Go In Peace

Luke 2:22–38 ESV

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. 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.” 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. 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.

The Big Picture- Big God

We are meeting here each Sunday, to worship God. The Sovereign ruler of all things. During this season, we particularly focus on the story of Christmas. The story of God sending His beloved son to this earth as a baby boy.

If we were to take the time to consider the number of seemingly unrelated yet masterfully orchestrated and significant circumstances that must have taken place, in order for the birth of Christ to come about as it did, when it did, it is incredible.

Even more astonishing, is the fact that so many of the circumstances surrounding Christ’s birth were actually foretold many years prior to His coming to be born as a baby.

His virgin birth

His lineage of the line of King David, and also Rahab

The place of His birth, in Bethlehem, when that is not where His parents lived, which also meant they were in close proximity to Jerusalem, and were able to present Him at the temple of God there.

What an amazing God we know and serve and worship today. His miraculous work and His eternal and personal presence in our lives is such a blessing and encouragement to us, especially as we take time this season to rejoice over the first Advent of Jesus Christ.

The Little Picture- Loving God

Last Sunday we looked at a portion of Luke 1, and we were able to identify the hope what we have in Jesus Christ, and we were able to see this from the account of God’s work in the life of Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth, who were given a son, who they named John, which would be the forerunner of Jesus Christ.

God broke His silence, that spanned 400 years, to speak to an ordinary man, Zechariah, as he was performing his priestly duty in the temple of God.

As born again believers, who have accepted God’s gift of salvation, we are God’s children. As His children, we await Christ’s second advent and we can wait expectantly, looking forward with Hope to Christ coming again, to receive us unto Himself, and to establish His Kingdom in all its fullness.

This morning on the 2nd Sunday of advent, we are considering the PEACE of God, which too is a result of Christ’s work.

Specifically, we are going to focus on verses 25-32 of Luke 2.

The story, which we read in Luke 2 just a few moments ago, of Christ being presented at the temple, is an account which we can learn a great deal from.

In particular there are 5 things that I believe we can learn from the man named Simeon as he interacted with Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus (Savior). The first three of which are found in

Luke 2:25 ESV

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.

Righteous and devout

Righteous/Just- He kept God’s commandments by faith as he placed his trust in God, believing that His ways are best.

Devout- cautious, circumspect, prudent, discreet, cautious

Waiting for the consolation of Israel

Waiting- patiently awaiting with faith, hope and assurance.

Consolation- This is the same word that Christ used to describe the work of the Holy Spirit in John 14:25-26

Simeon was awaiting the coming of God’s helper, comforter and savior.

The Holy Spirit was upon Him

a. The Holy Spirit- God the Comforter, Counselor

b. Was upon Him- the Holy Spirit had not been sent in the same way that it was on the Day of Pentecost but He had revealed to Simeon that he would not die, until he had seen the Messiah (God’s Anointed One) but Simeon was counseled and guided and directed by the Holy Spirit, which allowed him to know that Jesus was, and is God’s Anointed One, The Messiah, the salvation of the World.

Blessed God

Luke 2:28 ESV

28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

Imagine this situation. Imagine being Simeon for a minute. What would that be like? To know that you had been lead by the Holy Spirit to go to the temple, and there you would see the Messiah, the Lord God’s Anointed One. What would it have been like to take the incarnate Son of God into your arms and thank God for Him.

5. Able to depart in peace

Peace- rest, contentment like Paul describes in Phil 4:10-13

The source of Simeon’s peace and contentment (Luke 2:30-32)

God’s Salvation has appeared

God’s light to Israel

God’s glory to the Gentiles

Imagine this event. A elderly, righteous and devout man is led by the Holy Spirit to the temple of God and was blessed with the gift of peace and comfort, as he saw the consolation of Israel, the Messiah, the Savior, the light of Israel and glory of God, in the newborn baby, Jesus. Here we see, God incarnate, the Creator, Life-giver, Miracle working, all powerful, infallible, everlasting, all knowing God, being picked up and held by this man Simeon.

Think about that for a minute with me. In the Old Testament, when the angel of the Lord appeared, what was the usual response? Seeing the Lord, induced fear. People would fall on their faces. But here, Simeon is given the privilege of holding God incarnate in his arms.

Acts 2:1–4 ESV

1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The Spirit was then poured out on the believers in Samaria in Acts 8 and on the Gentiles in Acts 10.

As believers we are also baptized by the Holy Spirit at the time of our redemption and salvation. Oh, that the Lord would come again, that we might see Him face to face in our redeemed bodies on the New Earth, that is something I long for.

The knowledge that Christ came to earth as an infant and has died, was buried and that He rose again, is enough to grant us peace, but to know that He has also promised to come again and to receive us unto Himself, gives us hope and peace that is beyond human understanding. It is a peace that we have, by the work of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, please help us to learn from this small yet significant event, in the life of Simeon, as he saw the Christ child.

Lord, help us to live in righteousness, devoted and committed to do your will. Guide us in your ways

Help us Father, by your Spirit to wait patiently, but expectantly for your return. We want to see your Kingdom come and your will be done.

We ask that you would fill us with your Spirit. Cleanse us from the sin and selfishness that would quench His work in our lives. Give us ears to hear and hearts to obey your Word and help us to be sensitive to the leading of your Holy Spirit, who grants us Peace and Comfort as we await to stand in your presence and see you face to face. We want to behold you, and we thank you Father for giving us this time together this morning to gaze upon your Goodness and to rest in your Peace. Will you, by your great mercy, allow us to depart in Peace this morning?