Responding to Jesus

“Responding to Jesus”

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It’s amazing how we respond when we meet famous or important people.

People will stand in lines, our campout all night to hear certain musicians or bands. Back in the day, girls would faint and pass out when the Beatles or Elvis Pressley performed.

People pull out their cell phones, and try to capture a picture of a famous or powerful person. When you encounter a powerful, famous, talented person you respond in some way.

How should we respond when we encounter the Lord Jesus Christ, the most powerful, wonderful, famous person in the universe?

In this passage this morning were going to meet two people who met Jesus and responded in the way we all ought to respond when we encounter Jesus.

Let me give you the background, and then will meet these two people and learn how we ought to respond to Jesus. Mary and Joseph caring baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem. They are doing this because this is what the Old Testament law taught them they were to do as parents.

God told Moses that the firstborn was to be consecrated, set apart for God’s service.

Jesus was a firstborn and his parents brought him to present him to the Lord, V:22. Mary and Joseph were God fearing, Bible believing parents.

We read about the law of the Lord several times in these verses; Jesus was the son of Abraham, circumcised at eight days old; brought to the Temple and presented to the Lord. Jesus came to fulfill all righteousness by keeping God’s law.

-“When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law”.

Jesus lived a perfect life, he lived in complete obedience to the law of God and the will of God; he did that for our salvation.

Get the picture in your mind; here are Joseph and Mary, and two month old baby Jesus making their way into the temple to offer a sacrifice to God, in obedience to the law.

V:24, they offer to turtledoves, and two young pigeons.

The implication is they could not afford a lamb for a sacrifice, so they sacrifice these birds. The Holy Spirit sets this scene for us; Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus in the temple offering a sacrifice in obedience to the law of God.

And then the Holy Spirit spotlights two people, a man and a woman; and shows us their response to meeting Jesus.

The central figure in the story is the Lord Jesus; and the only reason we read about Simeon and Anna is because of their response to Jesus.

It is their response to Jesus that makes their lives significant; it is their reaction to Jesus that puts their names in the Bible.

V:25-“Behold…

The Holy Spirit turns the spotlight on Simeon and says I want you to check out this man, turn your attention to this man, Simeon. He is such a rare man that you won’t see many like him as long as you live! The way he responded to Jesus is the way we ought to respond to Jesus.

1. Worship Jesus with a Thankful Heart!

V:25-35.

When Jesus was presented at the temple to godly Saints were waiting to receive him, worship him and proclaim him. The first one is this man Simeon; were told something about his spiritual condition in, V:25-26-“Simeon was a just man and about, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he would not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

We don’t know a lot about Simeon’s personal circumstances; the main thing and most important thing was that he was righteous-he was right with God through faith in the promised Messiah. He was waiting in faith for the Messiah who would comfort his people, by bringing salvation. We’re not told how long he had been waiting for the Messiah to come. I can imagine him going to the Temple many days expecting to meet the Messiah being presented by his parents to the Lord.

He knew the one place the Messiah would come would be to the Temple.

-“The Lord whom you seek, shall suddenly come to his temple…

The Holy Spirit had told him in his spirit that he would not die before he met the Messiah.

Then one great day, as Simeon is being led by the Holy Spirit, he meets the one he’d been waiting far, for long time. As Christians, we need to be led by the spirit; when were led by the spirit, will be led the church; it would be led to Jesus! The Bible says walk in the spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. V:27-32-Read.

I can imagine that Jesus parents might have been a little taken back by this older gentleman, coming up with such excitement and taking baby Jesus out of their arms and began to worship and praise God.

Simeon responds to Jesus by worshiping and praising God for sending the Savior/Messiah.

Simeon’s days of waiting were over; he’s holding God’s son, the salvation of Israel and the world in his arms! And he is full of joy and praise as he blesses and worships God!

This morning as Jesus is presented to you as the savior; you need to receive him, not into your arms like Simeon; but receive him into your heart by faith and experience salivation, and joy and worship!

Dear Christian, the source of joy is Jesus! In his presence is fullness of joy!

Notice what Simeon experience because of how he responded to Jesus:

a. Peace for Dying.

