God's Salvation in Jesus Christ
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Since the 2008 Batman movie, The Dark Knight, a new quote has surfaced and made its way across the internet. Referring to a character in the movie, the quote says, “He’s not the hero we deserved, but he is the hero we needed.”
It’s a simple idea. Someone steps onto the seen and solves a crisis, that’s why he was needed. But the people he helped didn’t really deserve the service.
The saying has gained all kinds of popularity
You can find on pictures of anyone’s favorite political figure. Bernie Sanders, “He’s not the hero we deserved, but he’s the hero we needed.” Or Donald Trump, “He’s not the hero we deserved, be he’s the hero we needed.”
Not the hero we deserve, but the hero we need
Political Figures,
You might find some pictures on Facebook. Maybe a picture of someones pet Cat, wearing a blanket as a cape, “He’s not the hero we deserved, but he’s the hero we needed.” Silly right?
It also gets shared with videos and pictures of good samaritans. I saw a video of a guy saving a girl from oncoming traffic, and “He’s not the hero we deserved, be he’s the hero we needed.”
With the super bowl tonight, you might find a few articles, Tom Brady, “He’s not the hero we deserved, be he’s the hero we needed.”
It’s kind of a silly thing to do. For the most part, it has just contributed to the mass of useless things to get posted on the internet. It’s something to laugh at.
Transition
23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 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. 27 And he came in 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, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
But I want to pose this morning, that there is something redeemable about the quote. Something worth taking to heart. Could it not be said, and be true, Jesus of Nazareth, “He’s not the hero we deserved, be he’s the hero we needed.”
You see as we move through these beginning chapters of Luke’s gospel, in a way, that’s been his burden. For us to know that we need Jesus. That he is our Savior. And that we didn’t deserve him. As James preached a few weeks ago, salvation is given “because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high.” Jesus visitation is God’s mercy to those who believe.
Our text today will continue this message, but give it more shape. Luke wants us to see that God’s salvation has been revealed through Jesus and that Jesus as he lived, seeing the cross in his future, was steadfast to God’s redemptive plan, and he invites us to respond to it.
And how you respond to it makes all the difference in the world. So I invite you to listen in today. Hear these words. Listen to the scriptures and consider your response to God’s Salvation.
Let’s Pray
I. The Recognition of God’s Salvation in Jesus through Faithful Jews (2:21-38)
I. The Recognition of God’s Salvation in Jesus through Faithful Jews (2:21-38)
Abstract: Luke is revealing God’s salvation to the world through Jesus, the Messiah. It is the faithful Jews that obey the law and anticipate Israel’s redemption who will take note of and rejoice at Jesus arrival. There will be those who oppose Jesus, hypocrites who will have their secret deeds uncovered.
If you’ll take a look with me for a moment at your outlines you’ll notice that we have two major divisions in our text. Really we are looking at two different time periods in the life of Christ.
Our first section, running from verses 21-38, is an account of Jesus as an infant, and a trip his family made to Jerusalem in order to obey God’s law that had been handed down to them.
???First, an account of the context for their trip, really why they were going. And second, an encounter they had while their with two prophets.
But as we walk through this text, I just want to say up front, our focal point is not really what Jesus’ parents do (that they make this trip, or that they offer sacrifices), but it’s why they do it. Their responses to God’s law, and even the prophets response to seeing Jesus, is based on the hope of a salvation that comes from God, an anticipation of Israel’s redemption.
This text focuses on God’s plan of Salvation and how it’s realized through, or we might say, brought to fruition through Jesus.
So let’s open up our Bibles’s and read at .
21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
A. The Faith of Jesus’ Parents: (21-24, 39)
Two Fulfillments of the Angelic Announcement
Now there is a lot here. A lot that is related to the context Luke and a lot that has to do with being a Jew. But what we can see right on the surface is that this is a faithful, Jewish family.
They’re doing things by the book. That is, they are doing all the things that the Law of the Lord would have required of them after giving birth to a firstborn son.
But Luke’s burden here is not merely to paint Jesus’ parents as good people. Though the scriptures do paint them as good people. Luke’s burden here is to highlight Jesus as God’s Salvation. And the way that he highlights Jesus as God’s Salvation is by fulfilling things about Jesus spoken to Mary by Gabriel in Luke chapter 1. Things that affirm Jesus to be Savior.
Just listen as I read two verses from chapter 1, or look over if you’ve got your bibles open.
31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.
So three things, you shall call his name Jesus, he will be called holy, and the Son of God.
So as the law required, after 8 days, they circumcise the baby, and behold, they name him Jesus, which appropriately carries a meaning like Yahweh saves, or the LORD saves. And the first of the angels announcements are fulfilled.
