The Birth Of Salvation And Redemption

By the time we get to the birth of Jesus, we know where the Messiah will be born, that He will be born of a virgin, and that He will be God in the flesh.

We know the story.

An angel tells Mary and Joseph what will take place.

They travel to Bethlehem because of a tax census, proving that God is sovereign even over rulers who do not believe in Him.

Jesus is born and angels proclaim His birth!

Shepherds travel to visit Him.

Today, we are going to focus, not on the birth, but on the testimony of who this child was and is.

Look with me now at v. 21 as we see the setting for our passage.

READ vv. 21-24

Luke 2:21–24 NKJV

21 And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who 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.”

There are several things we learn here.

1 - Mary and Joseph were obedient.

We already know this from how they responded to the angel, but here is further proof.

They were told to name the child Jesus, and so they did.

They also followed the Jewish law in regards to circumcision, Mary’s purification, and the presentation of the firstborn son.

2 - Mary and Joseph were poor.

The offering they give is the one described for those too poor to have a lamb.

3 - Mary and Joseph were self-sacrificing.

It was no small thing for this little family to travel to Jerusalem for the dedication.

This is the setting for what is about to take place.

Principle:

At Christmas it is imperative that we understand what we are celebrating.

Guidance:

To understand what we celebrate at Christmas we make three observations.

Outcome:

These observations ensure that we celebrate Christmas for what it really is.

Three observations to help us celebrate Christmas.

Observation #1. Christmas is about…

1. Seeing God’s Salvation vv. 25-35

Luke 2:25–35 NKJV

25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just 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 So he came by 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 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” 33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

This is the scene we described and talked about in our drama last week.

I love this story because it is a part of the birth of Jesus that we don’t often hear about.

Simeon is just, meaning he strives to live according to the law, and devout, meaning that he lives his life the way he does because he fears God.

He is just and devout. This speaks to his character.

He is also described as waiting for the consolation of Israel.

This word “consolation” is the same Word Jesus uses to describe the Holy Spirit as a comforter.

Consolation – παράκλησις (paraklēsis) encouragement; comfort. consolation (source) n. — a source of comfort a person feels when consoled in times of disappointment. Noun (direct object), accusative, singular, feminine.

Consolation – παράκλησις (paraklēsis)

This reveals to us the depth of Simeon’s knowledge of and faith in Scripture.

He knows what the birth of the Messiah means!

It means a change in the relationship the Holy Spirit has with men.

It means that True comfort wasn’t in the keeping of the law, but in the person and work of the Messiah!

The Holy Spirit is upon Simeon to the point that he was told he would not see death before He had seen the Christ.

This is a man of faith!

He is walking by the Spirit before the Spirit was an indwelling presence.

The Spirit leads him into the temple just as Mary and Joseph bring Jesus in to present Him to the Lord!

What a coincidence, right?

Simeon doesn’t just see the Messiah. He holds the infant in His arms and speaks words of praise!

Look at v. 29 again.

READ

This is faith!

Simeon sees himself as a simple servant of God.

He understands that God has fulfilled His promise.

There is peace in the reality that our God keeps His Word.

I love how Simeon refers to Jesus as God’s salvation.

Salvation is not in a work performed or knowledge learned.

This is what a lot of people think.

They think that salvation is something that can be earned.

Others think that all that is required is a cognitive knowledge, and intellectual understanding of who Jesus is.

Both ideas are false and leave you condemned.

Salvation is in the person of Jesus Christ!

It is only through a personal relationship with Jesus that we are saved!

Salvation was prepared by God!

Prepared – ἑτοιμάζω (hetoimazō) prepare; make ready. to prepare v. — to make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, or other purpose. Finite verb, aorist, active, indicative, second person, singular.

Prepared – ἑτοιμάζω (hetoimazō)

There is a time element here.

God prepared salvation before hand!

It was prepared in advance!

This is why Jesus is called the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world!

This is why Peter prayed in Acts 4:28 that everything done to Jesus was according to God’s purpose and determination.

Jesus Christ came to reveal to the Gentiles their need of a Savior and to be the glory of Israel!

This is not a simple baby!

This is salvation Himself come to deliver us from sin!

It is little wonder that Mary and Joseph marveled at what Simeon reveals.

They are astonished and amazed!

I don’t think it was because they didn’t know these things.

After all, the angel told them who the child would be.

I think their astonishment comes from the fact that others know who their child is!

Simeon blesses Mary and Joseph, but he also reveals what is ahead for them.

This child is going to be the cause of rise and fall.

He is going to be a miracle that will be spoken against.

Which will be spoken against – ἀντιλέγομαι (antilegomai) contradict; speak against. to be resisted (contradicted) v. — to be or become heavily antagonized (to the point of being completely opposed). Verb, present, passive, substantival participle, singular, accusative, neuter.

Which will be spoken against – ἀντιλέγομαι (antilegomai)

Christ and all He represents is always resisted and contradicted.