V:28-30-“He took him in his arms, and bless God, and said, Lord, now let your servant depart in peace: for my eyes have seen your salvation”.

Simeon experienced a profound peace in his soul as he looked in Jesus face; after all, he was holding in his arms “the Prince of peace”!

He said I’m ready to depart, be dismissed from this life; because my eyes have seen your salvation!

True peace, lasting peace comes only when we, like Simeon, understand that salvation is Jesus Christ, plus nothing!

Please don’t miss what Simeon is telling us: salvation is bound up in a person; and that person is Jesus Christ! Salvation is not found in religion, any religion or denomination. Salvation is not found in good works, or baptism, or creeds; salvation is found in Jesus!

Simeon is looking at Jesus and he says:

V:30-“My eyes have seen your salvation”.

We know that neither Simeon nor anyone else is saved simply by the birth of Jesus. Jesus would live a perfect life, die and atoning death on the cross, and rise from the dead. There is no salvation without the cross and the empty tomb. But Simeon understood that Jesus had come to provide salvation; the child in his arms was not simply part of salvation, but salvation itself. Jesus is all that anyone needs to be saved, and the only one who can save you from your sin!

-“Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved”.

Meeting Jesus Christ gave Simeon peace, and he is ready to die. And friend until you meet Jesus you won’t have peace, and you won’t be ready to die!

Some people believe that this means that Simeon was an old man.

That may be true; but Luke never tells us how old he was. All he tells us is that Simeon had met Jesus, and he was ready to die.

Anyone who has seen Jesus with the eyes of faith is prepared to die; anyone who is not seen him, whether young or old; is not ready to die!

Simeon is not the only one who can say this; I claim them myself;“My eyes have seen your salvation”

As a teenage boy, I looked here and I look there trying to find peace and contentment.

I remember the day that I looked to Jesus Christ in faith, trusted him and he saved my soul, and changed my life! I found peace and satisfaction the day I looked to Jesus! My eyes have seen God salvation! There are some this morning in this room, who have never seen God salvation. Have you seen Jesus by faith? Have you seen him crucified for your sins? Have you seen him raise for your salvation? It is then and only then that you are ready to die! -“If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. Satan blinds people’s eyes to the gospel of Jesus Christ. He doesn’t want you to look, trust, place your faith in Jesus Christ and be saved.

So he blinds the eyes of your mind, so you don’t see or understand that salvation is in Jesus Christ alone.

Two of the things he pulls over your mind to keep you blind is:

· I’m not a bad person, I don’t need to be saved.

· I can work hard, and be good and save myself.

When Simeon met Jesus he experienced, peace for dying. He also experienced:

b. Light for Living.

V:32-“A light to light the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel”.

The baby in Simeon’s arms was not only for Simeon to see, but for everyone. Simeon tells us that God’s salvation is for the whole world.

V:31-“which you have prepared before the face of all people”.

This baby, Jesus is God salvation for all people, Gentile and Jew alike!

This is the basis for our evangelistic outreach around the world; Simeon’s message was that Jesus is God’s salvation for all people! This whole world is covered with darkness through sin, but Jesus has come to dispel the darkness.

To shine the light of salvation in every dark corner of every human heart, and every dark corner of this world!

It is because of Jesus that we have a gospel we can take to all nations and offer to everyone. We can say to people, all people, look, here is salvation, salvation is Jesus Christ, see him, trust him and be saved!

V:34, Mary and Joseph marveled at what Simeon said.

But Simeon’s not finished yet, Simeon begins to prophesy about the future of this child, the Lord Jesus. These words were spoken to Mary, but they’re intended for us as well.

V:34-35-Read.

This is the first time the suffering that Jesus would endure to bring salvation is mentioned in the New Testament.

From the former prophecies of Mary, Zacharias, and the angels, we have learned about the glory and greatness of Jesus. But here we learn that He will also be the object of opposition; Jesus is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which will be spoken against. And Mary is told that a sword will be ran through her own soul. People will despise this baby, reject him, and take their stand against him.

In the end they will nail him to a tree and leave him there to die. That would be the sword that would pierce Mary soul; these words were probably remembered by Mary many times. And when she finally stood at the foot of the cross, she knew that Simeon’s prophecy had come true. The piercing sword what the death of her beloved son on the cross.

