Simeon and Anna in the Temple

Intro

What did everyone get for Christmas?

Have them shout it out at the same time

I got… drum lessons!

*Share Eli’s reaction about practicing piano*

It was so good to celebrate the birth of Christ on Christmas Eve together

The story continues! Our passage takes place 40 days after the birth of Christ...

In accordance to the purity laws in Leviticus

The Story

Read verses 22 - 24

Two Laws being observed:

Purification for Mary after childbirth (cf. Lev. 12:6-8)

Notice that they could NOT afford a lamb; poor and ironic.

Dedication of the firstborn male (cf. Exodus 13:1 - 2)

Law made in response to the Passover (Exodus)

Price required to redeem firstborn was 5 shillings (not stated)

Both of these laws point to Jesus as the lamb

Read verses 25 - 32

Enter Simeon, someone righteous (like Zechariah and Elizabeth) and devout

He was waiting for “the consolation of Israel” = Messianic title (God’s comforter used throughout Isaiah)

Not necessarily old; but content to die

Simeon’s relationship with the Holy Spirit was quite unique:

The Holy Spirit was upon him (no abiding yet)

The Holy Spirit had promised he would see the Messiah before he died

The Holy Spirit led him to the Temple to meet Jesus

The Holy Spirit gave him words of truth to sing and prophesy

Simeon’s song is one of praise to God

He is now content to die, for he has received what God promised him

He also knows who Jesus is, “a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel” (cf. Isaiah 49:6)

For all people! Also the true fulfillment of Israel’s destiny.

Read verses 33 - 35

Mary and Joseph marveled at all of this

Because of what Simeon knew (by the Spirit) without being told

Because Simeon was bringing even more information to light

This culminated with Simeon prophesying about Jesus’ future

The fall and rising of many in Israel (sort out those of true faith)

A sign that is opposed (put to death at the hands of his own people)

Sword piercing Mary’s soul (to watch her son suffer and die)

This salvation will come at a cost

All of this will reveal what is true about people (cut to the heart)

Read verses 36 - 40

Anna is introduced as a prophetess (unique with no prophets)

She has been widowed for a long time and is now 84

She is ALWAYS worshipping God at the Temple (devout as well)

Anna also recognizes that Jesus is the Messiah = redemption of Jerusalem (cf. Isaiah 52:9; notice both comfort and redemption together)

She also gives thanks to God and tells others about Jesus

After this eventful trip, the young family heads home to Nazareth

And Jesus began to grow in every measure

Who Are You Listening To?

There are many competing voices out there

I know I’m not the only Christian teacher you listen to! (and that’s okay)

Parents, you are ALWAYS the loudest voice in the lives of your children (even as they age)

Still important to listen to the right voices, even when not a “spiritual” issue.

*Highlight with pandemic examples*

Simeon was someone who clearly listened to the Holy Spirit

And the HS answered! The Spirit had TOLD Simeon he would see the Messiah before his death.

Likewise, we need to actively listen to God.

God speaks primarily through His Word

Scripture (will never say anything against what He has already said)

Jesus (The Word; God in flesh; we should listen to his teaching specifically)

God also speaks to us in secondary ways:

Desires

Dreams

Doors

People

Prompts

Pain

All must be held up against the Word of God and the person of Jesus.

Who Are You Following?

It is never good to follow the wrong guide

*Share story of Albert and Rita Chretien in 2011. Penticton -> Las Vegas; lost in Nevada wilderness; Rita survived 48 days on candy, trailmix and snow; Albert died on a hillside while looking for help*

Shows the stakes of following the wrong person (or thing)

Both Simeon and Anna showed a willingness to follow the Spirit and come to the Temple at the same time as Jesus.

This was not coincidence! They followed God’s lead.

It is one thing to listen, but following requires action.

Who are you following?

Don’t follow me! I’m just trying to point to the One you should be following.

We are followers of Jesus (what it means to be a disciple)

This was Jesus simple and profound call to his earliest disciples; “follow me.

This required action

They left everything behind and literally followed Jesus around.

This required commitment

Jesus became their top priority

The same is true for us as followers of Jesus today

Can’t be lip service; requires action

Must show priority

“Come and See” is a great opportunity to follow closely in the footsteps of Jesus.

What Do You Believe is True?

The third action of the Spirit in our passage is how it revealed the truth about who Jesus was to both Anna and Simeon

Not only did Simeon praise God in song for sending the Messiah, but prophesied about the future work of Jesus

Anna was so confident that Jesus was the Messiah that she immediately started to spread the word

Mary and Joseph marvelled at the fact that they could know so much about their son; only God could have told them the truth.

All of this is in line with a cricital role of the Spirit: to lead us into all truth (Cf. John 16:13)

It is wrong to think truth is a personal decision

It is wrong to think that we are capable of discerning the truth on our own

The Spirit of truth is our guide into all truth… are we willing to follow this guide?

The truth about Jesus is the greatest truth that needs to be made known

Everyone in the Christmas story that found out who Jesus was could not wait to tell others (shepherds, Simeon, Anna)

Do you believe the truth about Jesus? That he is the Son of God, our saviour, and the only way to eternal life?

If so, are you committed to telling other people the truth about who Jesus is? Or is it far too easy to keep to yourself?

Conclusion

Simeon and Anna remind us of the Triune activity of God

The birth of Christ was an action of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit still operates in our lives today

We should listen to God’s voice

We should follow God’s lead

We should believe God’s truth

Pray