A Promise Fulfilled

READ Luke 2:25-35

In obedience to the law, Joseph and Mary went to the temple to offer a sacrifice. First, Mary had to undergo a time of purification before they could come. In a separate ceremony, Jesus was consecrated.

Simeon - “Devout”, godly-fear = careful observance of the divine law.

He behaved well towards people.

Had a continual presence of the Spirit upon Him.

Could be described as one of the believing remnant of Judaism, looking forward to the Messianic Age. (It had been 400 years since there had been any type of prophecy.

“Faith…involves trusting in the future promises of God and waiting for their fulfillment.” - R.C. Sproul

God is faithful to His promises. We often struggle to be faithful in the waiting.

Simeon looked forward to “Israel’s consolation”

OT prophecy about the redemption of Israel, which would be signified by an incredible sense of Yahweh’s presence.

The Messianic blessing of the nation. The Messiah.

“On that day the root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples. The nations will look to him for guidance, and his resting place will be glorious.” (Isaiah 11:10)

The Christmas season is a reminder that God keeps His promises.

“God’s perfect timing”

Even though Israel has undergone 400 years of silence, the Holy Spirit promised Simeon the devoted servant that he would see the messiah before his death.

Messiah = Yahwehs anointed one. This revelation had been given in answer to prayer.

Simeon entered the temple under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Joseph and Mary came on the same day to perform the laws custom on their son.

Immediately recognizing the children, with unhesitating certainty, he took Jesus into his arms and gazed upon the redemption of his people.

In April of 2007, I was invited to Rick and Carolyn’s Hamburgers by my friend Jeremy to hang out with some of his friends. I had no idea I was meeting the most important person other than Jesus in my life.

We often struggle in waiting on God because we don’t trust His timing. We think now is the time and debate with God on his understanding of our calendar.

Simeon chose to focus on God instead of his own timing. Because of his focus, he was in the perfect position to perceive the Holy Spirits guidance in his life.

One of the greatest areas we display faith in God is trusting in his timing above all.

“God’s prophetic word”

4th Hymn in Luke narrative. (Nunc Dimittis in Latin Vulgate)

Simeon is now ready to die peacefully because he has seen the baby through whom God would bring salvation.

Salvation for all, not just for the Jews.

The heathen is no in oppositino. Luke shows concern for the universal application of the Bible. Gentiles and Jews were not apposing but in the same light.

Faith rewarded by present sight.

Joseph and Mary are amazed at Simeon’s song.

He predicts that because of a child, “many in Israel” would be brought to a moral decision.

Some to a point of collapse and others to waht can well be called a resurrection. There will be cost to following Jesus.

Jesus would be vulnerable to the hostility of believers. He will divide people and point them to the action of God.

The sword that will pierce Mary’s heart is the death of Jesus.

Tension when family comes together.

The message of the gospel causes division. Jesus, when preached to the nations will bring peace to those who believe and destruction to the evil.

“Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies will be the members of his household” (Matthew 10:34-36)

“Peace on earth is coming, but not yet. Association with Jesus can introduce problems in your relationships—even within your own family.” - The Tony Evans Study Bible

The scriptures, the message of Jesus, and salvation through faith will cause great division in the world.

Even between church goers.

Mary would see this excruciating truth with her own eyes.

The promise given to Simeon was not simply for his own joy. God would use his servant to share a deeper promise.