Something to Belong To

Luke 2:21–51 HCSB

21 When the eight days were completed for His circumcision, He was named Jesus —the name given by the angel before He was conceived. 22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord ) 24 and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons ). 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 complex. 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 slave 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.” 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 84 years. She did not leave the temple complex, 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. 39 When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on Him. 41 Every year His parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. 42 When He was 12 years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival. 43 After those days were over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents did not know it. 44 Assuming He was in the traveling party, they went a day’s journey. Then they began looking for Him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. 46 After three days, they found Him in the temple complex sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all those who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers. 48 When His parents saw Him, they were astonished, and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.” 49 “Why were you searching for Me?” He asked them. “Didn’t you know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what He said to them. 51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart.

1. Security

2. Volition (Will)

3. Attention (Give and Receive)

4. Emotional Connection (intamacy)

5. Connected to a wider community

6. Privacy

7. Status (place in the larger group, VALUE)

8. Achievement (competence)

9. Meaning and Higher purpose.

Maslow’s Hierarchy.

Group Needs.

Have Something to Belong to

Aching Human need to feel as if they belong to something.

Maslow’s Hierarchy Of Needs.

30,0000 foot view…

The Book of Luke and all the gospels are written to the community.

Mary and Joseph Took Jesus to be a part of His community. 21-22

They Made the effort to belong.

41. They Traveled every year to the Passover festival.

21-22 There were mechanisms in place to identify with the community and culture.

25. They Honored the Old. ( They understood the value of older, devout people who could see the value in a moment.) Youth often misses this.

38. The Old Blessed the Young.

The Community helps to shape your Identity. 41-50 (trip to Jerusalem)

36-38 They Passed forward the Message. (Jesus was the one they had been waiting for. The message had been proclaimed before today the message had arrived.

Jesus participated in the Community

They all came around something in common.

A successful community identity has something that brings them all together regardless of their small differences.

For the Jew it has always been their unique identity as God’s people.

AND WHAT THEY LOOKED FORWARD TO.

1. Israel’s Consolation

Luke 2:25 HCSB

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.

25. Comforting one who is in sorrow. The relief of this miserable existence.

25. Comforting one who is in sorrow. The relief of this miserable existence.

WHAT DID THAT LOOK LIKE?

A Savior, The Messiah Would Come

Luke 2:29–31 HCSB

29 Now, Master, You can dismiss Your slave in peace, as You promised. 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation. 31 You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples—

2: 29-31

2. Worldwide Proclamation

Luke 2:32 HCSB

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to Your people Israel.

Luke 2:38 HCSB

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.

32….38

lk 2

32….38

3. Clear Revelation…

of the difference between what is good and evil.

33-34

Luke 2:33–34 HCSB

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 —

The clear truth of Character will be revealed, by the presence of Jesus.

Now His word and testimony is revealing that.

And Continued Instruction

Luke 2:38 HCSB

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 came along and continued to pass on the message and clarify what people were seeing that day. Spreading hope. Good news evangelism

Anna came along and continued to pass on the message and clarify what people were seeing that day. Spreading hope. Good news evangelism

Implications for us?

1. Make the effort to be a part of your community

2. Participate in your community rituals, and tools that shape your identity.

2. Participate in your community rituals, and tools that shape your identity.

3. Honor the wisdom in your community.

4. Pass forward the message of hope you have from your community

5. Bless the youth of your community.

they are foolish but you know

6. Identify and understand the central part of your community

You Have consolation in Jesus Hope Comfort.

You need to clearly understand and communicate the message.

Find Wise Counsel, older than you and heed it.