This text introduces us to two people. We're only going to talk about the first, Simeon and Anna.
Simeon took a particular interest in baby Jesus and announced a blessing on him that left Mary
and Joseph in a state of awe. And for the purpose of our study this morning, I want to
latch on to a specific phrase that Simeon uses. Look at it there in verse 30. And he says,
My eyes have seen your salvation. My eyes have seen your salvation.
Of course, we've noted throughout these last six weeks that Jesus is the Savior who has come to
earth from heaven. But in this passage, I think we are compelled by Luke to move on from the fact
of Jesus' coming to the purpose of his coming. And this word salvation that Simeon uses in verse 30
perfectly summarizes the purpose for which Jesus came. And using this interaction with Simeon, I want
to show you three things about the person and the work of Jesus and this child. I want to show you
that Jesus himself is our salvation. I want to show you also that the events surrounding his birth
ultimately serve the purpose of pointing forward to his inevitable death. He's our salvation. His birth is
not about his birth. His birth is really about his death. And there's things that are happening here
in the passage we just read that make that very clear. And then the last thing that maybe you'll see
is that Jesus might not be the kind of Savior that you expected.
I think for most people, maybe even the people who came to adore him in these passages,
Jesus the Savior ended up being quite a surprise to them. I think there's some things that we can
notice in these passages as we go. Again, latching onto that word salvation. First thing is this,
I want you to see salvation symbolized. Salvation symbolized. Now, surely we can feel some sympathy
for Mary and Joseph at this point in the narrative. An angel has just informed them in recent months
that their new child is the Son of God and the Messiah. And that led to a series of other encounters
that all have served the purpose of affirming that truth for Mary and Joseph. Now, becoming new parents
is frightening enough on its own. Perhaps you remember the moment that maybe Ashlyn
just turned 11 last week, and we were talking about a picture that I have of the first time
that I ever held Ashlyn right after she was born. And I can remember some of the feelings of,
I'm responsible for this. Like, if we mess this up, Julie, we've messed a lot up. Like, there's some
serious implications to our ability to care for this child that we've been given. Okay, that's scary
enough on its own. Now, put yourself in Mary and Joseph's shoes. An angelic figure has come to you
and has said, not only are you going to have a child, but this child is the Messiah. This is the
Son of God, and it's up to you to raise Him. You're going to have to be responsible for His care. You're
going to have to be responsible to train Him and to raise Him to be a good Jewish young man,
perhaps, is what's in their mind. Can you imagine the pressure? And they got off to a terrible start
because they had to make this 90-mile walk from Nazareth to Bethlehem. And upon getting there,
they can't even find a decent place for Mary to give birth when she goes into labor. And surely,
you men can identify, perhaps, with Joseph, who probably is just thinking of himself as such a failure.
Here, his wife is giving birth to the Son of God, and the best that he could do was a filthy manger
to provide for this new child. And certainly, there's some excitement, maybe a bit of adrenaline rush as the
shepherds rush down and they visit, but eventually the shepherds leave, and it's just them.
It's just them amidst the animals. And perhaps there's a moment in all of that where Mary looks
at Joseph and says, what do we do now? What are we supposed to do? There's no manual here on how to
raise the Messiah. Like, is there special instructions we're supposed to follow? The angel didn't tell us
all of that. He just said, you're going to have a son, and this is who he'll be, and this is what you
should name him. And as we'll see in verses 21 to 24, the answer is that they did exactly what the
law of God said to do. That's what they went with. After eight days, they circumcised Jesus. They gave
him the name that was supposed to be given to him. Then after 40 days, they journeyed to Jerusalem
so that they could present him to God in exactly the way that God's law had said to do it. Now, it's not
the main point of the text, and it's not the main point of the message, but it is helpful nonetheless
to note that in a moment of uncertainty, Joseph and Mary didn't wait for a sign in the sky
before they decided what to do next. Oh, it was ordinary, routine faithfulness to God and to God's
word that actually marked their lives. Alistair Begg was so helpful on this, and I've listened to him
preach this passage, and he said, some of us are waiting to see what God does before we do what God
says. And he says that's completely upside down. Joseph and Mary said, we will do what God says,
and then we'll see what God does. And there is just a helpful side note here for us, isn't there,
that just the ordinary faithfulness, they immediately upon not knowing what to do,
not having any further instruction, they immediately went to the word of God, and they said,
what does the word say for us to do? What does God say in his law that we are to do? And
that's what they did. And it was through that ordinary obedience, that ordinary faithfulness,
that God began to do this work in their lives, that God provided for them everything that they needed
to raise this child exactly as he intended. And I think that's a helpful note for us, maybe just to
tuck in the back of our minds as we move forward. Now look at verse 21. At the end of eight days, when he
was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
And when the time came for their purification, according to the law of Moses, they brought him
up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. As it is written in the law of the Lord, every male who
first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord, and to offer a sacrifice according to what is
said in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons. Now the routine faithfulness of
Joseph and Mary to do the things described in these verses may not seem like much, but it is actually of
utmost importance as we understand the person of Jesus. Each step they took was either in obedience to
God's law or in obedience to the direct instruction given through the angel. And their actions are
important on two levels. The first is this, it was necessary that Jesus perfectly fulfill God's law.
