Chirstmas Eve: Born To Die

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE MESSAGE

BORN TO DIE

LUKE 2:21-32

We are coming to our time of Communion tonight, I would like to share with you a passage of Scripture and a few thoughts. This Scripture and these thoughts will prepare our minds and hearts and emotions well to remember that Jesus was born to die.

READ LUKE 2:21-35 (ESV)

21 And at the end of eight days, when He was circumcised, He was called Jesus, the Name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 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.”

Jesus and His family had to go to the temple on this day for a specific purpose for ceremonial cleansing and to offer sacrifices for their new baby. The temple was the place where Joseph and Mary had to go. I am sure they would have looked like any of the other couples in the courtyard. Mary was cradling Jesus in her arms walking beside Joseph who had a small cage in his hand that contained the two doves and two pigeons.

Someone picked them out of the crowd and noticed that they were different. It was a man named Simeon. We know from the text that he was a righteous and devout person. We also learn that God promised him that he would not die until he had seen the Savior of Israel, until he had seen the Messiah. He waited for years and years for this promise to come true. Verse 27 tells us the Holy Spirit moved Simeon to go to the Temple. He knew when he saw these two parents bringing this Child into the Temple that He was the Messiah. This was the Savior!

As we prepare for communion, let us focus on this passage about Simeon which will help us understand that Jesus was born to die:

* In verse 25, we are told Simeon was waiting for the “consolation of Israel.” What does that mean? The word used in this verse means “a powerful encouragement and comfort.” Simeon was looking for the Messiah Who would come because He was the comforter of Israel.

* In verse 30, Simon says that he has seen the “salvation” of God not just for Israel, but for all people. The salvation that was promised was bundled up in the Person of Jesus. The salvation is Jesus. Jesus is the salvation. Jesus was and is the salvation of Israel and all people.

* In verse 32, Simeon uses the words “light” and “glory” because in the Person of Jesus all that God has planned and willed for humanity and creation would be revealed. Life makes sense because of Jesus. God’s plan makes sense because of Jesus. The Old Testament set up makes sense because of Jesus.

So thus far we have Simeon praising God because of Jesus the Salvation Bringer, but then we come to verses 34 and 35 which show us that Jesus was born to die. This salvation would not be a smooth process, but something terrible would happen to Him. Verse 34 says Jesus will be opposed. Verse 35 says that something so significant and tragic and terrible will happen to Jesus that the happening will have repercussions and pierce Mary to the soul.