God’s Glorious Revelation:

Has God ever revealed himself to you? How did God save you? Was it by someone sharing the gospel with you? A revival meeting? Reading Scripture?

When God saved you, did you find the Scriptures come alive for you? Moments where the AHA moment struck you? How about when you could tell that God prompted you to pray for someone? These are ways that God reveals himself to his people.

Have you ever wondered why someone would love you? Why does your spouse put up with your bad habits? Why does mom and dad keep forgiving you for disobeying? Why does your best friend continue to love you in spite of your flaws?

I have a friend like that. In the early 2,000’s my life was double speak. I said I believed but acted in a different way. This compromised life was good for our friendship as he at best was as agnostic. But when God truly converted me in 2005, everything changed. I wasn’t perfect but I stopped compromising. He couldn’t figure me out. We are still friends but there is now a clear lifestyle difference.

Maybe we can think it is because of our good personality and good looks. Or because we cook good food or make good money. Maybe it is that we have things in common and that binds us together. Or that since I am your child, you are stuck with me.

But if we were to be brutally honest, if those around us could see the thoughts of our hearts like on a big screen tv, how many people would like to hang out with us?

Well for God, he does see everything. There is nothing good in us as everything is tainted by sin. So why would God want anything to do with us? This is what I would like you to ponder as we look at today’s text.

In our text today, there were righteous Jews who had waited for centuries for the promised Saviour to come to rescue Israel. Many died in waiting but they did not lose hope. 400+ years of silence did not damper the expectancy of Simeon and Anna. Two faithful old believers that anticipated the revealing of their Messiah King.

What happened to me? Salvation came in Jesus Christ and made me a new creation. He brought life to my soul where before it was dead and hardened towards God. My supposed faith was a belief in a Jesus of my own mind, not one of the bible. God revealed himself to me in the Scriptures as I studied them.

There were righteous Jews who had waited for centuries for the promised Saviour to come to rescue Israel. Many died in waiting but they did not lose hope. 400+ years of silence did not damper the expectancy of Simeon and Anna. Two old believers that anticipated the coming Messiah King.

Let us see how God’s glorious revelation helps us to understand why he would save any of us.

This day when Joseph, Mary and Jesus enter the temple in Jerusalem their hopes would become reality. (What is the point of God’s revelation to you? What do you expect God to reveal of himself to you?)

Point #1 - God’s Saviour saves his people.

Revelation of God brings light into the darkness. The gospel changes us forever. The gospel brings glory to God in the highest.

Revelation of God brings light...

Point #1 - Revelation of God is seen.

Luke writes to Theophilus this gospel so that he would have confidence in what he was taught orally. Luke’s inspired account of the events concerning Jesus have been miraculous as we have seen so far. But for the most part, the news hadn’t travelled that far from Bethlehem. There was no internet of TV broadcasting.

God spoke the law to Moses for how his people were to live as the people of a holy God. He wrote the law so that future generations would know how to observe them. The law was given to expose God’s people to their sinfulness as law breakers. Sacrifices of animals were given to atone for their sin, but also point to the future Saviour who would cleanse sinners once and for all by his death on their behalf.

From last week, Jesus got circumcised and now Mary and Joseph head to Jerusalem with their son Jesus. The quietness of their life is about to hit the grand stage of the City of God.

God spoke the law to Moses for how his people were to live as a holy people. Moses wrote the law so that future generations would know how to observe them. The law was given to expose God’s people to their sinfulness as law breakers. Sacrifices of animals were given to atone for their sin. This would also point to the future Saviour who would cleanse sinners once and for all by his death on their behalf.

These new parents were pious Jews and so for 40 days after the birth of a male child the mother is unclean and needs to offer a sacrifice for her uncleanness according to . So by Luke saying that they came for their purification, it is likely that since Joseph helped with the birth he was also unclean.

These parents dedicate Jesus to the Lord as the first born and because they were poor, they offered a couple of birds instead of a lamb. This is why they have come to Jerusalem.

God spoke also to the prophets for them to pass on to Israel. These were written down so that future generations would have a history of God’s warnings as well as the hope of redeeming them forever.