The rise and fall of all people rests on what they do with Jesus.

Do they believe the miracle of His birth, life, death, and resurrection?

Simeon reveals that Jesus will be opposed.

The one who came to bring peace on earth will be rejected.

This reveals the sinfulness in the heart of mankind.

The result of this rejection will be the piercing of Mary’s soul.

Jesus is going to be rejected, He will suffer, and He will be killed.

Oh but He will not stay in the grave.

Up from the grave He arose! With a mighty triumph or His foes!

He arose a victor from the dark domain and He lives forever with His saints to reign!

This is the story of Christmas.

Not just a baby in a manger.

Not just a poor couple who had no where to sleep.

The story of Christmas is the story of Salvation!

Here is our lesson.

Salvation is the most expensive free gift ever,

Here, at the birth of Christ, we have reference to His death.

He was born to die.

Sing with me

“Born To Die” vv. 1-2

The cross was always a part of Jesus’ future.

He paid the price of our redemption with His blood.

He was born to die.

Three observations to help us celebrate Christmas.

Observation #1. Christmas is about Seeing God’s Salvation.

Observation #2. Christmas is about…

2. Seeing God’s Redemption vv. 36-38

Luke 2:36–38 NKJV

36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Anna is an interesting character.

We are given quite a bit of information about her in just three verses.

Anna was a prophetess.

She was someone who foretold the future and challenged people with the truth of God’s Word.

Anna was the daughter of Phanuel.

Anna was of the tribe of Asher.

Anna was either 84 years old, or had been a widow for 84 years making her about 105.

Anna had been married for 7 years.

Anna was now a widow.

This is kind of the history and background of this woman.

What does this tells us?

Anna was someone committed to the Lord.

She chose not to get remarried which means she had been a widow for between 60 and 80 years!

What did this prophetess do with her time?

She stayed at the temple serving the Lord.

This word “serving” could also be translated worship.

She is worshipping her Lord.

What form does her worship take?

She fasted and prayed.

What do you think she prayed about?

I bet it was about the spiritual condition of her people.

I believe Anna was constantly praying for the coming of the Messiah.

This woman, who has been faithfully serving the Lord, is about to receive the blessing of a lifetime.

Brothers and sisters, this is what our God does.

God rewards faithfulness.

Coming in that instant.

This is what we call a divine coincidence.

Meaning that it was no coincidence at all!

Anna was brought into the temple by the Lord at the exact moment Simeon proclaims who this baby is!

Can you imagine that?

For 80 years you have been praying for the Messiah and there He is!

What does Anna do?

She thanks God.

Our first response to answered prayer ought to be thanksgiving.

The second thing Anna does is tell others.

We are called to proclaim the wonderful works of God.

Who does Anna tell?

Those who looked for redemption.

Looked – προσδέχομαι (prosdechomai) look forward to; wait for. to wait (look forward) v. — to look forward to the occurrence of or arrival of. Verb, present, either middle or passive, substantival participle, plural, dative, masculine.

Looked – προσδέχομαι (prosdechomai)

To those who had been waiting and watching for redemption, Anna gave the message that the redeemer had come!

Would we have been someone Anna talked to?

Are we looking for and waiting for redemption?

Redemption is the idea that Christ through His blood has purchased us from our previous master.

What was our previous master?

Sin.

Romans 6:22

Romans 6:22 NKJV

22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

We have a new master!

We are the servants of Jesus Christ.

Anna worshipped God through fasting and prayer.

Anna thanked God when her prayers were answered.

Anna told others about the redemption we can have in Jesus Christ.

What about us?

What worship do we offer our God?

Praise Him for answered prayer!

Tell others about our redemption!

Here is our lesson.

Redemption is a transformative experience.

Anna was different because of her faith.

Jesus Christ came to this earth to redeem us.

There is forgiveness and cleansing only in His blood.

Jesus was born to die.

Sing with me

“Born To Die” vv. 3-4

Jesus laid aside His visible glory.

He took the full weight of sin on Himself.

By His stripes we are healed.

May we adore the Cross.

May we follow Jesus.

He was wounded that we might live.

Three observations to help us celebrate Christmas.

Observation #1. Christmas is about Seeing God’s Salvation.

Observation #2. Christmas is about Seeing God’s Redemption.

Observation #3. Christmas is about...

3. Seeing God’s Preparation vv. 39-40

Luke 2:39–40 NKJV

39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

The interesting thing about what Mary and Joseph do here is that if they followed the normal pattern, they could have presented Jesus to any priest and then redeemed Him.

The fact that they travel to the temple indicates that they did not redeem Him.

This means that Jesus was dedicated to the Lord.

This would be similar to what Hannah did with Samuel.

She took him to the temple and he stayed there with Eli.

He was dedicated to the Lord.

Jesus was dedicated to the purpose of the Father.

Mary and Joseph do everything that the law requires.

This is an indication of their character.

They are obedient followers of God.

Mary and Joseph have done everything in their ability to prepare Jesus for the ministry He has been called to.