So verse 21, you
But again, following the law as faithful Jews, our text continues and we find Jesus’ family making a trek to Jerusalem. We know from the scriptures this would have been sometime around 40 days after the birth. But they make the trip to Jerusalem, really, in order that they might satisfy two things.
And the first is that they might present the baby Jesus to the Lord. The scriptures teach us from that firstborn children were to be consecrated to the Lord as a reminder to the people that God was faithful to bring them out of captivity in Egypt. But when we say consecrated we are talking about setting something apart as holy, and Luke explains that to us...
23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”)
And with that we see a second fulfillment of Gabriel’s angelic announcement. You shall call his name Jesus, and he will be called holy.
And though this is really just background information and setting the stage for Luke’s overall message about Jesus, this is
1. His name shall be Jesus (21)
And we find here in this first section of text the fulfillment of these first two announcements.
So as the law required, after 8 days, they circumcise the baby, and behold, they name him Jesus, which appropriately carries a meaning like Yahweh saves, or the LORD saves. And the first of the angels announcements are fulfilled.
2. He will be called holy (22-24)
But again, following the law as faithful Jews, our text continues and we find Jesus’ family making a trek to Jerusalem. We know from the scriptures this would have been sometime around 40 days after the birth. But they make the trip to Jerusalem, really, in order that they might satisfy two things.
And the first is that they might present the baby Jesus to the Lord. The scriptures teach us from that firstborn children were to be consecrated, or set apart as holy, to the Lord as a reminder to the people that God was faithful to bring them out of captivity in Egypt. Its a reminder of the 10th plague that God used to free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”)
As Gabriel announced in chapter 1, You shall call his name Jesus, and he will be called holy.
And though this is really just background information and setting the stage for Luke’s overall message about Jesus, this is wildly exciting.... (explain) Usual story, but extraoridnary happenings.
???
They also made this trip to Jerusalem because Mary herself, after having a son would have been declared unclean for a time and would need to offer a sacrifice for her purification. tells us that this sacrifice would have been a lamb and either a turtledove or a pigeon, but it made an exception for the poor who didn’t have a lamb. They could bring either 2 turtledoves or 2 pigeons. And so we see Mary bring these, to also make offering for herself. Perhaps Luke here is revealing to us that Jesus’ family would have been on the poor side, which might further serve to present them as faithful and humble.
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
B. The Faith of Simeon and Anna: (25-38)
Two Testimonies of God’s Salvation in Jesus
Shoudl I transition>?
B. The Faith of Simeon and Anna: (25-38)
Two Testimonies of God’s Salvation in Jesus
So its in that context that they make their way to Jerusalem and as we’ll read they go the temple and while at the temple they meet two people. So let’s go ahead and read about the first of these encounters beginning in verse 25.
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 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.
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 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. 27 And he came in 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, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
It’s important to notice that in both encounters, with Simeon and then also with Anna, Luke labors to show that these would have been credible witnesses. Like Jesus parents, they also were faithful Jews. And how they respond to Jesus is important.
They were pious people, giving themselves over to the Lord’s service, and both of them are represented as longing for Israel’s redemption. They are also both presented as being endowed with the Spirit. With Simeon, the Holy Spirit was upon him, and Anna, a prophetess.
Listen to how Anna is introduced in 36 and 37.
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.
Like Simeon, shes faithful and devout. Having dedicated herself to fasting and prayer at the temple.
She painted as a faithful devought. not looking to get remarried but deidcated to the lord.
What I’m getting at here is that their reactions to Jesus of which we are about to read are not some kind of fake or forced reaction.
You know most of the time you look at someone else’s baby right after they are born, they are really never as cute to you as they are to the parents. And often, newborns just aren’t that cute yet. It takes a couple of weeks for them to develop those cute little cheeks, and smiles, and reactions, but when you see their little baby you still say, “He is sooo cute.” or “She is so cute.” It’s kind of a socially forced reaction. You can’t tell someone their baby looks weird.
This is not like that, Simeon and Anna, . It’s like seeing someone they’ve long expected and long loved. It’s more like being in the delivery room and seeing your own child for the first time. Their hearts are full and full of joy at the sight of this baby.
So Lets read their reactions...
1. The Testimony of Simeon (25-35)
27 And he came in 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, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
Simeon responds in joy! Having been promised in verse 26 that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah, he must have been waking up every day in anticipation that this just might be the day when he sees the Lord’s Christ. And here it is, the long awaited day, like the birth of your child or seeing a long lost friend, he takes the baby boy into his arms and blesses God!
28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
27 And he came in 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, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
Luke 27-35
Simeon responds in joy! Having been promised in verse 26 that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah, he must have been waking up every day in anticipation that this just might be the day when he sees the Lord’s Christ. And here it is, the long awaited day, like the birth of your child, (or like a…) He takes the baby boy into his arms and blesses God!
He say’s “for my eyes have seen your salvation, prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel!”