Simeon enters the scene. A righteous and devout man. A common Jew who loved God in the midst of a very dark time in Israel who were steeped in legalism and hypocrisy.

We see also that God speaks through the prophet’s word that were written. Simeon enters the scene. A righteous and devout man. A common Jew who loved God in the midst of a very dark time in Israel who were steeped in hypocrisy.

Luke tells us that Simeon was waiting patiently for the consolation of Israel. Meaning he was waiting for the coming salvation that was promised long ago by the prophet

[9] It will be said on that day,

[9] It will be said on that day,

“Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.

This is the LORD; we have waited for him;

let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

Simeon also quotes later in (34) when referring to later in Jesus life as the stumbling stone that the Jews would trip over.

Next we read how the Spirit of God, which the 3rd person of the Triune God reveals himself to Simeon. He tells him that he will not die until he sees the Lord’s Christ (26).

Point #2 - The Holy Spirit reveals God’s Saviour to Simeon.

Simeon’s patience of continual prayer for the coming Messiah is blessed by God. The Holy Spirit in this passage is very active. The Spirit of God tells Simeon that he will not die until he sees the Lord’s Christ (26).

Simeon enters the temple in Jerusalem. His patience in waiting on the Lord to reveal the salvation of the Jews is now at hand. Mary, Joseph and Jesus enter the temple as well to dedicate him to God.

We can assume that since the Spirit was upon this righteous man, God revealed to him that this 40 day old baby was in fact the long awaited Saviour. This well aged Simeon takes the child, lifts him up like a King that he is and blesses God.

This well aged Simeon takes the child, lifts him up like a King that he is and blesses God. Now he can die in peace because his eyes have seen God’s salvation for sinful men, women and children.

Now he can die in peace because his eyes have seen God’s salvation for sinful men, women and children.

Jesus is the long awaited plan of redemption that God had hidden in his infinite mind. Simeon’s faith had become sight. What God made known to the prophets centuries earlier happened just as God according to his word. Jesus is revealed as God in the flesh. This is a big deal since God is Spirit.

Now we need to take some time to learn more about who Jesus is as God in the flesh.

We have discussed often this month about the incarnation of God. Since God is spirit he is invisible. But in the birth of Jesus, this is God in the flesh that is now seen.

states “He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”

Jesus is the third way Luke gives us in how God reveals himself in the incarnation of God.

states “He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”

[3] He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power...

[8] Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” [9] Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father...

[18] No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. (ESV)

[8] Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” [9] Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (ESV)

These statements about Jesus in the NT reveal for us that this 40 day old child in the arms of Simeon is in fact the salvation of sinners. He is the light for revelation to the Gentiles. He is the glory of Israel as the true Son of God.

. He is the light for revelation to the Gentiles. He is the glory of Israel as the true Son of God.

He is God manifested in the flesh of man.

Well, in now seeing how God’s revelation shows us who the Saviour is, let us now see what God’s revelation has to say about sinful man.

Point #2 - God reveals what is in the heart.

In (33) Mary and Joseph marvel at what Simeon has spoken about their son. The last year or so has been one miracle after another. Now in this temple in the City of God this old man speaks of their son as the long awaited Messiah. They are truly amazed at what is said, but the blessing is about to take a somber tone.

This

God’s revelation for Mary.

The scene now shifts back to Joseph, Mary and Jesus.

The Holy Spirit prompts Simeon (34) to bless these parents of Jesus, but then he talks directly to Mary. Most believe that the reason he does this is because Joseph dies before Jesus starts his earthly ministry.

Simeon reveals for Mary what having God’s son will mean for her. Her child will grow up and be the cornerstone that Israel will stumble over and reject. But he will also be the Saviour who will lift up the sinner from his condemnation. His gospel message of putting faith in Him as God’s Son who takes away the sin of the world will be opposed by the unbelieving Jews wherever he goes.

Isn’t this the son of a carpenter? He casts out demons by Beelzebub. Can anything good come from Nazareth?

Her child will grow up and be the cornerstone that Israel will stumble over and reject. But he will also be the Saviour who will lift up the sinner from his condemnation. His gospel message of putting faith in Him as God’s Son who takes away the sin of the world will be opposed by the spiritual elites in the synagogues.

