BEHOLD THE SON!
Luke 2:21-35
Introduction: We all have certain unforgettable moments
in our lives. When we receive big news, whatever that might be, our minds are
forever imprinted with the emotion and excitement captured in that moment. We
hear of an upcoming marriage, a baby on the way, an acceptance to a school,
whatever it might be – and those big moments leave a mark in our minds.
In
2010, Drew Brees – quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, had that kind of
moment as he celebrated a Super Bowl win. As he stood with his son lifted up
high in the air, he said, "I stood there with my little boy, and I was
overwhelmed. I told Baylen how much I loved him and how much he meant to me and
what an inspiration he was to me. I thought of my mom, who I believed was
smiling down from heaven, and all my family and friends who were there
watching. 'We did it, little boy. We did it!”
In
that landmark moment for Drew Brees' career, that image of him holding his son
up in the air will be an image forever sketched in his mind. Today we will
learn about an unforgettable moment of an aged prophet and how that might
affect our lives. This past week we launched five Connect groups meeting in
various locations. This is a great way to fellowship, pray and study God’s
word. These groups will be studying the
Gospel of Luke and on Sunday mornings I will speak on certain key themes of
this gospel. If you have not yet signed up to attend one of these groups please
meet with one of us at the end of the service so that we can help you find a
group.
I INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT LUKE
As
with the other three gospels, the title is derived from the author’s name.
According to tradition Luke was a Gentile. That would make Luke the only
Gentile to pen any books of Scripture. Luke wrote this Gospel as well as the
book of Acts. Very little is known about Luke, other than what is referred to
by the Apostle Paul. In Philemon 24, he is referred as a co-worker.
2
Timothy 4:11 tells us Luke was a loyal friend of Paul. In Colossians 4:14, Paul
calls him, his beloved doctor. Luke’s interest in medical phenomena is evident
in the high profile he gave to Jesu’s healing ministry throughout the gospel.
As we read through this gospel notice that Luke’s account gives prominence to
Jesus ‘concern for the poor and oppressed. Pay particular attention to Jesus’
interest in diverse ethnic, religious, economic, gender and social groups.
The
first two chapters deal with the birth of both John and Jesus and some
particular details of Jesus’ childhood that were not present in other gospels.
We come across several speeches that are worth listening to, namely: The angel Gabriel’s
speech to Zachariah, and Mary. A short speech by Elizabeth. Mary’s speech, the
angel’s speech to the shepherds and from our passage the speech of Simeon.
Throughout these speeches and unforgettable moments, we can notice the very movement
of the Holy Spirit in the fulfillment of the age-old prophecies.
II JESUS IS PRESENTED IN THE TEMPLE
When
you read through the first two chapters, we will see several prophetic
fulfilments and also God’s people fulfilling what was written in the Law.
Jesus’ legal parents Mary and Joseph were very devout followers of the law of
Moses. Eight days later, they
circumcised the baby boy and named him Jesus a name that was given by the angel
even before he was conceived. Forty days later it was the time of their
purification offering according to the law.
The
law required, if a woman’s first child was a boy, he then must be dedicated to
the Lord, as every first born belonged to the Lord. The parents made a six-mile
journey to the temple with their offering of “Two pigeons or turtle doves.” It
looked like they couldn’t afford a lamb and two pigeons as per the custom, so
they took only two pigeons.
This
gives us an indication of how poor Jesus’ legal parents might have been, yet
were entrusted with the greatest treasure in their hands as they offered up the
purification offering and consecrated their baby boy Jesus.
II UNFORGETTABLE MOMENT.
At
that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and
devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The
Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he
had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So,
when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law
required, Simeon was there. What do we know about Simeon?
Simeon
was a man of Justice and devotion to God. We don’t know how old he was, we
could well imagine he might have been a hundred years old, as in those days God
granted long-life to those who loved Him. (91:16). He must have been following
the prophecies of Isaiah, Zechariah, Daniel and Micah, about the Messiah who
would be born of a virgin, would sit and reign on the throne of King David and
establish his Kingdom on earth etc.
