The Song of Faith

Explanation: The setting of this account is the Temple at Jerusalem. Joseph, Mary, and Jesus have traveled from Bethlehem to Jerusalem so that Mary could perform the ceremonial purification following childbirth as proscribed in . Mary and Joseph were also presenting Jesus as the firstborn male of the family, along with the required sacrifice according to .

As Mary and Joseph are entering the Temple for these reasons, they encounter a man named Simeon. Simeon walks up to these new parents (Jesus was about 6 weeks old at the time) and takes the baby in his arms and starts praising God. While Simeon is unknown to Mary & Joseph, Simeon has recognized Jesus as the Messiah and begins his song of faith. The arrival of the Messiah stirred Simeon’s heart and he blessed God for his wonderful and amazing provision.

Luke, the author of the Gospel, gives a limited bio on Simeon. Many details such as his tribe, occupation, prior religious history are not mentioned. Luke only tells the readers that Simeon was righteous and devout. With those two words we discover that Simeon was a faithful Jew who followed the Law. Simeon’s faith, however, was not simply a distant legalism that shaped his exterior; his faith was in the One to whom the Law pointed, and that belief shaped his heart.

Argument: A faith that is real, a faith that is vibrant can and will sing the song of praise. The reality of having a genuine faith in Christ as Lord and Savior will be displayed in a believer’s life over time. Scripture declares that “in Christ we are new creations” () who look and live differently than before. We won’t do it perfectly or be 100% consistent with our witness, but because of the Spirit of Christ who dwells in us, our lives will become more and more like Jesus.

Application: As we celebrate the reality of the Incarnation, the miracle of God with us, what are your actions revealing to those around you? Based on what others witness of your Christmas celebration, would they use the words righteous and devout to describe you?

The Song of Faith is shaped from a life that is Focused ()

Explanation: Simeon lived his life on purpose. He had been anticipating the arrival of the Messiah before the Messiah was even born. His faith in the Word led Simeon to expect His arrival, and then Simeon had also been given a Direct Word from the Holy Spirit. [This was not common - the Holy Spirit had not descended upon all believers at this time, and His presence was not permanent]. The Holy Spirit is the One who told Simeon that he would remain alive until he had personally seen God’s Anointed One.

As a result of this promise from God, Simeon lived with a greater sense of expectation. Instead of simply hoping that the Messiah might be born during his generation, now he had the sure word from God that it would happen. But notice that this unique knowledge of his life expectancy didn’t lead Simeon into crazy living and whacky adventures. He simply continued to live as a faithful and devout Jew with a dynamic focus on the arrival of the Messiah

Illustrate: The release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker took place 2 days ago. This is the 9th and final chapter of the saga, and it finishes what began 42 years ago in 1977. One fan of the Franchise who is residing in a Hospice house in England appealed to the producers for a private pre-release screening. The company agreed, and he viewed the film on November 29. In his thanks to Disney. the man said, “what I am going through is completely dire. Then to top it all off, I thought I wasn’t going to see the film I have been waiting to see since 1977! I still can’t believe it. The only way I can describe this to you is to say that this must be what it feels like to be told you have won a million pounds.” [accessed from deadline.com; “dying ‘Star Wars’ fan sees the ‘Rise of Skywalker’ in private screening’ by Denise Petski, Nov 29, 2019]

Argument: Quite the contrast in expectations that folks have before finishing their lives. One man is looking for the Reality of the Master and Lord of the Universe while the other is looking for a fictional film that features the false philosophy of a “universal and impersonal force.”

The life of a Christ-Follower should display a similar focus that Simeon models. Believers are told to “set your minds on that that are above, not on things that are on the earth” (). This verse doesn’t mean that a Christian can’t watch a Star Wars movie, go to a ball game, ride 4 wheelers, or spend time scrap-booking. There is nothing sinful about spending time with good friends doing fun things. But, for the believer, overlaying all of our activities is the understanding that we are citizens of a different kingdom and our ultimate purposes are to be shaped by our faith, not our activities.

Application: What should shape the life of a believer? What should bring about a cohesive, consistent life? According to Titus, that something should be the Blessed Hope.

Titus 2:11–13 ESV

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Titus What are you living for? What captures your hopes and dreams? What items our on your bucket list? Does your list include being a gospel witness to some one who comes to faith in Christ?

What are you living for? What captures your hopes and dreams? What items our on your bucket list? Does your list include being a gospel witness to some one who comes to faith in Christ?

The Song of Faith brings Freedom from Fear of the Future ()

Explanation: In the first line of Simeon’s song of praise he is blessing God for letting him depart in peace. As mentioned earlier, Luke’s bio of Simeon is brief, but Church tradition portrays him as an older man. If this is true, Simeon is praising God for allowing him to fulfill his mission in life. Simeon was promised that he would not experience death until he had personally seen the Messiah. Simeon had seen Jesus and was actually holding him.

Simeon continues his song by thanking the LORD God for allowing him to see the salvation provided for his countrymen. Simeon is one of the first to know that this Jewish Messiah was to be the Savior for the Gentiles as well, and he joyfully proclaims that truth as well, even though unpopular with fellow Jews. Standing firmly upon the foundation of God’s revealed truth, Simeon was unafraid of criticism or public opinion.

Argument: We live in a day and age in which we have been conditioned by the secular world system to keep our Christian beliefs private. For years the message has been for us Christians to preach to ourselves within our walls, but don’t bring the message of Christ to the marketplace. And, sadly, by and large the Church has done just that.

Sadly, while this is taking place, the Church of Jesus is largely remaining silent.

Jesus did not leave the Glory of Heaven so we could remain silent

The Prince of Glory did not lay in a stinking barnyard food trough in a cave just so we could sing “Away in a Manger” while the world continues to stay in darkness

Jesus did not come as the Suffering Servant who took on a sin debt He did not owe just so we could sit on padded pews once a week

The King of Kings did not come to die a painful death on a Cross just so we could play it safe and not have others think we are some type of religious zealot

He came that we who profess to follow Him might be Lights in the Darkness who live faithfully and unafraid. He came to give us an abundant life, one that is lived for His glory. As modern believers living in the early days of the 21st century we are not called to right all the wrongs of society or to rearrange the social fabric of our culture; but we have been called, like King David, to “serve the purpose of God in our own generation.” ()

Application: We who name the Name of Christ have been called to live for Him in this time and in this place. Please do not settle for less than what Christ came to give. Embrace the Gift of Jesus as He is meant to be embraced. He is the LORD of Life and the King of Glory. Because of who He is and what He has done we have the Freedom to live for Him. Believers are not “given the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but [we] have received the Spirit of Adoption as sons, by who we cry Abba, Father!” (Romans 8:15)

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