There will be great jubilation in seeing the healings of sickness, miracles of raising the dead, demons cast out and sinners forgiven of sin. But there will be much pain and difficulty for her as Simeon tells her that her heart will feel as though a sword will pierce it. During her son’s ministry, this will happen repeatedly especially as she sees her son beaten to a pulp and crucified like a common criminal on that cross at Calvary.

Jesus will reveal the thoughts of the hearts of sinners because he is glorious light.

Walking in the Light

There will be great jubilation in seeing the healings of sickness, miracles of raising the dead, demons cast out and sinners forgiven of sin. But there will be much pain and difficulty for her as Simeon tells her that her heart will feel as though a sword will pierce it. During her son’s ministry, this will happen repeatedly especially as she sees her son beaten to a pulp and crucified like a common criminal on that cross at Calvary.

[5] This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

With God, nothing is hidden from him. The world will hate Jesus and reject him as their Saviour. The righteous will love him for saving them from sin. It’s debt as well as its power or dominion.

[5] This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (ESV)The world will hate Jesus and reject him as their Saviour. The righteous will love him for saving them from sin. It’s debt as well as its power or dominion.

We see a positive example of a heart that is righteous in the prophetess Anna.

Like Simeon, she is quite old but this does not stop her from serving her Lord. Luke gives some details that she was of the tribe Asher which was one of the lost ten tribes of Israel. She lost her husband early on in life. As a widow, she never remarried and dedicated herself to coming to the temple to worship her God.

We don’t know what it would be like to wait centuries for a promised Saviour. But for those who were waiting patiently for this day, you could imagine their response. Anna, like Simeon is quite old but this does not stop her from serving her Lord. Luke gives some details that she was of the tribe Asher which was one of the lost ten tribes of Israel. She lost her husband early on in life. As a widow, she never remarried and dedicated herself to coming to the temple to worship her God with fasting and praying continually.

For decades she fasted and prayed waiting for the coming Messiah.

God providentially brings her to the temple at that very hour that all this is happening. Somehow, she is made aware that the long awaited Saviour has come. This caused her to begin thanking God for answering prayer.

There were others who also were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem just like her. So she speaks to them all about this Jesus who was the long anticipated Messiah King. He has come!!!

s there were those who also were waiting for the coming Messiah King. As a prophetess who God would speak through, we are not told that someone gave her the details so quite possibly the Spirit gave her instructions just like Simeon that salvation had come to the temple that very day.

In (39,40) we are told by Luke that when everything was completed according to God’s Law, they returned to Nazareth. Jesus grew up strong, filled with wisdom and with God’s favour.

As I asked in my introduction, what does God revealing himself in Jesus tell us about God? He loves his children.

Point #4 - Why does God reveal himself to us?

As a good God that our heavenly Father is, he doesn’t just want us to know about him from afar like an estranged parent. He loves his people and his chief desire is for us to know him. He doesn’t leave a note on the fridge giving laws to obey. He doesn’t give a history lesson on his accomplishments just for them being facts.

In making a way for sinners to be saved from the debt of sin, it shows his eternal love that he chose us before the creation. By sending his Son, to live righteously, to die in our place and resurrected unto life reveals for us that God truly loves us. As enemies of God, he extended mercy that was underserved. He gave saving grace as a gift so that we would believe in this Jesus and receive forgiveness of sins.

As a good God that our heavenly Father is, he doesn’t just want us to know about him from afar like an estranged parent. He loves his people and his chief desire is for us to know him. He doesn’t leave a note on the fridge giving laws to obey. He doesn’t give a history lesson on his accomplishments just for them being facts.

In response to this great love, he gives careful instruction in his word how we are to live. As he is holy, we are to be holy. We don’t obey so that he will love us, he already loves us. We obey because we are grateful for the mercy we received.

As we have seen, Jesus exposes what is in the heart. If you have not trusted in Christ as your Saviour, you still have the debt of death hanging over your head. Guilty of high treason toward God our Creator. If God has convicted you of your sin, do not delay. Look to Jesus and plead with him to have mercy and forgive you. He will do this for you.

