Sunday, December 27, 2020 - Luke 2:21-52 - Freedom Community Church - Pastor Rob Lloyd

Sunday, December 27, 2020 - Luke 2:21-52 - Freedom Community Church - Pastor Rob Lloyd - Battle Ground, Washington, US

Sunday Service Time: 10 AM
Sunday Service Location: 1919 SW 25th Ave, Battle Ground, WA 98604
Phone: (360) 975-9356
Email: info@freedomcommunity.church
Prayer Request: wepray@freedomcommunity.church
Mailing Address: 1400 NE 136th Ave, Ste 201, Vancouver, WA 98684

Sermon Notes:
Luke 2:21-52

If you were with us Wednesday night as we celebrated the account of Jesus birth, you will quickly recognize we are picking up today immediately afterward.
21 And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child [in other words Jesus is now eight days old], His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 22 Now when the days of her [their] purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him [Jesus] to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons [which was the offing of the poorest].”

This section alone is so amazing for several reasons. First, we see from the beginning that Jesus would fulfill every detail and component of the law (1 Pet. 2:22). Now we heard that Zechariah and Elizabeth were dedicated to doing so, but as with all people it is an absolute impossibility to fulfill all the law all the time. Only One could and did, and that was Jesus!
• And that makes these verses really interesting, because we see Joseph and Mary also doing their best to keep the law by complying with Lev. 12:2-4, which dealt with what had to be done after a woman had a male child in order to deal with their uncleanness. And if you’ve seen a birth this is messy business.
• So, in regard to the woman, this deals mainly with her physical uncleanness.
• But in regard to the baby, he was to be 1) presented to the Lord, 2) circumcised and 3) have an offering made on his behalf, because as with all people, we are born into sin (Eph. 2:2).

And this is why this is so important. First because Jesus was the only one every born who was not born into sin (Adam and Eve were created, not born). And because of that, this offering wasn’t necessary for Jesus at all.
• And in Him being circumcised and having this offering made on His behalf, identified Him with sinners of His own accord, because even though He was a baby, the Father could have certainly found a way to keep Jesus from this.
• So right from His birth, the words of 2 Cor. 5:21 leap out at us; “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” This was all part of the plan.
• But of equal wonder, in Jesus fulfilling every detail of the law perfectly, He was able to be the sinless sacrifice that would free us from the curse of the Law (Gal. 3:10-29, Col. 2:14).

Folks, not one thing we just talked about was necessary for Jesus. And as a matter of fact, even sending Jesus into the world wasn’t necessary for God. All of this was done because of the love of God for us. He did it to set us free.

25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ [Messiah].

This description is really important. It says Simeon was just, meaning his dealings with others were above board. And it says he was devout, meaning he was fully devoted to the Lord his God. And it says he was waiting for Messiah, meaning his focus was not on the things of this world, but on the eternal life with God.
• And he’d been given a very special promise, that he would not die before he had the privilege of seeing Messiah. And I for one find it interesting the way he would see Jesus would be as a helpless baby who was completely dependent on others for everything.
• In the natural mind, I believe most who were in the circumstances of that time would have thought, “a baby is useless to us now and even just another person to have to defend and care for”, thinking, “a baby is not what we need”.
• But I believe Simeon saw exactly what he was looking for; 1) joy at the life of a baby coming into the world, 2) fulfillment of the promise of God that He would see the Messiah with his own eyes, 3) the way God came into the world that He might identify with His creation and they might identify with Him, and 4) I dare say the revelation that God would entrust Himself into the hands and care of those He created, who love Him. This really is almost unfathomable. Seriously, consider that for a minute!

But before we move on, I want us to see how many of us are like Simeon. Here’s a quiz; 1) are you committed to living uprightly with others? 2) Are you devoted to being set apart for Jesus? 3) Are you waiting for the consolation from heaven when Jesus calls us home to be with Him, knowing it will occur because the Holy Spirit is in you? 4) And do you fully believe you might not see death before He returns for us?
• If so, you are in that privileged group of Jesus followers. Not privileged because God favored you more than other believers, but because you receive it in faith, standing in the truths God has given us and standing on the promises which were made to all who would receive Jesus.
• And if not, you’re the one ripping yourself off, because all these are possible for you right now. And the great news is you can change your position here today, immediately.

27 So he [Simeon] 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, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: 29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” That includes everyone!

Now I want you to picture this; you are out of the state when you have a child and 8 days later you take that child to church with people you’ve never seen before. And when you walk through the door this old man comes up to you and takes your baby out of your arms and lifts him up to heaven while praising God. How would you respond?
• I ask this question because the text doesn’t say they maced him or freak out (this is their first born 😊).
• But we also have to recount that both Mary and Joseph have had 1) separate visits from the angel Gabriel, and 2) both know Mary became pregnant by immaculate conception, and 3) Elizabeth foretold Mary’s birth when she wasn’t yet showing, when both her and the baby in her womb leapt for joy. And 4) they heard from the shepherds of the host of angels which told them to come worship the newborn Savior.
• And this was another one of those miraculous events. So, where’s the tipping point? I mean, when did they have enough encounters with the work of God to just begin to accept it to be their new reality?

Folks, I ask this question because we have seen so many amazing works of God in our lives and I’m wondering if we have passed over the tipping point?
• I know some clearly have, some are clearly faking it, and some refuse to acknowledge the amazing intervention, outreach and communication of God with us.
• I hope and pray this very day those who have not tipped into faith and excited anticipation of what God will do next, will begin to return to Him with the faith of a child.
• And for those who have, I pray you become contagious and never take Him for granted.

