Ok, Now What?

Introduction:

A few minutes after the 1st movement of Christmas presents out from underneath the Christmas tree the living room was filled with piles of precious plunder and a prodigious amount of tort wrapping paper. On the face of the children you can see a look that is best interpreted as "okay what do I do now". This morning, now that Christmas is over for another year, I want to examine what those who witnessed the unwrapping of the greatest gift ever given did after that amazing night.

React (vv. 17-20)

Spread the Word

Luke 2:17 (NIV84) When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child

They became a witness to what they saw.

They shared God's word that was given to them.

Luke 2:11 (CSB) Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

Luke 2:14 (CSB) Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!

Segue, next we see the reaction of one to whom they witnessed. Mary, A poor young girl who best be overwhelmed. About 9 months ago an Angel said something amazing which, at the time, was easier to accept than it would be well holding an infant in her arms knowing that it was God himself.

Store and Weigh

In reaction to these overwhelming events Scripture tells us that Mary did two things:

She (seen-tae-rhow) συντηρέωb: to exert mental effort in storing information so as to have continual access and use of it—‘to cause oneself to be fully aware of, to keep in mind, to remember.’

Translated as "treasured up", kept, and in the message holding them dear. All of these indicate she knew that the things she was seeing and hearing were very valuable. It also seems to indicate that she was unable to process them at the time!

In reference to these treasured things we are told she (sym-Ball-low) them ἐπιβάλλωe: to give careful consideration to various implications of an issue—‘to reflect on, to think about seriously, to think deeply about.’

To think deeply about because she knows of their value. I think as a culture and society we have become overwhelmed by information. Amazingly enough 90% of the data in the world today has been created in the last two years. This data comes from everywhere: sensors used to gather shopper information, posts to social media sites, digital pictures and videos, purchase transaction, and cell phone GPS signals to name a few. This data is big data. The estimate is 2.5 Quintilian bytes of data created every day. This would be approximately 54 railroad boxcars full of Encyclopaedia Britannica.Because of this there is not much we treasure or ponder upon because we've convinced ourselves we can always Google it.

Segue, what happens when humans recognize the value of what they've been told and see the very promises of God played out before them? They cannot help but worship!

Start to Worship

Luke 2:20 (NIV84) The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Three things worthy of our attention concerning the behavior of the shepherds:

They returned. This is the final action in a wonderful example set by the shepherds. First, they heard the word of God is given to them by the Angels in the field. Second, the word of God motivated them to action which in turn verified what they were told. Third, the reality of what they were told motivated them to share it with others. And now they returned to Jesus glorifying and praising God.

Scripture tells us there are two reasons they are glorifying and praising God. The first being all the things they have seen and heard. The second is that all the things they've seen and heard our confirmation that God keeps his promises!

Segue, for Mary, if the story ended here, she could move on with her life forever basking in the warm glow of shepherds praising, Angels dancing, and a special star off in the distance! But the world doesn't work like that and neither does God. In God's world everything changes and yet stays the same when we receive Jesus.

Receive (vv. 21-24)

As Proposed

Scripture tells us that Mary and Joseph Luke 2:21 (ESV) 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. There are two important things for us to notice in this.

The first is that, in keeping with the law, Jesus was circumcised at the end of the eighth day. This is important because we often forget that Jesus came to fulfill the law not eliminate the law. This is an example how those who have received Christ should be obedient to the covenant laws under which they live is God's people.

The second thing we notice is that Mary and Joseph called him Jesus as God's messenger told them God desired for them to do. This is an example of how those who receive Christ should, in addition to that which we have already mentioned, should be obedient to what God's will is for them!

As Presented

Scripture tells us that Mary and Joseph, (Luke 2:22–23 (CSB)) 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 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord).

According to Exodus 13, God asked that all firstborn males be presented to Him for consecration as a reminder of the deliverance He provided Israel from Egyptian bondage. I love it when parents ask to dedicate their children. It is a very meaningful service and one that should not be taken lightly. In doing it we acknowledge that our children belong to God and that we are the stewards of their lives. That, if taken seriously, is an overwhelming responsibility and part of the dedication service is seeking the assistance of God in his people to raise them up in the nurtured and admonition of the Lord.

As Prescribed

Verse 24 we notice that not only do they dedicate Jesus back to the Lord but they offer up the sacrifices prescribed by the law.

Their obedience to this law and their response to this law gives us insight into the family into which God sent his Son. Leviticus 12 tells us that the mother, when presenting her son to the Lord, she should present a Lamb. 12:8 tells us that if she cannot afford a lamp she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons. Jesus was not only born in a dirty stable with a borrowed manger for a bed but into a family without the financial means to present a Lamb to the Lord. Jesus was placed in the family with no special qualities or conditions only obedience and faith so that through him we can find a place in God's family though we lack special qualities or conditions but have obedience and faith.

Segue, when Jesus is received as as proposed and presented as prescribed in the last part of our Scripture were examining this morning we see the result.

Result (vv. 25-33)

Received Praisefully

Great Story: Luke 2:25–32 (CSB) 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. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. 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, Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said, Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised. For my eyes have seen your salvation. You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples— a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel.

Never narrow the scope of Jesus’ Incarnation… it is God’s answer to the promise of many. The Shepherds, Mary & Joseph, and now Simeon, whose name means obedient!

Great story. He was promised. Guided by the Spirit he entered the temple.

Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said, Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised. For my eyes have seen your salvation. You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples— a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel.

Segue, God, having fulfilled His promise to Simeon, now uses him to deliver prophecy

Resulting Prophecy

Not a cheerful Prophecy: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel” (2:34). Peter wrote that to those who believe, Jesus is precious, but to those who reject Him He is “a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall” (1 Pet. 2:7–8). The destiny of individuals will be determined by their acceptance or rejection of Jesus.

Next a prophetic word to Mary: A sword will pierce your own soul too (Luke 2:35). Mary is being told she would experience intense sorrow years later as she watched nails driven through her Sons hands and feet, and then a spear thrust into His side.

Segue, After this bad news comes good news

Redemption Proclamation

Luke 2:36-38 (NIV84) There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 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.

So