Simeon’s prophecy shows from the very beginning, God had a mission for Jesus that required him to suffer and die for sinners.

The crucifixion was not some surprising and unexpected development. But the fulfillment of God’s preordained plan.

Simeon said, V:34-“this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel…

Jesus is not someone you can simply be neutral about; whenever you are faced with Jesus Christ, and hear the gospel preached you will either fall or rise depending on your response! Either you accept Jesus Christ as the son of God, the Savior of the world and rise to new life; or you reject Jesus Christ and fall in unbelief!

Your eternal life will rise or fall depending on what you do with Jesus Christ! You can’t be neutral about Jesus; Jesus said he that’s not with me is against me, there is no middle ground!

Jesus declared that He was the son of God, the Savior of the world; He is either who he says He is; or He was the biggest liar, fraud and deceiver who ever walked on this earth- there is no middle ground!

And there were many in Israel that stumbled and fell over Jesus: -“But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block…

In Jesus day, the religious leaders, the chief priest, the Pharisees, the legalist, the self-righteous, the liberal Sanhedrin’s didn’t believe in Jesus, they all stumble over Him!

Who are the people who fall over Jesus and the gospel today?

People depending on confirmation, baptism, catechism, church membership, sacraments.

When the Bible says; that all of your goodness is filthy rags, and you must be born again; many people stumble over that. There are people who are good, moral people that feel like they do not need to be forgiven. They think they can make it on their own, and they are offended by the idea that salvation comes only through Jesus Christ and his cross. Why would someone else have to die for their sin? And they stumble over the truth of the gospel.

If you refuse to acknowledge that you are a sinner, and that Jesus Christ death on the cross provides salvation; that will be your eternal fall!

If you stand tall in your pride and self-righteousness and refused to admit you’re a sinner and Jesus death on the cross provides salvation; you will fall!

Thank God there is the rising of many…

The way up with God, is down! Will you admit in your heart that you are a fallen sinner?

Will you like the publican in the book of Matthew, that felt he was such a deep, dark Sinner, he went to the Temple and wouldn’t even lift up his head; but beat on his chest and said God be merciful to me a sinner. And the Bible said that man went home justified, forgiven and free!

God cannot lift up someone who has lifted themselves up in pride; thinking they don’t need anything! It is those who know they are sin sick, and down and helpless, who called out for mercy, that Jesus reaches down and lifts up!

You say pastor, I’m the worst sinners you ever met, my heart is so full of lust and wickedness, and I’m past all hope; congratulations you are the perfect candidate for Jesus to save and lift up!

You cannot be neutral about Jesus; what is your response to Jesus?

Are you for him or against him? Will you rise or will you fall? This is the great question of life, because what God will do with us for all eternity, depends on what we do with Jesus right now.

Simeon tells us not only is Jesus set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; but He will also be:

V:34-“a sign spoken against.

Has Jesus been a sign spoken against? Yes he has!

No one has been spoken against like Jesus.

The name of Jesus is blasphemed more than any other name. What did Jesus ever do to have his name used as a curse word? No one smashes their finger in the car door and says, Mohammed. No they take Jesus name in vain.

Jesus is a sign spoken against; everything from upside down crosses, a satanic sign. To upside down fish, with Darwin’s name, advertising evolution over creation.

Why does Jesus name cause such conflict, and division? Because the claims of Christ are exclusive and authoritative; and when people truly understand the claims of Christ they are furious. What Jesus Christ and the Bible says is rejected by the secular mindset in America. All of the world religions are all united in their opposition to Christianity.

There is no one that reveals the condition of the human heart like Jesus, V:35-“the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed”.

The gospel of Jesus Christ reveals the human heart; it is desperately wicked, yet the gospel of Jesus Christ provides the Remedy for our sin sick heart. Which is Salvation through faith in his death and resurrection. Jesus reveals what our hearts are like; that we might fall before him in repentance, and receive grace and salvation. Jesus knocks us down, so He can pick us up!

Simeon teaches us how to respond to Jesus; this morning; worship Jesus with a thankful heart.