It was necessary that Jesus perfectly fulfill God's law. He said this himself, Matthew chapter five,
the sermon on the mountain, Jesus says, do not think I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. So that for Jesus to be the Savior, for him to
actually be the one to bring us salvation, it wasn't enough for him just to stay out of trouble.
This isn't only about his sinlessness. There is also this dynamic of fulfillment in Christ.
It was necessary that he fulfill all the laws, that he fulfill all the pictures, that he fulfill all the
promises recorded in the Old Testament. But as a baby, baby Jesus has no control over his own
circumcision. He has no control over his own presentation to the Lord. Things that would be
necessary for him to be the fulfillment of what those things were to picture in the plan of salvation.
No, God providentially used Joseph and Mary's ordinary obedience so that he could fulfill his saving
purposes in Christ Jesus. Do you see that? Jesus sat eight days old, didn't look up at Mary and say,
all right, Mary, it's time. We better get this taken care of. Don't forget the angel said, Jesus,
yes, make sure you do that. Jesus doesn't do that. No. He uses Mary and Joseph's ordinary
obedience and faithfulness to accomplish his purpose.
Now, I imagine there were many days that they felt keenly the weight of responsibility given to them.
But the fact of the matter is that God's purposes could never be thwarted.
Joseph and Mary weren't perfect people. They weren't perfect parents, but they had a perfect son,
and God was using them to accomplish his purposes, and there was nothing that they were going to do
that was going to keep God from doing that. He raised them up for this task. And though they
weren't perfect, he sovereignly governed their lives so that his will would be accomplished through them.
Now, in their minds, they just thought, we're just doing what every good Jewish family does.
I doubt Joseph was sitting in Bethlehem thinking, you know, if we don't do this, he won't be the Savior.
No, that's not what they're thinking. But their obedience, whether they understood it or not,
was far more necessary to God's plan than that. And I don't know about you, but I find incredible comfort in that.
The Christian life is dynamic.
That there's no failure
that I can exhibit
that will hinder
God's sovereign purposes in this world.
Even when I do fail,
and when I do sin,
it is because God is allowing that to take place
in order that he might accomplish
his purposes in my life
and in the lives of others.
And I find comfort in the fact
that as I go about my evangelism,
perhaps, or as I go about
raising my children, doing as much
as I can to the glory of God, recognizing
that I'm an imperfect father,
and I'm an imperfect pastor,
and I'm an imperfect Christian,
I'm an imperfect friend,
and all of those kinds of things.
That God is always working
in me. He's always working
through me
to do his will
in my life and in the lives
of people around me.
And that's exactly what he's doing
with Mary and Joseph.
So it's first important on that level
that Jesus had to be
the fulfillment of all of these things.
And he is that,
and God uses Mary and Joseph's
ordinary faithfulness for it.
But the second reason
this is so important
is that these actions
were symbols
of the salvation
Jesus had come to provide.
Or symbols.
Now, we don't have time
to go into all of the details here.
I'll have to leave it to you
to look into some of these things
on your own,
but let's just touch
on the three things here.
First is circumcision.
Circumcision was a sign
of the Abrahamic covenant.
It marked Israel's
national identity
as the people of God.
It was a command of God
for them to fulfill
in obedience to him.
But it was also meant by God
as an object lesson
of the need for cleansing
from sin.
This act of circumcision
reminded them
that from the very moment of birth,
they are guilty in Adam,
that they are under sin,
that they have a nature of sin.
