Messianic Promise: Jesus has come
Intro: We are well into the Christmas season. How is everyone coming on their Christmas shopping? I won’t mention where I am for fear of being tripped down the stairs.
Has anyone ever had an advent calendar? Does anyone have an advent calendar now? I had one as a kid. It was great. I got a piece of chocolate and I got to count down until Christmas morning. I was looking forward to Christmas.
In past weeks, the passages in Isaiah were speaking of a time that was yet to come in biblical history: the coming of the Messiah. For centuries, the Jewish nation was looking forward to son of David to be born and save Israel from oppression. Many Jews today still feel the same way.
As those who have a relationship with Jesus, we know that the Messiah did come in the form of a baby, born in a manger in Bethlehem, according to Scriptural promise. But what about those who lived with Jesus. What were they looking forward to?
Context: This text is an interesting text. Jesus has been born, and as per Jewish custom, Jesus is brought to Jerusalem to be circumcised and dedicated to the Lord, according to Jewish law (Ex 13:2). We see that Joseph and Mary did not have much money, as their sacrifice was that of two young pigeons, which was the offering of the poor (Lev 12:8). We should always remember that Jesus was Jewish, and his earthly family was Jewish. It is while thee are in the temple they meet Simeon, a godly man waiting for the Messiah to come. Remember, prophecy is not always “foretelling”, but “forthtelling”. What is God saying to his people? Now God also reveals what He intends to do. There has also been no revelation for 400 years. That brings us to today’s text.
1st Point: Prophecy Should Come From Godly People
- Look at the description of Simeon. He is called “righteous and devout” (Lk 2:25). The Greek words here are dikaios (righteous) and eulabēs (devout or reverent). It also says the Holy Spirit is upon Him. Remember that at this time, Israel is still under the old covenant. The Holy Spirit only came on certain people at certain times for certain purposes. The fact that Simeon has the Spirit is a statement that he can work in the office of the prophet because he has been empowered.
- E.g. – Police Officers: they are invested police officer: they are invested with power from the state; the individuals do not possess it on their own; an outside source gives them their authority
2nd Point: Prophecy Can Speak To All People
- When we look at the prophecy that Simeon speaks, we see a revolutionary idea: the idea that God is concerned with all people. We might think so, but we need to think like a first century Jew…
- God wants to speak to all people, not just our special interest group
3rd Point: Prophecy Is Not Always Comforting
- Sometimes we just want God to give us our warm feelies, and be done with it
- God is warning that some people will stumble because of Jesus
- Mary will suffer as well: i.e. the cross
- God warns us the bad stuff will happen: i.e. persecution seen in Acts and Church history
Application:
1) We need to live godly lives. We have an advantage; the Holy Spirit already in us. But if we want to honour God, we need to live lives that honour him.
2) We need to share God’s word with all people. Just as Jesus has come to save us, He wants to save people of all backgrounds.
3) We need to be changed, which is painful. If we are not being challenged, our faith is too comfortable.
Conclusion: God is still active in the world today. At times it feel likes God is not speaking, but He is. He uses His people, moulded into His image to speak life to His creation, bringing about change. He is also in the process of changing us, which is painful, but necessary. When we get to Christmas, let us remember it is not about the way things are now, but about God’s purpose for all of us now and tomorrow.