WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.240 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christchurch. 00:00:05.240 --> 00:00:15.419 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, redistribution, or any other use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christchurch. 00:00:15.419 --> 00:00:22.640 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristchurchEastBay.org. 00:00:24.820 --> 00:00:26.719 Good morning, Christchurch. 00:00:27.140 --> 00:00:33.700 My name is Jocelyn Fidiga, and I'm a part of the team that prepares the element on the second Sunday. 00:00:37.200 --> 00:00:41.359 A reading from the Gospel according to Luke. 00:00:41.359 --> 00:00:50.100 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. 00:00:50.740 --> 00:00:56.320 He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 00:00:57.280 --> 00:01:04.120 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 00:01:04.840 --> 00:01:09.700 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple's courts. 00:01:09.700 --> 00:01:16.540 When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the law required, 00:01:17.560 --> 00:01:20.760 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 00:01:21.859 --> 00:01:27.840 Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace, 00:01:28.400 --> 00:01:34.760 for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations, 00:01:34.760 --> 00:01:40.740 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel. 00:01:41.600 --> 00:01:46.000 The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 00:01:46.580 --> 00:01:50.219 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, 00:01:51.100 --> 00:01:57.260 This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, 00:01:57.260 --> 00:02:01.040 and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 00:02:01.040 --> 00:02:04.700 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed, 00:02:04.960 --> 00:02:07.920 and a sword will pierce your own soul too. 00:02:08.520 --> 00:02:10.640 This is the gospel of the Lord. 00:02:11.300 --> 00:02:12.740 Praise to you, O Christ. 00:02:13.020 --> 00:02:13.580 Good morning. 00:02:14.740 --> 00:02:17.920 You might notice there's a stranger up here. 00:02:17.919 --> 00:02:22.079 I'm Andrew Ong's long-lost brother. 00:02:22.599 --> 00:02:24.039 My name is Jesse. 00:02:25.159 --> 00:02:26.439 We're spiritual brothers. 00:02:26.679 --> 00:02:31.219 I'm a pastor here in the Bay Area in Castro Valley at a church called, 00:02:31.259 --> 00:02:34.379 this is her church of yours called Indelible Grace. 00:02:35.359 --> 00:02:40.319 And Andrew and I got to go to seminary together on the East Coast, 00:02:40.819 --> 00:02:42.199 where there is real winter. 00:02:43.719 --> 00:02:46.939 And it is, it's the first Sunday of the new year. 00:02:47.919 --> 00:02:50.419 I just want to ask a couple questions. 00:02:51.399 --> 00:02:54.500 How are you entering into the new year? 00:02:55.560 --> 00:02:57.199 How are you entering into it? 00:02:58.339 --> 00:02:59.459 Any resolutions? 00:03:01.279 --> 00:03:01.879 Hopes? 00:03:03.859 --> 00:03:04.479 Dreams? 00:03:04.919 --> 00:03:05.560 Anxieties? 00:03:06.399 --> 00:03:07.979 Or maybe to put it differently, 00:03:08.639 --> 00:03:11.619 what are you waiting for this year? 00:03:12.359 --> 00:03:15.179 What do you see in the next year? 00:03:15.180 --> 00:03:20.020 Our scripture passage today is actually about waiting and seeing. 00:03:20.360 --> 00:03:23.260 It's really appropriate for a Sunday like this, 00:03:23.800 --> 00:03:27.640 where we're on the brink of Christmas and the new year. 00:03:28.420 --> 00:03:31.560 And right in the middle of our passage, 00:03:31.740 --> 00:03:32.960 Simeon sings out. 00:03:33.439 --> 00:03:33.719 He says, 00:03:33.819 --> 00:03:36.240 For my eyes have seen your salvation. 00:03:37.240 --> 00:03:39.960 For my eyes have seen your salvation. 00:03:39.960 --> 00:03:42.320 He is seeing something. 00:03:43.640 --> 00:03:44.820 Now for many of us, 00:03:45.640 --> 00:03:48.700 Christianity doesn't naturally register as a way of seeing. 