And this act of circumcision
communicated to the people
over and over
their need for cleansing,
their need for mercy,
and their need for grace.
It was a physical symbol
of the spiritual cleansing
of the heart
that takes place at salvation.
And of course,
circumcision was never capable
of providing salvation,
but it did remind the people
that they needed salvation.
And so it's necessary
that Jesus go through this
to fulfill the law of God
and to point toward the symbol
that it represented.
The second thing is Jesus' name.
Jesus' name.
And it's also an important symbol
of salvation,
as was noted by
the angelic message
to Joseph
in Matthew 1.
She will bear a son,
the angel says,
and you shall call his name
Jesus,
for he will save his people
from their sins.
We've talked about this before.
Jesus is the
Greek equivalent
of the
Old Testament
named Joshua,
which means
God will save.
Yahweh will save.
So even the name of Jesus
communicates
that God
had sent him
to bring salvation.
And then the third thing here
is the sacrifice
that they made.
If you want to learn
more about this,
you can go to
Leviticus chapter 12,
and I think it's
Exodus chapter 13,
and you'll see
all the things
that the law
had laid out here.
But in short,
the law considered
a woman who gave birth
ceremonially unclean
for a certain period of time.
And it depended,
the time frame
depended on whether
or not their child
was a boy
or a girl.
Now why there was
a difference,
I don't know.
We'll have to ask the Lord
when we get to heaven
one day,
but there was a difference.
If you had a boy,
you had to wait
seven days
for the initial part
of their ceremonial cleansing,
and then on the eighth day
is when the circumcision
was necessary for the boy.
Then after that,
they waited another
33 days.
And after 33 days,
that's when they would have
presented the boy
to the Lord.
That's when the mother
would be considered
ceremonially clean
and could go to the temple
and could participate
in all the things
of worship in Israel
that were necessary.
If it was a baby girl,
it's different.
All of those things
were doubled.
Had to wait 14 days initially,
and then another 66 days
beyond that.
So when we see
that Mary and Joseph
have come to the temple,
and they have come
to present baby Jesus
to the Lord,
the time frame here
is all related
to Leviticus chapter 12.
But the thing
that was necessitated
in the law
was a sacrifice.
And there were
two parts to it.
The first part
was a one-year-old lamb
for a burnt offering.
The second part
was a young pigeon
or a turtle dove
that would be
for a sin offering.
But the law
made a provision
for those
who couldn't afford
a lamb.
If they didn't
have a lamb
or they couldn't afford
to purchase a lamb,
they could offer
two birds
instead of just
one bird,
and that would be enough
for the burnt offering
and for the sin offering.
And so clearly,
we see Mary and Joseph's
poverty coming through
as they didn't even
have the money
to pay for the lamb
at this point.
But then they go
through the process,
and what is it
that they're doing
as they offer
these sacrifices?
They're recognizing
their need for atonement.
They're recognizing
their need for
cleansing,
forgiveness from God.
You see,
everything the Bible
records about Jesus
ultimately points forward
to his salvation.
And the events
of his death,
his birth,
ultimately point
toward his purpose,
which was that
he came to die.
He came to be
that sacrifice.
He came to be
that agent
of cleansing
that would provide
true cleansing
from sin.
We're in desperate
need of that cleansing.
Jesus provides
the salvation
we need
by dying
as our sacrificial lamb.
So we see here,
salvation symbolized.
Number two,
salvation personified.
Salvation
personified.
Look with me
at verse 25.
Now there was a man
in Jerusalem
whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous
and devout,
waiting for
the consolation
of Israel.
And the Holy Spirit
was upon him.
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.
Christ.
And he came
in 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.
So Luke sets
the scene for us.
He mentions
Simeon's character
and faith
first.
Three things
just to note
in passing about it.
We see first
that Simeon
was devoted
to God.
Luke says
he was righteous
and devout
meaning he was
obedient to God's word
and careful
to live his life
for God's glory.
So this is a unique man.
He's devoted to God.
Secondly,
Luke tells us
about his faith
in God's promises.
His faith
in God's promises.
That he was
waiting
for the consolation
of Israel
means that
Simeon was
a disciplined
student of the Bible.
That he was filled
with expectancy
about the Lord's Christ.
And then finally
we're told
that Simeon
was used
by God.
So the Spirit
of God
reveals to Simeon.