They journey back to Nazareth. This is a journey of about 90 miles.

Today this would take about an hour and a half.

For Mary and Joseph it probably took 2-5 days depending on if they were walking, riding, or in a wagon of some sort.

This is how dedicated they were to following God and His law.

Verse 40 gives us one of only a handful of views into the early life of Jesus.

Again this is similar to the story of Samuel.

The word grew is a reference to physical growth.

This is important because Jesus was fully human.

Jesus grew just like a normal child.

One of my least favorite lines in a Christmas song is “the little Lord Jesus no crying He makes.”

It is simply not true.

He was a child like any other in regards to physical needs.

Now He wouldn’t have cried from anger or frustration, but He would have cried out of hunger or a need to be changed.

Jesus would have had growing pains, loose teeth, and possibly even acne.

He grew physically.

As He grew physically, He also became strong in spirit and filled with wisdom.

Strong - κραταιόομαι (krataioomai) become strong; strengthen. to be strong v. — to be or become strong or powerful beyond the average or expected; whether physically or in one’s constitution. Finite verb, imperfect, passive, indicative, third person, singular.

Strong - κραταιόομαι (krataioomai)

This word strong indicates strength that is beyond what is average or expected.

Not that we would expect anything less of Jesus, the Son of God.

What this indicates is that His spiritual strength and wisdom was evident even as a child.

Now, I would love to get lost on a rabbit trail talking about how this must have been terrible for James, Jude and their other sibling to grow up with.

But I’m not going to. File that away for later enjoyment.

Jesus was filled with wisdom.

Wisdom - σοφία (sophia) wisdom. wisdom (trait) n. — the trait of utilizing knowledge and experience with common sense and insight. Noun, genitive, singular, feminine.

Wisdom - σοφία (sophia)

This word for wisdom reflects the mixing of knowledge and experience with common sense and insight.

That was Jesus.

He didn’t just know things. He had common sense and insight on the application of what He knew.

Later on in the gospels this is abundantly evident in how he interacts with people.

The final thing we see here is that the grace of God was upon Jesus.

It was evident to all that God’s favor had been poured out on Jesus.

This is how God prepares Jesus for the ministry that He will have.

He is prepared as He grows physically, as He grows spiritually, and as he is filled with wisdom and grace.

As I reflect on Mary and Joseph and on the early life of Jesus I am challenged.

I want to have their level of commitment to God and His Word.

To spend days traveling simply to fulfil the law reveals a depth of character that we should all strive for.

I want to grow spiritually on a continual basis.

I want to have knowledge and experience but to use them with common sense and insight.

In order to do these things, what is needed?

We must be men and women of the Word who put Scripture into practice.

As these things are true of us, we will be prepared for the work God has prepared for us.

Here is our lesson.

Preparation demands commitment.

God set all things in motion with the conception and birth of Jesus.

God’s plan wasn’t just for Jesus to be born, but for Him to live and die and rise again so that we can have salvation.

Sing with me

“O Little Town Of Bethlehem”

I love these lines.

Cast out our sin and enter in.

O come to us, abide with us Our Lord Emmanuel.

Christmas is about all these things.

This is what we truly celebrate.

That brings us to our communion service.

Turn with me to 1 Corinthians 11:23-32

This is a time for believers to remember the price that was paid. To be reminded of the penalty of sin. Taking part of communion does not save you. This is simply a way for us to be reminded of what Christ has done. If you know the Lord as savior this morning, please join us in bread and juice as we remember Jesus Christ. These are only symbols, they represent the body and blood of our Savior. Examination – verses 26-32

OBSERVANCE OF COMMUNION

1 Corinthians 11:23-32

The Bread (His Body) vv. 23-24 “Emmanuel”

Emmanuel Emmanuel

His name is called Emmanuel

God with us revealed in us

His name is called Emmanuel

The Cup (His Blood) v. 25 “What Child Is This?” (chorus only)

This this is Christ the King

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing

Haste haste to bring Him laud

The Babe the Son of Mary

Conclusion

As we celebrate Christmas this week, may we keep these observations in mind.

Christmas is about salvation.

God sent His son to be the Savior.

Salvation is only found in Jesus.

Christmas is about redemption.

Before we place our faith in Jesus we are slaves to sin.

Christ has paid the price to redeem us from our bondage!

Christmas is about preparation.

The ultimate purpose in God sending Jesus is for Him to deal with sin.

Throughout the life of Jesus He was being prepared for this purpose.

Christmas is the celebration of a promise keeping God whose plan to redeem mankind involved the death of His one and only Son.

Here is the commitment that I want us all to make today.

COMMITMENT:

I will celebrate Christmas as the unfolding of God’s salvation plan.

This is important with our children, our relationships, and our marriages.

Christmas isn’t about getting or giving the best gift ever.

Christmas is about celebrating the best gift ever given.

Christmas is about celebrating our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Christmas is always about the salvation and redemption we have in Jesus.

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