Then like all who are truly born of God, live in accordance to who you now really are. Love God and love one another out of gratitude. Tell others about Jesus. Disciple and encourage one another to the glory of God. This is why God has revealed himself to us in Jesus. Let us give thanks to God and worship!

If you have not trusted in Christ as your Saviour, you still have the debt of death hanging over your head. Guilty of high treason toward God our Creator. If God has convicted you of your sin, do not delay. Look to Jesus and plead with him to have mercy and forgive you. He will do this for you. Then like all who are truly born of God live in accordance to who they now really are. We love God and one another out of gratitude. Like Anna we thank God and tell others about Jesus. We disciple and encourage one another to the glory of God.

God spoke the law to Moses for how his people were to live as a holy people. Moses wrote the law so that future generations would know how to observe them. The law was given to expose God’s people to their sinfulness as law breakers. Sacrifices of animals were given to atone for their sin. This would also point to the future Saviour who would cleanse sinners once and for all by his death on their behalf.

What God promises, he will deliver for his people. So in the prophets they speak of hope in a coming Saviour. Simeon and Anna believe God. Although there has been over 400 years of silence they do not give up hope in the coming Messiah.

Purity. Mary and Joseph desired to be pure, but could not without the shedding of blood.

Dedication. They knew that God gives children so their act of gratitude is dedicating their 1st born son to God.

Here Simeon reveals for Mary what having God’s son will mean for her. There will be great jubilation in seeing the healings of sickness, miracles of raising the dead, demons cast out and sinners forgiven of sin. But there will be much pain and difficulty for her as Simeon tells her that her heart will feel as though a sword will pierce it. This will happen repeatedly especially as she sees her son beaten to a pulp and crucified like a common criminal on that cross at Calvary.

Her child will grow up and be the cornerstone that Israel will stumble over and reject. But he will also be the Saviour who will lift up the sinner from his condemnation. His gospel message of putting faith in Him as God’s Son who takes away the sin of the world will be opposed by the spiritual elites in the synagogues.

But through this good news the thoughts of the hearts of sinners will be revealed. The world will hate Jesus and the righteous will love him for saving them from sin. It’s debt as well as its power or dominion.

God wants fellowship with humanity. A Saviour who would redeem his people was given in his own Son. Simeon saw salvation in the flesh and blessed God.

Next on the scene is this prophetess Anna. Like Simeon she is quite old but this does not stop her from serving her Lord. Luke gives some details that she was of the tribe Asher which was one of the lost ten tribes of Israel. She lost her husband early on in life. As a widow, she never remarried and dedicated herself to coming to the temple to worship her God with fasting and praying continually.

God lets us know that being a Christian is not just peaches and cream. The road of the forgiven saint is a difficult one. As the world hates Jesus, it will also hate you. But take heart, Jesus has overcome sin and death.

God wants us to tell others about Jesus just like Anna. The promised Saviour has come, so let us evangelize our family and friends through the gospel which is Jesus. This way more people will worship our God and find peace in their souls.

As God’s favour was upon Jesus, it is also upon all who are born of God. He gives his resurrection power to us so that we overcome sin and bring glory to God.

No matter what your age is, your life is the Lord’s. His blood has purchased you. Often times it is in your later years when you may not be able to work in ministry but all can pray and interceded for others. So let all of us use our time wisely.

God again providentially brings her to the temple at that very hour that all this is happening. She began thanking God and speaking to all about Jesus, as there were those who also were waiting for the coming Messiah King. As a prophetess who God would speak through, we are not told that someone gave her the details so quite possibly the Spirit gave her instructions just like Simeon that salvation had come to the temple that very day.

Point #3 - God in the flesh is revealed.

states “He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”

[3] He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, (ESV)

[18] No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. (ESV)

These statements about Jesus in the NT reveal for us that this 40 day old child is in fact the salvation that Simeon has seen. He is the light for revelation to the Gentiles. He is the glory of Israel as the true Son of God.

He is the baby who grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom with favour of God upon him (40).

So how does this