We're not told
how or in what way
but reveals
to Simeon
that he would
see the Messiah
before he dies.
And then the Holy Spirit
leads him
into the temple
at precisely
the time
that Joseph
and Mary
are arriving
at the temple
to present
Jesus
to God
according to the law.
And here's
the simple thing.
Just like
every believer
God's salvation
was revealed
to Simeon
by the Holy Spirit
through the Holy Scriptures.
There's no difference
here for him
than there is
for any other person
that comes to Christ.
The Spirit
leads us.
The Spirit
guides us.
The Spirit
opens our understanding
of God's Word
in order that
we might be saved.
Look at verse 28.
Here's what Simeon did.
He took him up
in his arms
and he blessed God
and said,
Lord,
now your servant,
you are letting
your servant
depart in peace
according to your word.
For my eyes
have seen your salvation
that you have prepared
in the presence
of all peoples.
A light
for revelation
to the Gentiles
and for glory
to your people Israel.
And his father
and mother marveled
at what was said
about him.
So directed
by the Holy Spirit,
Simeon immediately
knew that Jesus
was the promised
Christ.
And he took
the baby up
in his arms
and he began
to worship God.
And again,
Simeon's character
and faith
are revealed here.
The word used
for Lord
that translates
Lord here
is the Greek word
despotes.
Now that's not
the typical word
for Lord
in the New Testament.
Typically it's
kurios,
but not here.
It's despotes,
despot.
Most often
this is used
in the New Testament
to translate
slave owner.
And then he follows
it up with servant.
Dulos
literally means slave.
This tells us
something not about
the dynamics
of slavery
in that time.
It tells us
something about
Simeon's mind
toward God.
He viewed God
as his Lord,
as having full control,
full authority
over everything
that Simeon did
and thought
and believed
and he's recognizing
in this moment
of worship
that God
is his Lord,
that he is
the slave of God.
He is the servant
of God.
And we see
his character,
his godliness,
his devoutness,
his righteousness
coming through.
The point is
that he viewed
his whole life
as being devoted
to God
and his purposes,
a distinguishing
mark for a Christian.
And then his faith
was in God's word.
Did you see that?
He says,
now you're letting
your servant
depart in peace
according to
your word.
Another distinguishing
mark
of a Christian.
But it's the rest
of Simeon's statement
that I want to
draw your attention to.
There's two things
of note here
about his recognition
of God's salvation.
First,
salvation
is a person.
It's a person.
For my eyes
have seen
your salvation.
He doesn't say
I have experienced
God's salvation.
No.
He says
I have seen
your salvation.
So when he looked
at baby Jesus
under the inspiration
of the Holy Spirit,
Simeon knew
he was gazing
upon the one
and only Savior.
You see,
Simeon knew
that salvation
is not a place
like heaven.
So when we share
the gospel,
we don't win people
to heaven
because salvation
is not heaven.
Simeon recognized
that salvation
is not
a
thing
like
material
or
wealth
or prosperity.
So when we
share the gospel,
we're not
persuading people
to a better life
because that's not
what salvation is.
Salvation is in
a better life.
Simeon understood
that salvation
was not an ideal
state
of inner peace
or a fulfillment.
So when we
invite people
to the gospel,
we're not inviting
them to a new
spiritual level
of peace
that's going to
finally settle
all the chaos
in their lives
and it's going to
set their minds
exactly where
their minds
need to be.
That's not the
message of salvation.
Salvation is a
person
in Simeon's eyes.
Salvation is
Jesus.
And to receive
salvation is not
to grasp
onto health
or wealth
or personal
fulfillment.
It's to leave
all of those
things actually.
At least your
primary desire
for all of those
things and to
cling trustingly
to the baby.
To cling
trustingly
to the Savior.
To cling
trustingly
to Jesus.
Salvation is
a person.
So when we
share the gospel
we're sharing
a person.
We're bringing
people to a
person.
But then
salvation is
also we see
here for all
peoples.
Salvation is
for all peoples.
Look at what
Simeon says.
This salvation
is prepared in
the presence of
all peoples.
A light for
revelation to
the Gentiles for
glory to your
people Israel.
excuse me.
So Jesus is
salvation and
Jesus is for
everyone who
will come to
him in
repentance and
faith.
Simeon's actually
quoting Isaiah
here.
