THE HOPE OF CHRISTMAS
LUKE 2:25-40
Introduction: Christmas ought to be a time of hope. It is a time of remembering the first coming of Christ, observed in our Christmas celebrations. But it is also a reminder of our waiting for the return of Christ. On that first Christmas hope became reality and the events spell out the lives devoted to God. Luke tells of the activities of these individuals shortly after the birth of Christ,. In Luke 2:25-40, we find a dutiful devotion, an actualized anticipation, a prophetic proclamation and an inclusive invitation.
I. A Dutiful Devotion
A. Luke 2:27 “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”
B. Luke 2:21-24 “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. 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 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."
C. Mary and Joseph Obeyed God’s Word
1. In Circumcising Jesus (2:21a) – Leviticus 12:3 that all Jewish males are to be circumcised on the eighth day after their birth. This was a very important ritual in a Jewish family, because the circumcision of the males was a sign that they were a people set apart unto God.
2. In Naming Jesus (2:21b) – Mary was visited by Gabriel, and he told her to name her son Jesus (1:36) – Mary has remembered that, and has certainly told Joseph of it also, and so at the circumcision ceremony, they name Him Jesus.
3. In Purifying Mary (2:22a, 24) – Mary and Joseph were poor and yet had great faith and were very obedient to God. Mary and Joseph did not let being poor get in the way of obeying God.
4. In Presenting Jesus (2:22b-23) – God wanted the Israelites to set apart all the firstborn animals and all the firstborn males for Himself.
D. It is interesting that the "law" occurs in this chapter five times. Paul states in Galatians 4:4 that Jesus "was made under the law".
E. Dr. B. J. Miller once said, “It is a great deal easier to do that which God gives us to do, no matter how hard it is, than to face the responsibilities of not doing it.” - MBI’s Today In The Word, November, 1989, p.11
II. An Actualized Anticipation
A. Tradition says Simeon was 113 years old when this occurred. Simeon had been waiting for God to keep His promise for most of his life, and now his hope gives way to sight.
B. Luke 2:28-32 “He took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: ‘Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”
C. Dr. George Hendry, former professor of theology at Princeton Theological Seminary, suggests that since God’s promise of the Messiah is fulfilled in Jesus, Simeon finally felt free to leave this earth having actualized that for which he longingly hoped for – Jesus, the consolation of Israel. Hendry writes, that Simeon recognized that “Christmas is not an occasion for remembrance of the past…It is the seal of the promise of God that God will fulfill his purpose in creation and bring it into glorious consummation, in which we hope to participate.” - Hendry, George S. A Christmas Meditation. (The Princeton Seminary Bulletin, Vol. XII, Num. 1, 1991, p. 65)
D. In the presence of the oppression of the Gentiles, and of the iniquity of a people who were ripening or rather ripened in evil, there was a remnant that trusted in God and in His mercy the coming of the promised One, who was to be the fulfillment of this mercy to Israel.
E. James DeLoach tells of a painting of an old burned-out mountain shack. All that remained was the chimney...the charred debris of what had been that family’s sole possession. In front of this destroyed home stood an old grandfather-looking man dressed only in his underclothes with a small boy clutching a pair of patched overalls. It was evident that the child was crying. Beneath the picture were the words which the artist felt the old man was speaking to the boy. They were simple words, yet they presented a profound theology and philosophy of life. Those words were, "Hush child, God ain’t dead!" That vivid picture of that burned-out mountain shack, that old man, the weeping child, and those words "God ain’t dead” convey a powerful message. It is not a message of despair of life; it is a reminder of hope! In the midst of all of life’s troubles and failures, it is a reminder that all is not lost as long as God is alive and in control of His world. - Adapted
F. Proverbs 13:12 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.”
G. 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 “thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
III. A Prophetic Proclamation
A. Luke 2:34-35 “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 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed’.”
B. Isaiah 8:13-15 “The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. He will be as a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble; they shall fall and be broken, be snared and taken."
C. Christ was appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel. He would be one in whom many would believe and, therefore, rise. Many others would reject Him and fall from the grace presented to them. He would be One Who some religious leaders would oppose and speak against, thus revealing the true condition of their hearts.
D. Luther said “The same sun that melts snow hardens soil.”
E. In Warren Wiersbe’s Meet Yourself in the Psalms, he tells about a frontier town where a horse bolted and ran away with a wagon carrying a little boy. Seeing the child in danger, a young man risked his life to catch the horse and stop the wagon. The child who was saved grew up to become a lawless man, and one day he stood before a judge to be sentenced for a serious crime. The prisoner recognized the judge as the man who, years before had saved his life; so he pled for mercy on the basis of that experience. But the words from the bench silenced his plea: “Young man, then I was your savior; today I am your judge, and I must sentence you to be hanged.” One day Jesus Christ will say to rebellious sinners, “During that long day of grace, I was the Savior, and I would have forgiven you. But today I am your Judge. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire!” – Doug Van Essen
F. In John 3:18 Jesus said, “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. To fail to accept Christ as your Savior is to reject Him today, not knowing if there will be a tomorrow. Jesus wants to be your Savior, but he demands a response. He will be either your Savior or your judge.
IV. An Inclusive Invitation
A. Luke 2:38 “And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”
B. Like Simeon, Anna gave thanks to God for sending the Messiah, and then, not stopping there, she went out and spoke to everybody who was looking for redemption in Jerusalem. She went around telling all who would listen and had a spiritual desire that their Savior, their Redeemer had come.
C. Luke 2: 36-37 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; 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.
D. Note – She was at least 84 years old, was always at church serving God night and day.
E. There are many things that go into a healthy church and fruitful ministry, but here we see two of the most important factors of becoming a healthy Christian and a healthy church. If you want to become a healthy Christian, and if you want this church to become healthy, you need to follow the example of Anna. First, spend as much time as possible in church, worshipping God, serving God, fellowshipping with other Christians, learning the Word of God. That’s the first thing. It will help you; it will help the church. But secondly, spend as much time as possible praying. Prayer is the lifeblood of the church. Prayer is what keeps a church and it’s ministries supported and moving forward. Prayer is what keeps you in communication with God. Prayer is what holds back the spiritual forces of darkness. Prayer is how you can support me as the pastor and the other leaders of this church –the Sunday school teachers and the music team and everybody else in leadership positions. – “What Are You Waiting For?” – Jeremy Myers, © 2006 Till He Comes.
F. God never intends for us to retire from spiritual activity. The Bible says we can “still bring forth fruit in old age.” You may be sure God wouldn’t keep you on this earth if He didn’t have a worthwhile ministry for you to accomplish. So keep on serving the Lord!--H.G.B.
Disclaimer: Source material for this sermon has been gleaned from many different sources. I have attempted to acknowledge these sources whenever possible. Please feel free to use this message as God’s Holy Spirit directs your heart.
