Hope When Your Future Is Unsure Series

If you were to travel to Israel today by airplane, most likely you would arrive at the Tel Aviv - Ben-Gurion airport and see a 50-meter-long mural that depicts all the famous people in Jewish History.

The mural is meant to showcase 4000 years of Jewish History.

The mural tells the story of the Jewish people starting with Adam to the formation of the nation of Israel, its exile, and the rise of Zionism to the establishment of the modern state.

Yet what is odd about mural is that the most famous Jewish man in history is not depicted on the mural; Jesus Christ, at least not at first glance.

Think about it. Jesus has been recently named “the most famous person in history” yet as you enter the Holy land Jesus appears to “not appear” on the painting that drapes the walls of the nations entrance.

Yet, evidently some believe that Jesus does appear on the mural as the mural contains the picture of a man holding a baby; most say that picture in the mural is Simeon and the baby is Jesus. Yet, both of them seem to get lost in the background of other significant Jews

Explanation:

When we read the Christmas story, often Simeon can also become that way in the Bible.

One man described it this way: “ Growing up we had a record called, The Glory of Christmas.” which was as a delightful musical retelling of the events surrounding Jesus’ birth. Before the days of iTunes and playlists, it became a tradition to listen to it at Grandma’s house. The record album was placed on the record player for several of my childhood Christmases. Naturally, this incessant replaying took its toll. The vinyl became scratched and the needle began to skip at certain places. One such skip, the one etched in my memory, was at the point when the narrator told of Mary and Joseph going to the temple to dedicate Jesus. “They met there an old man named Simeon.” Scratch! “They met there an old man named Simeon.” Scratch! “They met there an old man named Simeon...”Of course as kids we thought this was hilarious. We’d wait eagerly for it, and then giggle as it skipped and repeated the line over and over till one of us stomped or smacked the stereo to move it ahead. This sequence was almost as much a part of our holiday festivities as Christmas morning stockings, manger scenes, and going to grandma and grandpa’s house. It was a Christmas tradition. Yet, it was the one thing that made Simeon memorable.” (Josh Matthews PHD: Western Seminary, 2015)

It is often said that Simeon is the most popular person to get lost in the Christmas story, as well as, the Jewish tradition of Hebrew history.

Yet, Simeon plays a very significant role in the unfolding of Luke’s narrative. Strangely enough, he’s a leading character in the post-Christmas story; the story of Jesus week after Christmas. (8 days -vs. 21)

Likewise, he has a lot to say about Jesus and His impact on our life “after Christmas” and into the days that follow; the future of our lives.

In it, he declares that there’s hope for the future; become hope has a name; His name is Jesus.

Transition: For Simeon’s life, what do we learn about how Jesus leads us today, tomorrow, and for us; into a New Year?

Transitional Sentence: Simeon reminds of us of how Jesus leads us and is our daily hope for tomorrow. As our hope Jesus leads us daily to:

I. Be Available to God

vs. 25- “And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout looking for consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.”

Explanation:

The Holy Spirit and Simeon actually have a lot in common when it comes to the story of our lives; they often escape our attention when it comes to their significance. Yet, both are vital in our understanding of our lives both today and tomorrow.

Yet, when it came to who directed and provided insight and understanding of the next steps Simeon was to make in life; notice, he was dependence on the Holy Spirit.

Immediately, when we are introduced to Simeon we read these simple words: “...this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.”

What does this mean? What is the significance of the phrase that says: “and the Holy Spirit was upon him?”

This is not the first time we read this phrase in the Christmas story. When Gabriel met with Mary there was a similar statement made. He said to Mary: “The angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you, and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.” Vs. 35