LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
LUKE 2:21-40
Introduction
In December we have observed the Advent Themes of Hope, Peace, Joy.
-John the Baptist was the Forerunner of Hope
-Mary maintained Peace in a difficult calling.
-Angels proclaimed a time of great Joy for all.
-Today we want to see the Love that Jesus inspired in others - as an infant and even today.
Joseph and Mary acted in great love for the infant. The Shepherds were amazed and led to glorify God.
Forty days later it was time for Jesus to be presented in the Temple, in obedience to the law.
Luke 2:21-24
On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. 22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
Bock: The journey of Jesus’ parents to the temple combines three separate ceremonies as recorded in God’s law
Purification of a woman 40 days after birth of a child. Presentation of the firstborn to God. The dedication of the firstborn to the Lord’s service. Though this dedication to service is like many others that took place in Israel for centuries, this one is unique because it is Jesus the Christ!
Only Luke tells us of two people who had been waiting and watchful for the coming of the Son of God. What dedication … love for God! Today’s message is focused on love: Loving God, Loving Jesus, and Learning to Love one another!
1. Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)
Luke 2:25-35 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss[a] your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Simeon was a Righteous and Devout man. He was “waiting for the consolation of Israel” (the consummation of God’s promise). “Devout” was a word often used for a statesman or an official of some kind.
Bock: "Whereas the shepherds symbolized the average person on the street, Simeon represents the testimony of a wise elder who has walked with God."
Simeon was a man led by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would see the Lord’s Messiah before his death. The Holy Spirit led him to the temple courts to encounter Jesus and his parents.
Simeon had two important messages:
-Praises God for allowing him to see the salvation that Jesus would bring - and a light to the Gentiles.
-The life of Jesus would be one that would bring joy to many, but he would meet opposition. So much so that, “A sword will pierce your own soul too.” God reveals his Son’s destiny to be more than a decoration in a manger scene.
What love Simeon expressed for God, and the Messiah that God sent. He teaches us…
-To anticipate the Messiah.
-To accept the Messiah when we meet him!
-To spread the announcement, “I have seen the Savior!”
Simeon wasn’t alone in the Temple that day!
2. Anna (Luke 2:36-38)
Luke 2:36-38 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[a] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Anna never left the temple during her years as a widow. She was a prophet. She is likely over 100 years old!
For 77 years she worshiped, fasted, prayed. What an inspiration! Maybe she heard what Simeon said - she came up to the family of Jesus. She gave thanks to God! Bock: While her words are not recorded in Luke, her testimony makes everyone aware that God is doing something special in this child. Those who are faithful to God will hear her report and share in her praise.
Anna reminds us…
-Never give up in prayer and service to God!
-Speak about Jesus to anyone who will listen!
When we love Jesus, we will be expecting Him any moment, praying for all, serving with His people, led by the Holy Spirit and giving our entire lives to loving Him.
3. LOVE JESUS AT FIRST SIGHT!
Love him because He meets our greatest need!
If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator.
If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist.
If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist.
If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer.
But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.
Love Jesus because he Came to Set Wrong Things Right. Sin wrecked the world God created. No amount of good works or sacrifice could set it right. Justice and mercy drove Jesus to the cross to set wrong things right.
Revelation 21:5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Jesus Came to Bring Life to Death
Our great enemy, death, is defeated in resurrection of Jesus.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57 ““Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Conclusion
1. Luke 22:39-40 - Mary and Joseph and Jesus returned to Nazareth.
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
We can understand why Simeon and Anna waited a lifetime to see Jesus.
You do not have to wait a lifetime to see Him – He is here today and you can belong to Him.
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Discussion Questions
1. “The Presentation of Jesus”. Why did Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem? What does this event signify in Jewish tradition? What does it say about the family of Jesus?
2. Who was Simeon, and why was he waiting at the temple? What does his encounter with Jesus tell us about his faith and God's promises?
3. What did Simeon say about Jesus' future? How did his words bring both comfort and challenge to Mary and Joseph?
4. Who was Anna, and how did she react to seeing Jesus? What can we learn from her devotion and her response to encountering Jesus?
5. Both Simeon and Anna had been waiting for the coming of the Messiah. How can their patience and faith inspire us in our own spiritual journeys? What does it look like to wait today?
6. How is the Holy Spirit portrayed in this passage? What role does the Spirit play in guiding Simeon and revealing Jesus' identity? How do you think the Holy Spirit helps us to see Jesus today?
7. How do Mary and Joseph react to the prophecies about Jesus? What can we learn from their faith and their
willingness to follow God's plan?
8. What else did you want to talk about today?
Additional Teacher Notes;
Quest Study Bible: WHAT WAS THE CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL? (2:25)
This phrase refers to the Old Testament hope in a Messiah who would finally and decisively deliver Israel from their political bondage to other nations. Zechariah had earlier expressed this same hope (1:68–75 )
Darrel Bock: The journey of Jesus’ parents to the temple in Luke 2:22 - 24 combines three separate ceremonies as recorded in God’s law: the purification of a woman forty days after the birth of a child (Lev. 12:2 - 4, 6), the presentation of the firstborn to God (Ex. 13:2, 12, 16; 34:19; Num. 18:15 - 16), and the dedication of the firstborn into the Lord’s service (1 Sam. 1 - 2). Though this dedication to service is like many others that took place in Israel for centuries, this one is unique because of the call of this child.
We, like Simeon, are waiting in the afternoon shadows of the in-between between Jesus’ saving work on the cross and the ultimate redemption of his second coming. The scandal of the Christmas story is that it flips our vision of the world upside down and gives us a new way of seeing. In doing so, it demands that we surrender our tendency to rush and to rationalize. How would the Christmas story change for us if we allowed ourselves to be wrapped up in the radical profundity of it all—of a child that causes both “falling and rising” (v.34)? Of divinity intermingled with the gritty, ordinary chaos of humanity? If we paused long enough, what pains, questions, and promises would bubble up to the surface? Advent offers us the gentle invitation to model Simeon’s posture, waiting patiently, pondering, and wondering. Lily Journey
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Resources
Bock, Darrel L. NIV Application Commentary: Luke. Zondervan, 1996.
Journey, Lily. To See A Prophecy Fulfilled. Posted at https://ekstasismagazine.substack.com/p/to-see-a-prophecy-fulfilled
Mize, Bob. A PRESENT FOR SIMEON AND ANNA. Sermon.