In Isaiah
chapter 49
is God
speaking of
the Messiah
says is it
to light a
thing that you
should be my
servant to
raise up the
tribes of Jacob
and bring back
the preserved of
Israel.
I will make
you as a
light for the
nations God
says.
That salvation
may reach to
the ends of
the earth.
Jesus would
later identify
himself in this
way.
Remember John
chapter 8.
Again Jesus
spoke to them
saying I am
the light of
the world.
Whoever follows
me will not
walk in darkness
but will have
the light of
life.
John affirmed
this at the
beginning of his
gospel in John
chapter 1 he
said the true
light which gives
light to everyone
was coming into
the world.
He was in the
world and the
world was made
through him yet
the world did
not know him.
He came to his
own and his own
people did not
receive him.
but to all who
did receive him
who believed in
his name he
gave the right to
become the
children of God
who were born
not of blood or
of the will of
the flesh nor
of the will of
man but of
God.
And here's the
point.
Jesus is the
only light that
can overcome the
darkness of sin in
your life and in
my life.
And according to
the Bible to
receive salvation is
to receive Jesus
and the way you
receive Jesus is by
believing in his
name.
Then and only
then will we
receive forgiveness
of sin.
Then and only
then will we be
reconciled to God
in peace as his
children.
We're almost
finished.
The third thing I
want you to see is
salvation
clarified.
So we've seen
salvation symbolized.
We've seen
salvation personified.
I want you to see
salvation clarified.
Excuse me.
Generally the
Jews believe that
the Messiah would
be a towering
political military
leader.
And that
ultimately the
salvation that he
brought would be
the destruction of
Israel's enemies.
Jesus actually
proved to be a
surprising Messiah
for them at
least in that he
did not meet those
expectations.
You remember in our
study of Mark even
the disciples didn't
grasp all of this
until after Jesus'
crucifixion and
resurrection.
See Jesus' focus
was not on
deliverance from
Rome.
His focus was on
deliverance from
sin.
His peace was not a
national peace.
It was a peace with
God.
The life that he
offered was not
full of material
prosperity.
He actually promised
the opposite in many
cases.
It was a life of
spiritual prosperity.
mercy.
But Simeon turns his
attention here in
verses 34 and 35 to
Mary in particular.
And he pronounces a
prophetic blessing on
Joseph and Mary.
And there's a
mysterious prophecy in
this of what the
child's future would
be.
Look at verse 34.
We're almost there.
Simeon blessed them
and said to Mary his
mother,
Behold this child is
appointed for the fall
and rising of many
in Israel for a sign
that is opposed.
And then he kind of
has this side statement
for Mary and a sword
will pierce through
your own soul also.
So that thoughts from
many hearts may be
revealed.
Jesus' life and
ministry as you know
would expose and
confront Israel's sin
particularly their
spiritual pride.
He would reveal the
true nature of their
hearts so that the
spiritually arrogant
would be judged and
the humble would
ultimately be exalted.
So Jesus confronts
those who trusted
their Jewish heritage
or their commitment
to the law.
He judged them.
He condemned those
people.
while he acknowledged
that or those who
acknowledge their sin
and cast themselves
on the mercy of God
were saved.
And you can step back
and you can read the
Gospels again and you'll
see that this was
consistently the teaching
and the interactions
that Jesus had.
Those who constantly
trusted in how they
were brought up.
Those who constantly
trusted in their
religious associations
and their religious
observances.
observances God
or Jesus condemned
those people.
He told them
straight out
I didn't come
for you.
No it was the
humble
the
abased
those who
acknowledged their
sin
who cast themselves
not on their own
goodness or efforts
but cast themselves
on the mercy of God
those were the ones
that Jesus
went to.
And this comes
through most
clearly in Jesus'
interactions with
the Pharisees.
We could go to
several places.
Let's just look at
one.
You're in Luke.
Would you flip over
to chapter 18?
Just quickly
chapter 18 of Luke.
You probably know
the story well
but I think it would
serve us well as we
finish to look at it
together.
Luke 18
verse 9
Jesus also
told this parable
to some
who trusted
in themselves
that they
were righteous
and in doing
that they
treated others
with contempt.
These are the
people Jesus
is addressing.
He's telling
this parable
about them.
Here's the
parable.
Two men
went up into
the temple
to pray.
One was a
Pharisee
the other
a tax collector.
