Understanding His Faithfulness
Notes
Transcript
Recognition of that Faithfulness
Recognition of that Faithfulness
ILLUST: Stay on this road - you can’t miss it
You’ll know it when you see it
It can be difficult to be patient…especially when you know it’s going to be amazing!
READ Luke 2:21-38
Joseph and Mary, Simeon, Anna
1) Offering the Sacrifice
1) Offering the Sacrifice
Joseph and Mary’s obedience shows their faith in their faithful God
He had set forth His law for their good, to draw them to Him
Back story: It had been 400 years since God spoke to His people through a prophet, Malachi
JTB is born a few months ahead of Messiah
Yahweh is now speaking to them again, in-person!
First, Jesus is circumcised and named - day 8
Then, His dedication
Luke quotes the law
you shall devote to the Lord the first offspring of every womb, and the first offspring of every beast that you own; the males belong to the Lord.
Dedication of the child requires a sacrifice
The offering/sacrifice presented indicates their poverty
‘But if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two young pigeons, the one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’ ”
This dedication coincides with Mary’s “purification” - so she presents it
She would have placed her hands on the sacrifice while it was killed, and then the other was a burnt offering
Placing her hands on the sacrifice was symbolic of her sinfulness being the cause for the death of this sacrifice
Obedience to the Law - showed their faithfulness
Their sacrifice - given, knowing that God is faithful
And…dedication of a child, a baby, is really about the parents dedication to raising the child faithful to God
2) Waiting for Messiah
2) Waiting for Messiah
SIMEON
Simeon - in the temple when Jesus is presented
He had been waiting for this moment, having been promised he would see Messiah
What was he truly waiting for? He knows the prophecies, puts it together
(a few of them here)
The Lord has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations.
The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them.
The Lord has bared His holy arm In the sight of all the nations, That all the ends of the earth may see The salvation of our God.
Any of the faithful in Israel should have been waiting (many likely were) - Simeon is just particularly eager
What was he waiting for? Messiah? Sorta, yeah, but bigger picture?
He is waiting for: “the consolation of Israel”
He is waiting for the salvation of the people
Consolation = comfort, encouragement, especially after disappointment
Consolation brings hope and strength
Mankind being sinful is the disappointment
And Yahweh is consoling, by providing deliverance
And…Like Mary placing her hands on the sacrifice
Simeon knows that sin is the reason for the arrival of this Messiah - his sin as well
God did not leave them helpless, but came back to His people
“Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of hosts.
The LORD came to the temple - and Simeon rejoices
HE BLESSES GOD! (Nobody else mattered)
ANNA
In the temple daily, and long-time widow
Thankful, speaking of Jesus to anyone who would hear, anyone looking for the same redemption that was promised
3) The Response
3) The Response
…to His faithfulness
Speaking the Word, the Truth
Luke 2:31–32 “Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.””
Simeon declares what the LORD has done
“I am the Lord, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations,
“He says…I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
He HAD to share this news
But…good news is not always “good”
Jesus would suffer, Mary would suffer
ALL OF THIS TOGETHER
Joseph and Mary were taught well, learned well, and now pass that along in raising Jesus
(WE next see Him in temple at age 12…)
Simeon and Anna
When shown His faithfulness, they respond with His Word and thanksgiving, not containing their joy
That was them, what about us?
1) Offering our sacrifice
1) Offering our sacrifice
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
What do you have to sacrifice? Money, time, effort, priorities?
YOU! Present yourself, surrendered to Him
Your sacrifice to Him says you trust His sacrifice for you
Knowing it is YOUR sin that required His death
His death allowed your faith.
His death demands your death to the old ways, working to kill the old self
And His resurrection guarantees yours!
He did his part - You do yours
We do ours
2) Waiting for Messiah
2) Waiting for Messiah
Wait on the Lord
Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
To wait = to patiently trust, to actively trust - NOT be idle, just the opposite
Be in service for Him until He returns
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains.
You KNOW He is coming
Just as Simeon did
Jesus told us to keep busy in His service while we wait
When He comes, we’ll know it - there is no doubt
3) Our Response
3) Our Response
(to His faithfulness)
Bless God!
What else matters?
Thank God!
Tell, proclaim
Continue to speak of Him
WHY?
There are still many who need redemption
Many are looking for it in the wrong places
Many need reminders that they need reconciliation
Beg people - be reconciled to God
You say you know Jesus
If we asked others who know you, would they say you did?
We are not Simeon or Anna
But there is no mistaking that their lives were DEFINED by their love of God!
Would that be said of you and me?
God has promised us eternal life with our trust in Him, our repentance and surrender
Trust in that promise demands:
Our sacrificial lives, surrendered to Him
Waiting, patiently and actively serving Him
And lives of responding with praise and blessing of our great Savior!
Your life should praise the King
Mine, too.
