Luke 2:22-40

How are we supposed to react when we’re in a season of waiting?

Reaction to uncertainty

Job security

Future after graduation

a time of waiting can feel like an eternity even if only a 2 month period

Do we trust God?

Are we even in a place where we would be able to recognize when God moves?

Our reaction when faced with uncertainty or unanswered questions tells a lot about our faith in God, in his promises, in his plans

Our Three Questions

What does it say?

Authorial intent to intended audience

What does it mean?

Timeless theological truth

How does it apply?

Landing it in our lives

The Text - Luke 2:22-40

Luke 2:22–40 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. 39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

Luke 2:22–24 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.”

Reference to Mosaic law regarding purity and uncleanness following childbirth in Lev. 12

The proper offering would have been a lamb, but for those who couldn’t afford a lamb two pigeons or turtle doves would do.

Exodus 13: God’s command to redeem the firstborn sons of every Jew

Jesus was raised by poor parents who remained faithful to God’s law

What does God value vs. what does society value?

Luke 2:25–27 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. 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,

Simeon likely very old, average guy

“righteous and devout”

Righteous: walked rightly with God and with man

Devout: careful about his religious duties

waiting for the consolation of Israel

Jews waiting 400 years since they last heard from God

Throughout these 400 years hardship came; Roman rule and subjugation just one example

Everyone was waiting for the Messiah to come

For Simeon, he could’ve been waiting a long time as he rejoices that he is allowed to die

Holy spirit upon him

Holy Spirit is mentioned three times in these three verses

Simeon’s presence in the temple God’s doing, not his own

God made a promise to Simeon, a promise that we’ll see in the next few verses that He would keep

Luke 2:28–32 ESV

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.”

Simeon blesses God for:

Fulfilling his promises

Jesus as salvation

for all people

The LORD’s salvation is identified as being prepared in the presence of all peoples (affirmation of God’s love for all people groups, not just Israel)

Isaiah 9:2

Isaiah 9:2 ESV

2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

glory for Israel

connects to 2:34

Luke 2:33–35 ESV

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.”

Mary and Joseph in awe at what was said

Simeon blessed Jesus parents in the same way that he blessed God

BEHOLD means THIS IS IMPORTANT

Jesus’ ministry will be divisive

the cost of discipleship will be steep

Luke 2:36–38 ESV

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.

Anna is a true member of the nation of Israel, a descendant from one of the tribes

84 is old even now so imagine how old she would’ve seemed in the first century

Devout in her practice, like Simeon

Spreads the gospel

Shows how Jesus is still connected to the Jewish people

movement from the old era, into the era of God’s Kingdom

Simeon and Anna were waiting for the first coming of Christ, while we are waiting for the second coming

Luke 2:39–40 ESV

39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

Further emphasizes Jesus’ parents dedication to God and his commandments

Jesus grows up, matures, and is being prepared for his ministry in obedience to God

What does it mean?

The Jewish people were waiting for a long time

Simeon and Anna are good examples of that waiting

They waited faithfully on God to move

Waiting properly is difficult

Faithful waiting leads to:

Expectancy Psalms 5:3

O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

Hope Psalms 33:20

Our souls wait for the Lord, he is our help and shield

Trust Isaiah 8:17

I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him.

Patience Romans 8:24-25

Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes in what he sees? But if we hope in what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

In those periods of waiting, when it feels like God has hid his face, it is very important to grow impatient, to grow hostile and touchy, to doubt in God

Simeon and Anna show the fruit of the spirit

Remaining expectant, hopeful, trusting, and patient even when you don’t comes next, when you can’t see or hear God is one of the hardest challenges you’ll have in your spiritual walk but it leads to the most growth

Important to have the spirit at all times so you can recognize when God does show up

Simeon’s expectations vs. Reality

Faithful despite his expectations

Anna proclaimed the gospel once she saw the Messiah

God’s timing and methods won’t always be the same as the timing and methods that we want, but they will always be better than our own timing and methods

The proper response when we do see God work is to turn praise back to him and to tell the people around you about how God has shown up in your life

God loves you and wants to use you despite your circumstances

God chooses to use Mary and Joseph despite their poverty

Faithfulness is more important than wealth

God chooses to use Simeon and Anna despite their age

Devotion to God is more important than youth

Jesus came to save people of all nations out of love

God’s desire for you transcends racial, ethnic, and cultural boundaries

Don’t let what you see as a setback be a hindrance to God’s working in your life

Prayer