And with those words he’s invoking a number of texts spanning from to , texts that speak of a glorious redemption, not only for the Jews, but for the whole world, texts that speak of Jesus Christ and his role in God’s Redemptive Purpose to bring salvation to the world!
Simeon is full of joy not just at a baby, but what that baby will do.
You see this is a major burden of Luke in his gospel. Not only has God sent his son to save his people the Jews, some of whom have been long anticipating his arrival, but now through Simeon under the influence of the Spirit it is being made known that Jesus will be salvation for the whole world.
As one pastor has said it, like a sunrise visits the night, when it pierces through the darkness to shine light upon the land, thus Jesus will pierce through the darkness that lies over the whole world, bringing revelation of himself to all people.
2. The Testimony of Anna (36-38)
And we see Anna responding in kind in verse 38.
two people awaiting and by gods spirit recognize Jesus
38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.
21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
And Jesus’ parents are blown away at what’s being said about their baby! Can you imagine? Our little Jesus is God’s salvation. A light to gentiles? Glory to Israel?
And Jesus’ parents are blown away at what’s being said about their baby! Our little Jesus is God’s salvation. A light to gentiles? Glory to Israel?
Someday, your boy is gonna be a pastor. I’m never wrong about these things.
Verse 33.
Slow down towards the ned.
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
But while Mary is marveling, Simeon also gives her a more troubling report. Jesus, is not only appointed for the rising(inflection) of many in Israel, but also for a sign that is to be opposed, for the fall(inflection) of many of Israel. Now I don’t think this is brand new news for her. Mary has already sang praise to God back in chapter 1 that God has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate.
But Simeon’s news might be bringing it a little closer to home for the first time. It’s not simply those outside of Israel who God is going to humble, who will oppose him, but it’s also those inside Israel. And Mary in some sense is also going to feel the effect of this division that is Jesus ushering in.
But for those who do oppose(inflect with expose) him, their hearts will be exposed. What looked true, but wasn’t will be brought to light. All this is going to happen Mary, on account of your little baby boy.
disspointment of seeing that all the vhs are empty.
II. The Resolve of God’s Son, Jesus, for God’s Redemptive Plan (2:40-52)
II. The Resolve of God’s Son, Jesus, for God’s Redemptive Plan (2:40-52)
Abstract: Not only is God’s Plan for salvation realized in Jesus, but portrays Jesus as completely committed to his Father’s purpose. Even greater than familial ties is his resolve for God and his work.
A. The Growth of Jesus Toward His Father’s Plans (40, 52)
And with that well move to the second set of verses, 40-52. Where our first section recognizes the coming of God’s Salvation in Jesus this section shows Jesus resolve to accomplish God’s Salvation.
Verse 40
40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
You’ll notice that with verse 52, this text is fenced in.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
Jesus as a boy had understanding of God and favor with God and he grew in these. And its as he grows in these that his resolve to do his Father’s will grows. This occasion of Jesus in the temple will put that before us.
This great understanding of God and the favor of God which Jesus was a recipient of will lead us towards Luke’s meaning in this next section of text. Jesus’ even as a young boy, was totally committed to God’s Redemptive Purpose. That is, he was prepared to go to the cross.
B. The Determination of Jesus for His Father’s Plans (41-51)
Let’s look at it. Read with me verses 41-51.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
And so here we find in the last half of our text a second trip made by Jesus’ family to Jerusalem. Jesus is 12 years old, and as was customary they made a trip down to Jerusalem from Nazareth for the Feast of Passover. And at the end of the week, Mary and Joseph, traveling with some relatives and acquaintances pack up and begin heading back to Nazareth.
(change voice inquisitive)
You know that feeling you get when your driving to the airport and your thinking, ya know, I know I forgot to pack something? Well, Mary and Joseph happened to forget something. After about a days journey they realize Jesus is missing, and when they don’t find him among their caravan of people they head back to Jerusalem to find him.
Now, we shouldn’t be quick to pass any kind of judgement on them from this text as if its 2016 and Jesus just fell into a gorilla enclosure. There are likely all kinds of cultural factors that play into something like this happening that we just simply won’t understand. And the point is not so much that Jesus was left behind, but that Jesus of his own accord stayed behind.
So Mary and Joseph search for him for three days under great distress. Being a father I can’t imagine the kind of torment I would be under if my daughter was missing for four days. But behold they find him in the temple, with teachers of the law, asking them questions, and amazing them with his understanding. And Mary and Joseph are again astonished, and question Jesus over his disappearance.
(Slow)
And Jesus replies in verse 49 with..
49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
It’s the first red letters you’ll find in Luke’s gospel. Really it’s the earliest recorded words of Jesus out of all four Gospel’s.
It might also be read, “Did you not know that I must be about the things of my Father?”
The KJ Bible reads..