00:03:48.800 --> 00:03:49.560 Maybe you don't, 00:03:49.819 --> 00:03:50.420 you're not a Christian, 00:03:50.580 --> 00:03:53.300 you're here with family or you're seeking. 00:03:54.080 --> 00:03:57.439 Maybe you know that Christianity is something about belief, right? 00:03:58.040 --> 00:03:58.680 Faith. 00:03:58.840 --> 00:04:00.719 Isn't faith not seeing? 00:04:00.719 --> 00:04:05.680 So how and why does Simeon say, 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:08.300 My eyes have seen your salvation? 00:04:10.199 --> 00:04:11.719 Let's pause that question. 00:04:12.500 --> 00:04:16.379 But don't you want to see salvation in your life? 00:04:17.360 --> 00:04:20.360 Like, don't you want some sort of redemption? 00:04:20.579 --> 00:04:23.160 Maybe it's some ailment that you're suffering from. 00:04:23.220 --> 00:04:27.199 Maybe it's a relationship that's estranged. 00:04:27.199 --> 00:04:31.519 Maybe you feel the emptiness of life. 00:04:31.699 --> 00:04:33.399 You want something more. 00:04:33.759 --> 00:04:35.560 You want to see salvation. 00:04:36.639 --> 00:04:37.539 Isn't that beautiful? 00:04:38.500 --> 00:04:40.680 Not just to believe in salvation, 00:04:41.219 --> 00:04:42.639 but to see it. 00:04:43.279 --> 00:04:44.060 To see it. 00:04:44.740 --> 00:04:46.319 That's our question today. 00:04:46.919 --> 00:04:49.839 How do we see like Simeon? 00:04:50.319 --> 00:04:52.079 How do we see like Simeon? 00:04:52.680 --> 00:04:54.399 And here's the big idea. 00:04:54.399 --> 00:04:58.039 Salvation is not just something we believe in. 00:04:59.000 --> 00:05:00.879 Salvation is seen. 00:05:01.759 --> 00:05:03.799 Salvation is not just something we believe in. 00:05:03.879 --> 00:05:04.859 Salvation is seen. 00:05:04.919 --> 00:05:08.039 Would you pray with me as we ask God to open our eyes 00:05:08.039 --> 00:05:09.479 so we might see him? 00:05:09.979 --> 00:05:10.539 Let's pray. 00:05:11.339 --> 00:05:13.139 Oh, Father in heaven, thank you. 00:05:14.060 --> 00:05:15.859 We thank you that we are here safely 00:05:15.859 --> 00:05:19.120 on a rainy, winery day. 00:05:20.199 --> 00:05:23.179 Thank you that we are in your presence, oh Lord. 00:05:23.180 --> 00:05:26.019 And I want to boldly ask, 00:05:26.439 --> 00:05:27.319 Spirit of God, 00:05:28.280 --> 00:05:32.180 the same Spirit who led Simeon to see Jesus, 00:05:32.379 --> 00:05:35.480 would you lead us into the throne room of Jesus? 00:05:35.680 --> 00:05:37.660 Would we see salvation, oh God? 00:05:38.340 --> 00:05:39.740 We ask this in Christ's name. 00:05:40.100 --> 00:05:40.379 Amen. 00:05:41.540 --> 00:05:43.620 So first we need to do some work. 00:05:45.259 --> 00:05:45.420 Right? 00:05:45.519 --> 00:05:48.759 Isn't faith about believing what we can't see? 00:05:48.960 --> 00:05:49.100 Right? 00:05:49.199 --> 00:05:50.439 Salvation is by faith. 00:05:51.220 --> 00:05:51.699 Right? 00:05:51.699 --> 00:05:52.540 Not sight. 00:05:53.180 --> 00:05:55.819 But just to back up in Luke's gospel, 00:05:57.060 --> 00:06:00.920 Luke's gospel actually opens on sight. 00:06:01.579 --> 00:06:03.400 The opening verses of chapter one, 00:06:03.480 --> 00:06:04.400 like a good scholar, 00:06:05.019 --> 00:06:07.600 Luke reports his sources for this gospel. 00:06:07.960 --> 00:06:08.319 And he says, 00:06:08.600 --> 00:06:11.319 hey, I interviewed eyewitnesses, 00:06:11.899 --> 00:06:13.139 people who saw. 00:06:14.600 --> 00:06:15.160 Eyewitness, 00:06:15.319 --> 00:06:16.920 those who saw with their own eyes. 00:06:16.920 --> 00:06:22.920 And then Luke's gospel unfolds with miraculous appearances or sights. 00:06:22.920 --> 00:06:23.199 Right? 00:06:23.199 --> 00:06:26.100 An angel appears to Zechariah in the temple. 00:06:26.100 --> 00:06:28.980 Then Mary sees an angel. 00:06:29.780 --> 00:06:32.120 Joseph sees an angel in Matthew. 00:06:32.780 --> 00:06:36.879 And then the angels appear to the shepherds and give them a visual sign. 00:06:36.939 --> 00:06:41.740 They say, hey, look for a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths. 00:06:41.740 --> 00:06:45.040 And the shepherds say, hey, let's go to Bethlehem and do what? 00:06:45.639 --> 00:06:47.780 See this thing. 