To
confirm all those prophecies, the shepherds who went and saw the baby wrapped
up in swaddling clothes, laying in a manger, they in turn went around and told everyone
what had happened and what the angel had said to them about the child. All
those who heard the shepherd’s story were astonished. I am sure this story must
have reached Simeon.
This
day was unlike any other day, the Holy Spirit led him to the temple exactly at
the time when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus. What a
timing? The timing of God is always
perfect, never too early or never too late, just the right time. The Holy
Spirit positioned Simeon just at the right time at the right place so that his
dreams could come true.
It
is interesting to note that even before the Holy Spirit physically manifested
during the Pentecost, he was fully active and involved in the affairs of the
world events. The Holy Spirit gave Simeon an unusual insight into the future of
the 40-day old baby Jesus. He took the child into his arms and looked at him. We
can only imagine what it might have been like for Simeon.
Here
for the very first time he was holding a miracle baby, “The word, God incarnate
in the form of a little child. The one who spoke, and everything came into
existence, now staring perhaps with some stars in his eyes into the eyes of
Simeon. It was for this glorious moment that he had been waiting since the Holy
Spirit told him, that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
This is it! This was his unforgettable moment. He could not contain his Joy.
Simeon
began to praise God saying: “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for
all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of
your people Israel!” Simeon further said to Mary the baby’s mother. “This child
is destined to cause many in Israel to
fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but
many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be
revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”
What
does, “cause many in Israel to fall, and
many others to rise mean”? It means Jesus rises up those who believe in him,
but he will be a stumbling block for those who do not believe in him. Later on,
we see the apostle Paul making a reference to this prophecy I Corinthians
1:23-24, “So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended
and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. But to those called by God to
salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of
God.” Jesus’ is indeed the cause for many to rise and to fall.
Jesus
came into this world to point people to the father and his love for sinners.
Yet many have opposed him then and will even oppose him now. Many people, that
includes God’s people the Jews simply take offense at the very mention of the
name Jesus. But on the other hand, scores of people have gladly accepted and
will continue to accept what Jesus had to offer, the great gift of salvation
and become God’s children in His one BIG family. What does this all mean for us
today? It means, like Simeon did, we too are called to Behold the Son.
III. BEHOLD THE SON
In
this passage Simeon represents humanity in waiting for the Consolation of
Israel. i.e; the comfort that the Messiah would bring to his people Israel upon
his coming. When he held baby Jesus in his arms, he was beholding the Messiah. What
Simeon prophesied of Jesus was very profound. Up until that moment the people
of Israel had been waiting for the Messiah to come, comfort and save them from
their enemies. But the Holy Spirit opened up Simeon’s understanding that
salvation is not only for Israel but for all people of all nations.
As
a Gentile himself, Luke was careful to emphasize the truth that salvation was
offered for the Gentiles as well as for Jews. Simeon had his unforgettable
moment when he saw Jesus. If Simeon were here today, he would like all of us to
have that unforgettable moment of beholding Jesus the Son of God. What does it
mean to behold the Son for us today?
It
means, recognizing that Jesus is the Messiah, the savior of the world. It means
believing in the finished work of Jesus on the cross. It means accepting Jesus
gift of salvation by confessing our sins and putting our trust in Jesus only.
When we do that, we too can have our unforgettable moment of Joy, Peace, and be
filled with eternal Hope, that one day when we die, we along with Simeon and
millions of other saints will continue to behold the Son.
In
closing, did you have your unforgettable moment yet? There is nothing in this
entire world as unforgettably joyful, as the day when you behold the Son. If you
never experienced that moment, all you need to do is to respond to the beckoning
of the Holy Spirit, who would like you to leave this place knowing that your
sins are forever forgiven. He wants you to accept the free gift of salvation. When you behold the Son, He will change your
life forever. What more are you waiting for? How long would you push God away
in your life? As the scriptures suggest, “indeed the right time is now. Today
is the day of salvation.” Amen!