We're looking
at two
completely
opposite people
here as far
as culture
was concerned
in their day.
The Pharisee
standing by
himself
prayed
thus
God I
thank you
that I'm
not like
other men
extortioners
unjust
adulterers
or even
like this
tax collector
I fast
twice a week
I give
tithes
of all
that I
get
but the
tax collector
standing
far off
would not
even lift
up his
eyes
to heaven
but beat
his breast
saying
God
be merciful
to me
a sinner
notice
what Jesus
says
I tell
you
this man
went down
to his
house
justified
rather than
the other
for everyone
who exalts
himself
will be
humbled
but the
one who
humbles
himself
will be
exalted
this is
such an
important
parable
of the
Lord
because
we see
the same
dynamic
play out
all the
time
if you're
around
Christians
or those
who
profess
Christianity
you see
this all
the time
there are
those who
fit this
equation
of what
this
Pharisee
was
God
I
thank you
that I'm
not as
bad as
those
people
I
thank you
that I've
never been
guilty of
homosexuality
I'm thankful
that I
have never
been guilty
of abortion
or influencing
somebody in
that way
I thank you
Lord that
you didn't
make me
like them
but instead
you have
given me
the wisdom
to go
and give
my money
to the
church
you've
given
me
the wisdom
to actually
go to
the church
services
and I
do this
and I
do that
and look
at my
upbringing
and look
at all
that I
have done
I have
all the
pedigree
that's
necessary
to be
a
Christian
and Jesus
looks at
those people
and he
says they
will not
inherit
the
kingdom
of heaven
he looks
rather
at the
one
who stands
far off
who's
unwilling
in acknowledging
their own
sinful condition
to even lift
their eyes
up to God
who beats
their breast
and says
have mercy
on me
God
have mercy
on me
a sinner
have mercy
on me
for all
the times
that I
thought
being a
good
Christian
boy
or a
good
Christian
girl
was enough
to get
to heaven
was enough
to get
peace
with God
forgive
me
for all
the times
that I
have rebelled
forgive me
for all
the times
that I
have been
filled
with spiritual
pride
have mercy
on me
God
Jesus
says
that's the
one who
goes home
justified
that's the
one to
whom God's
grace has
been given
that's the
one
who can
take
assurance
in the
reality
of their
salvation
Jesus
says
you see
Jesus
is a
surprising
savior
for many
people
Simeon
says
this
one
will
be
appointed
for the
rising
and the
fall
of many
in Israel
the
rising
of the
prostitutes
the
rising
of the
tax
collectors
the
rising
of the
publicans
and the
fall
of the
Pharisees
and the
fall
of the
Sadducees
and the
fall
of the
others
who were
so filled
with spiritual
pride
as to think
that their
salvation
had anything
to do
with them
Simeon's
prophecy
comes to be
very true
as we read
the gospels
but he
doesn't stop
there
it was for
this reason
that Jesus
was opposed
by many
in Israel
to the
point
that they
sought to
execute him
and you
see how
Simeon's
prophecy
is working
here
and we
see
this is
exactly
what
Jesus
did
Jesus
went
through
and he
he's
telling
parables
like this
about how
Pharisees
are going
to go
to hell
and how
tax collectors
are going
to go
to heaven
that didn't
win him
a lot
of fan
favorites
Jesus
became
opposed
so that
the religious
elite
and the
powerful
of his
day
fought
against
him
because
he
was
a
surprising
messiah
he
wasn't
the
savior
they
actually
wanted
they
wanted
the
savior
that
would
come
and
say
you've
been
good
little
Jews
and
good
little
Pharisees
and
good
little
priest
and
good
little
!
they
wanted
deliverance
from
Rome
and
they
wanted
themselves
to be
elevated
and
when
Jesus
came
clearly
showing
the power
of God
on his
life
clearly
teaching
in a way
that people
were drawn
to
because
he
was
the
son
of
God
because
he
wasn't
the
messiah
they
expected
they
rejected
him
and
Simeon
said
this
is
what
will
happen
he
will
be
a
sign
that
is
opposed
and
that's
exactly
what
happened
with
Jesus
life
he
was
opposed
to
the
point
that
he
was
crucified
and
then
there's
this
little
side
statement
for
Mary
a
sword
that
pierced
Mary's
soul
as
well
you
mothers
surely
you
can
relate
to
this
what
it
must
have
been
like
for
Mary
to
sit
in
Nazareth
that
that's
where
she
remained
during
the
days
of
Jesus
ministry
wondering
where
her
boy
was
knowing
that
as
Jesus
said
to
one
man
the
son
of
man
he
has
got
no
place
to
lay
his
head
foxes
have
holes
and
birds
have
nests
Jesus
said
but
I
have
no
!