33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 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 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

This message started out with the good news of the salvation which had come for all people (both Jew and Gentile [vs. 32]), but now just took what I imagine was an unexpected turn for so many.
• This wasn’t the message of universalism which suggests all people will go to heaven regardless of what they believe. For, just because Jesus came, did not mean everyone would choose to receive His gift of eternal salvation (Acts 4:12, Matt. 7:13-14).
• Additionally, Simeon foretold that Jesus would have many who would target and speak against Him because they didn’t want to give up their power or position over other people. And therefore, Jesus coming to set others free was unacceptable to them.

And finally, He gave warning to Mary about how difficult it would be being the mother of the Messiah.
• And once He began His ministry, the animosity of those we just mentioned would even bring her to the point of wondering if He had lost His mind (Mark 3:21, 31).
• And ultimately, she would see the violence done to Him, and watching Him die a brutal death. Thank goodness the resurrection was only three days away!

36 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; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years [over 100 years old], who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 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. [she just couldn’t stop talking about Him- I hope that describes us too]

Both Simeon and Anna where so tuned into the Spirit of God because they were full out living for Him. And as a result, they both were prepared to hear and be moved without trepidation. I believe we all secretly want to be like Simeon or Anna in their ability to move so confidently in their understanding of what God is doing. And to be so bold in that confidence that they we’re not even worried about what a single person might think.
• But here’s the key. They both loved the Lord with all their heart, mind, soul and strength (Luke 10:27).
• They weren’t living compartmentalized lives where parts belonged to God and others were kept for self. And they were not deciding for themselves the modern interpretation of God’s word according to their evolving morality and understandings (because the law was thousands of years old now).
• These two had set themselves fully apart to the service of the Lord. And that’s available to anyone of us who choose the same today. And with that comes the clarity and confidence in Him we all desire!!!

39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

Now other than the wise men coming later to visit Jesus (Matt. 2:1-12) and then Joseph and Mary having to take Jesus into Egypt to keep Him from being killed by Herod’s decree (Matt. 2:13-23), this is all we know of the childhood of Jesus until this next account.

41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover [one day]. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43 When they had finished the days [the weeklong feast of unleavened bread], as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances.

Now, its really important to start off the rest of the events of today’s study with a clear understanding that Jesus, who fulfilled all the law, would certainly have honored His mother and father (Deut. 5:16, Ex. 21:17). So, any commentary or teaching you might read that makes Jesus a little rowdy or mischievous is just plain wrong.
• So, whether orchestrated by God the Father or truly accidental, Jesus wasn’t acting out.
• So, kids, don’t get any ideas that you get a pass here 😊. After all Eph. 6:1-3 says “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”
• But I can’t help but think of how His parents where feeling, for its one thing to lose a child but they just lost the Savior of the world!

45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.

There are some other uninspired accounts that tell of miracles Jesus did as a child, but we know Jesus didn’t start His ministry until He was 30, so those are fabrications. What we do find here is His understanding of truth.
• Throughout time people have been looking for signs and wonders, when what we’ve needed all along is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). And in their midst, all three housed in one 12-year-old boy!
• What I want to know is did they know, like Simeon and Anna, that they were with the Messiah?
• Honestly, I think there are many times where people are having an encounter with Jesus (both the saved and unsaved) and because they’re focused on something other than the truth for their verification, they exit that experience never knowing.

In John 8:31-32 “Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Folks, like anyone else, I love to see a miracle of God. But what we need more than a miracle is for God to 1) hear us when we sit with Him, 2) asking us questions to get us thinking, and then 3) giving us understanding as He share the truth we need to hear. And the beauty is we have that right now. Let’s not miss it!

48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” 49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. 51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Remember, Jesus isn’t being snarky with them here, He is simply stating truth. Yet in their panic (not His), it went right over their heads. Folks, even here we have some great lessons; 1) when we get a little panicky over the events in life, Jesus is always going to be the calm one (Luke 8:22-25).
• I’m so grateful for that because as a person who meets with people on some of their hardest days, I know just being there without any agenda other than to support them, is a huge gift. And Jesus is always there being the voice of reason and our source of reassurance.
• 2) But we’re also reminded that once someone has had their system shocked like this, it might take a bit for them come down off the stress response before they can take in truth.
• And so, 12-year-old Jesus responded as God the Father has instructed all children, by 1) answering clearly and 2) then respecting their authority over His life at this time.
o And no- your parents didn’t pay me to say this 😊. It’s in the bible!

And again, as we found when the shepherds came, Mary kept all these things in her heart. Pondering is of such great importance and I’m afraid it’s something too many of us “responsible,” “busy,” or “relaxing” people fail to make enough room for.
• Did you take some time this season to ponder the true meaning and implications of Christmas? If you did, I can guarantee it was rich beyond measure.
• And maybe today is a great time to ponder on things like 1) our righteous God purposefully identify with sinful humanity to save us. Or 2) where the tipping point of faith is that causes us to accept and expect the supernatural works of God to show up in our lives naturally. Or 3) if you are in a place in your following God where you’re constant prepared to hear and be moved by Him. Or 4) pondering if you’re living a compartmentalized or evolving morality and understanding existence in spite of Gods truth. Or, 5) if a youth, you live in such a way as to speak clearly and submit to your parents. Or, or, or…
• It’s called pondering, and it’s good for the soul. Will you make room for the Lord to deposit treasures in your heart by spending time pondering with Jesus? I hope so.