The Fullness of Time

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Luke 2:22–40 NIV

22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” 33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” 36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

Simeon

Luke 2:25–26 NIV

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.

His attitude was one of expectation. He was being patient and leaving room for God to act. He wasn’t trying to make it happen or manipulating things.

By his manner of life, he was saying, “We may have to wait, but it will be worth it!”

Anna

Luke 2:36–37 NIV

36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

Faithfulness sometimes seems boring or meaningless. How many people might have walked past her barely noticing, never considering that she would be remembered forever? Faithfulness makes amazing things possible for you and others!

Mary & Joseph

God confirms

Luke 2:22–24 NIV

22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

They were in motion, doing what they knew to do

Faith = Trust Trust over the long haul. But also trust in the moment to let God lead.

Simeon wasn’t just patient, he was also obedient in a timely way...

Luke 2:27–33 NIV

27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” 33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.

Anna was also in step with the Spirit

Luke 2:38 NIV

38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

And so in one powerful moment: an old man saw the deepest longings of his heart fulfilled, a faithful prophet widow was written into history. And a faithful young couple seeking God’s will were comforted and prepared for what lay ahead. This is why every church needs to reach multiple generations. It brings together the faithful experience of the saints with the earnest seeking of a new generation.

But there was really even more happening here. God was demonstrating his long-term faithfulness. It was a long arc of faithfulness, justice and love. It reached all the way back to the garden of eden, through Moses and the children of Israel, through kings and prophets and exile. It involved raising up God’s people, raising up and bringing down empires. It came down to this handful of people through whom God was saving the world!

Galatians 4:4–7 NIV

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

We are part of a much larger story. Christmas is not just about the moment we show on Christmas cards and lawn ornaments. We humble ourselves in the presence of this story. We seek to find our place in it as we join the faithful in following Jesus into his glorious future. We leave our past idols behind and embrace what it means to be fully human, bearing God’s image in the world. Patiently waiting for his Kingdom to come, seeing to it that his will is done on earth as it is in heaven.

You & Me

Have you been waiting for God to speak?

Have you been praying for years?

Are you trusting God and hoping for direction?