I
have
no
place
to
lay
my
head
and
perhaps
Mary
hearing
Jesus
saying
that
at
some
point
along
the
way
in
his
ministry
perhaps
she
lays
awake
at
night
wondering
where
is
my
boy
today
is
he
safe
has
he
had
food
today
remember
when
Jesus
visited
his
hometown
in
Nazareth
they
were
so
offended
by
his
teaching
in
the
synagogue
that
they
tried
to
murder
him
right
then
and
there
they
tried
to
cast
him
off
of
a
cliff
you
know
Mary
was
there
what
it
must
have
been
like
for
her
to
walk
through
town
and
hear
the
snickers
or hear
the
reviling
that
came
from
the
others
that
were
in
Nazareth
or
that
were
passing
through
when
she
visited
Capernaum
to
hear
of
the
plots
against
her
son
that
were
taking
place
for
three
years
to
have
him
put
to
death
what
it
must
have
been
like
for
Mary
to
stand
at
Golgotha
and gaze
for those
six
hours
at
the
broken
body
of
her
son
as
he
died
on
the
cross
yes
a
sword
pierced
her
soul
too
but
it
was
this
very
opposition
that
God
determined
to
use
to
bring
us
salvation
it
was
Christ's
crucifixion
that
made
an
atonement
for
our
sins
and
through
it
he
fulfilled
his
purpose
as
the
savior
and
Simeon
here
with
a
measure
of
mystery
especially
to
Mary
and
Joseph
at
least
at
this
point
prophetically
states
and
clarifies
the
purpose
of
salvation
how
it
would
actually
come
the
wonderful
truth
of
this
verse
is
what
we
call
the
doctrine
of
imputation
We read
it in
2 Corinthians
5
for our
sake
God
made
him
to
be
sin
who
knew
no
sin
so
that
in
him
we
might
become
the
righteousness
of
God
that's
the
transaction
that
happens
on
Calvary
Jesus
the
righteous
one
has
the
wrath
of
God
poured
on
him
our
sin
imputed
onto
Christ
so
that
by
faith
God
then
imputes
the
righteousness
of
Christ
onto
us
salvation
had
nothing
to do
with
Rome
salvation
had
everything
to do
with
sin
this
is
how
Jesus
became
our
savior
and
man's
response
to
this
gospel
is
how
Jesus
reveals
the
true
thoughts
of
our
hearts
that
was
the
final
thing
that
Simeon
said
he
will
reveal
the
true
thoughts
of
our
hearts
how
does
he
do
that
by
how
we
respond
to
this
gospel
message
you
can be
a
Christian
all
day
and not
be
a
Christian
it's
when it
comes
down
to
the
actual
truth
of
the
gospel
that
reveals
the
truth
of
what
is
in
your
heart
it's
not
about
all
those
exterior
things
that
all
of
us
are
really
good
at
faking
it's
not
about
that
it's
what
do
you
do
with
Jesus
what
will
you
do
with
Jesus
and
who
would
have
thought
that
a
man's
interaction
with
a
young
couple
their
new
baby
would
be
so
helpful
in
helping
us
to
understand
the
significance
of
this
child
we're
closing
this
study
of
the
narrative
of
Jesus
birth
today
and
I
hope
that
you
have
seen
through
this
maybe
perhaps
seen
afresh
it's
not
that
you
haven't
seen
it
before
I
recognize
that
but
maybe
you've
seen
afresh
the
purpose
for
which
Jesus
came
he
is
salvation
for
everyone
who
will
receive
him
and
to
receive
him
is
to
trust
in
him
alone
as
Lord
and
Savior
and
to
trust
in
him
as
Lord
and
Savior
is
not
a
matter
of
intellectual
ascent
it's
a
life
transforming
work
of
the
Holy
Spirit
of
God
this
is
why
he
came
to
us
and
now
he
invites
us
to
come
to
him
which
is
where
we
leave
it
all
what
will
you
do
with
this
Christ