Along with Simeon, the Bible puts the spotlight on a woman named Anna; from Anna we learn another response to Jesus.

2. Serve Jesus with a Faithful Heart!

V:36-38.

While Simeon is praising God for the child Jesus; Anna shows up and joins in. Worship and thankfulness characterized Simeon’s life; faithfulness characterized Anna’s life.

The name Anna means grace, and this woman was a perfect picture of what the grace of God does in your life.

Were given more personal details about Anna than we are about Simeon; were told in:

V:36-37-“that she was really old, she had been married for seven years; but she had been a widow for 84 years.

If she had got married at 16, was married 7 years, a widow for 84 years that would make her 107 old.

Here was a lady who had been faithful to God for all those years, through every season of life and every difficulty.

She was faithful to God as a young girl, as a young married lady, she was faithful to God during the death of her husband after only seven years of marriage, and she had been faithful to God for 84 years as a widow.

What a great example of faithfulness to God through every season of life!

What season of life are you in? Are you a young person, or a young married person, or an older married person, or a widow, or what were? Whatever your situation in life; and whatever stage of life you’re in, serve the Lord, live for his glory and be faithful to him.

At 107 years old there were probably a lot of things that Anna could no longer do. But there were several things that she could do, and that she did do!

a. She was Faithful to Pray and Fast!

V:37-“served God with fasting and prayers night and day”

Will you resolve to do that this year? Fasting helps us as we pray because our physical hunger reminds us of our true spiritual need for God. From Anna we learn that fasting is an ordinary part of a healthy spiritual life. Anna was a woman of prayer, she had a special calling of God to pray. And she did this faithfully, V:37-“with fasting and prayers night and day”.

She had a deep spiritual hunger for God; so she was a woman of prayer and fasting.

b. She was Faithful to Attend church!

V:37-“departed not from the temple…

Her deep spiritual hunger for God brought her to the place of worship, where she could sing the songs of God, fellowship with the people of God, and hear the word of God. She had a spiritual appetite for the things of God. She like Simeon was faithful to the place of worship; not for themselves alone, but to encourage others also.

Notice these two senior adults, are around during the time of the presentation of babies. They were there to pray for and encourage young parents, as they brought their children to the house of God.

I’m sure they were very glad that they were there that day to meet this baby!

Let’s not become guilty; of saying, well what they’re doing at church tonight is not for me, I’m not going. Your presence and prayers and encouragement is very important to the young people, young parents and children and the Ministry of Crossway Baptist Church!

c. She was Faithful to Praise the Lord!

V:38-“and she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise under the Lord…

She came up at the very moment that Simeon is holding Jesus in his arms and speaking about Jesus being the Messiah. She recognizes that Jesus is the Savior and begins to thank God, and praise God for sending his son to be the savior of the world!

She and Simeon both had been waiting and praying for the Redeemer, the Savior who would rescue his people by suffering and dying for their sins. It’s a blessed to meet an older person who’s still filled with thanksgiving and praise to God. We must be very careful as we grow older; that hardship and loss doesn’t make us bitter. In old age these two still have joy and hope and a positive spirit, what an example to us. I pray that as you grow older you will become; critical, cynical, bitter, and negative toward life, church, people and God.

Determine like Anna that you will be faithful to praise God until he carries you home.

d. She was Faithful to Tell others about Jesus!

V:38-“she spoke of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem”.

She thanked God for the gift of her salvation in Jesus, then she began to tell other people about Jesus and his redemption. The news was too good for Anna to keep to herself; she had to share with everyone she knew. Her life was all about worship and witness; what is your life all about?

Have you recognized Jesus as your Savior from sin?

If you have, praise God for the free gift of your salvation; speak words about Jesus into the lives of your family and friends so they can trust him to.

Today we see Jesus more clearly than Simeon and Anna did. We see Jesus not only in his birth, but also in his death and resurrection. We also have the Holy Spirit to help us worship Jesus with a thankful heart, and serve Jesus with a faithful heart.

How will you respond to Jesus today? You say;

I’m not going respond at all; yes, we all will respond to Jesus and what we’ve heard about him in some way today.