root in the ground when he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind carries them away like stubble. 25 “To whom will you compare me, or who is my equal?” asks the Holy One. 26 Look up and see! Who created these? He brings out the stars by number; he calls all of them by name. Because of his great power and strength, not one of them is missing. 27 Jacob, why do you say, and Israel, why do you assert, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my claim is ignored by my God”? 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the whole earth. He never becomes faint or weary; there is no limit to his understanding. 29 He gives strength to the faint and strengthens the powerless. 30 Youths may become faint and weary, and young men stumble and fall, 31 but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint.

Challenge

This year, in what will you place your trust?

If you desire renewal, it has already been bought. If you desire forgiveness, it has already been secured. If you desire strength, it has already been won.

Let this year be the year of your recreation into something more beautiful than anything of the world’s making or of your own hard work.

I invite you to choose Christ, let this be your invitation, and turn to a life renewed.