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
And their are some interpretive decisions to be made. What is it that Jesus ‘must be about’? I think the simplest reading might be to simply say that Jesus must be about the “things” of his Father.
This 12 year old boy, filled with all kinds of understanding and living under God’s favor, God’s grace, has just identified himself as the Son of God, and that he is devoted to the things that his Father is devoted too.
And what is God devoted too is the exaltation of his son, Jesus, as the focal point of Salvation for the world.
Jesus is committed to and has resolved to fulfill his Father’s plans. Thats whats hes saying here.
And this isn’t in rebellion to his earthly parents. He isn’t rejecting their authority or place in his life, in fact he leaves now to go back with them to Nazareth and is submissive to them. But he is placing a primacy for God’s service in his life as he will later in the gospel.
19 Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. 20 And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” 21 But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
Luke 8:
III. How Should You Respond? Two Responses to God’s Salvation
III. How Should You Respond? Two Responses to God’s Salvation
Following Jesus
So what does this all mean for us? Our text tells us Mary and Joseph didn’t understood these things, but that Mary treasured, or kept, all these things up in her heart. I think this means that she took these things, things she didn’t fully understand, yet things that are totally significant, and she began to wrestle with them. To ponder them. To dwell on them.
Just as Mary responded this text today is also presenting you with an opportunity to respond. To grapple with the notion that Jesus Christ is God’s Salvation to the world, and the only salvation, and a needed salvation. And to ponder the notion that Jesus committed himself to accomplish it. It was no small task.
You see your sin deserved a punishment. You may be here today and not realize it, but unless you know Christ, you’ve been been walking under a looming judgement. A judgement for your rejection of God. All the little white lies to all the big secret sins, you’ve been storing up wrath for yourself. The wrath of God. Who can imagine it?
And Jesus Christ, a little 12 year old boy, growing in wisdom and understanding and in God’s grace, grew in his understanding and his resolve, to die upon a cross and receive that wrath upon himself for all who might believe in him. For everyone who might humble himself or humble herself. Everyone who might see them-self poor and in need of redemption. Everyone who would reach out to Jesus, to plead with him, to call out to him, crying out to him, that he might save them from the judgement to come, and forgive them for the longstanding sin in their life.
In our text this morning you can actually find two kinds of responses to Jesus message.
A. The Response of Foretold Opposition
Don’t hear this message of Jesus and respond like his foretold opposition. Don’t take the prophesied response. The response of the opposers. God has set his wrath upon sinners.
In this message of God’s salvation, salvation implies something you must be saved from. And ultimately that is God himself who has set his wrath upon you for your sin.
1 In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.
Maybe you think your fine. The fact that your sins are secret has given you some sort of false assurance that you have nothing to worry about. "Ive got nothing to worry about now..”
No one knows the thoughts you dream up about women who aren’t your spouse.
No one knows the self-control issues with money, and satisfying your flesh with earthly treasures.
No one knows that you lie all the time, because you’re good at it.
No one knows how angry you are at home with your spouse, or kids, or perhaps even in your own head.
And you think your ok.
But the day is coming. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed. Through Jesus, the thoughts from many hearts will be revealed. Hearts that shut him out and opposed his message. They will be exposed and judged.
extreme
Jesus is the hero you didn’t deserve, but he is the hero you need. Don’t let that message pass you by like another insignificant Facebook post, but take it to heart. Repent and believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ!
B. The Response of Faithful Jews: Absolute Joy
Many of you here this morning undoubtedly do believe in the Lord Jesus. How might you respond to this word? Can I challenge you this morning?
In our text today, Simeon and Anna, saw just a small small glimpse of the God’s salvation. Really they just got a taste of what is to come. They just saw happened to see a baby, and under the prompting of the Spirit knew that this baby would be the fulfillment of scriptures written long before.
But here we are, here you are on the other side of redemption. Jesus has done it. He has paid it all. And your life has surely been a testimony of that work. The worldwide expansion of the church is surely a testimony of that work.
Can I challenge you with a comparison? In our text today, Simeon and Anna, saw just a small small glimpse of the God’s salvation.
I. How does their joy at his first coming compare to our joy at his second coming
????????????????????
When you read this scripture this morning, does it fill you with joy, or is it just another time to listen to that Jesus story? Does it cause you to rejoice, when you think about Jesus work, or have you grown a little numb to its impact?
You it’s still a reminder to us of a salvation that is set in motion. A salvation that we are longing for. A day when sin is no more. Where there will be no more mourning or crying or pain anymore. A glorious meeting with this Savior, Jesus. A face to face encounter where we will be transformed into his likeness.
Take these things and ponder them in your heart. Consider what Christ has done for you. Ask him stir your heart again to have that kind of abundant joy that comes from knowing and seeing the Savior.
Let’s Pray