00:06:48.519 --> 00:06:49.360 Do you hear the sight? 00:06:50.019 --> 00:06:51.379 It's about visual. 00:06:52.220 --> 00:06:54.860 Christmas is all about seeing. 00:06:56.060 --> 00:06:57.819 Christianity is about sight. 00:06:57.819 --> 00:07:03.180 And Simeon's story is chock full of visuals as well. 00:07:03.259 --> 00:07:04.000 Did you see it? 00:07:04.399 --> 00:07:04.800 Our reading? 00:07:05.740 --> 00:07:10.839 His hymn has eyes, light, sight, presence, glory. 00:07:11.019 --> 00:07:11.759 And again in the middle, 00:07:11.879 --> 00:07:14.800 for my eyes have seen your salvation. 00:07:15.019 --> 00:07:19.019 And this only makes sense because what the Christian claim is, 00:07:19.319 --> 00:07:24.879 is that the invisible God has become visible in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:07:24.879 --> 00:07:29.920 The immortal, the transcendent God who made all things, 00:07:30.779 --> 00:07:34.579 has become a person with flesh. 00:07:34.740 --> 00:07:37.219 The Word made flesh. 00:07:38.040 --> 00:07:39.240 That's the miracle of Christmas. 00:07:39.959 --> 00:07:41.759 So how do we see salvation? 00:07:42.360 --> 00:07:45.659 I'm going to ask two questions for the rest of this sermon. 00:07:46.159 --> 00:07:47.219 How do we see? 00:07:47.860 --> 00:07:48.860 That's the first half. 00:07:49.339 --> 00:07:50.819 How do we see salvation? 00:07:50.819 --> 00:07:54.579 And secondly, how do we know that we've seen salvation? 00:07:55.219 --> 00:07:55.439 Okay? 00:07:55.800 --> 00:07:57.399 How do we see salvation? 00:07:57.540 --> 00:08:00.019 And how do we know that we've seen salvation? 00:08:00.159 --> 00:08:05.560 So the first thing we see in Simeon are two keys to his sight. 00:08:06.240 --> 00:08:10.480 The first key, you must see the desolation. 00:08:11.500 --> 00:08:13.600 You must see the desolation. 00:08:14.219 --> 00:08:16.199 Luke introduces Simeon like this. 00:08:16.199 --> 00:08:16.899 He says, 00:08:16.899 --> 00:08:22.759 This man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel. 00:08:23.979 --> 00:08:28.419 And that phrase, the consolation of Israel, is the first key. 00:08:29.699 --> 00:08:30.259 Consolation. 00:08:30.319 --> 00:08:30.799 What does that mean? 00:08:30.839 --> 00:08:34.319 It means this deep comfort after loss. 00:08:34.679 --> 00:08:35.000 Right? 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:41.159 There is no consolation unless there has first been desolation. 00:08:41.159 --> 00:08:41.559 Desolation. 00:08:42.240 --> 00:08:42.679 Desolation. 00:08:43.439 --> 00:08:50.079 Some of you in a couple weeks will be looking for consolation whenever the 49ers are beat. 00:08:52.419 --> 00:08:53.899 And are out of the playoffs. 00:08:54.219 --> 00:08:56.379 You'll need some sort of consolation. 00:08:57.100 --> 00:08:57.360 Right? 00:08:57.360 --> 00:08:59.720 Well, at least we still have Steph Curry on the Golden State Warriors. 00:08:59.840 --> 00:09:00.300 For now. 00:09:00.860 --> 00:09:01.340 For now. 00:09:03.899 --> 00:09:06.320 Consolation comes after. 00:09:06.879 --> 00:09:09.259 We see consolation in desolation, don't we? 00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:12.899 And Israel knew desolation. 00:09:13.779 --> 00:09:15.019 They knew desolation. 00:09:15.240 --> 00:09:16.980 Centuries of conquest. 00:09:17.519 --> 00:09:18.360 The Babylonians. 00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:19.060 The Persians. 00:09:19.200 --> 00:09:19.600 The Greeks. 00:09:19.740 --> 00:09:20.240 The Romans. 00:09:20.240 --> 00:09:22.639 Time after time. 00:09:22.759 --> 00:09:24.139 Taking over the country. 00:09:25.019 --> 00:09:25.519 Exile. 00:09:25.919 --> 00:09:26.399 Occupation. 00:09:26.860 --> 00:09:27.399 Humiliation. 00:09:27.779 --> 00:09:29.539 And we don't even know the story of Simeon. 00:09:29.600 --> 00:09:32.060 We get so little about Simeon. 00:09:32.200 --> 00:09:33.159 Precious little. 00:09:34.279 --> 00:09:37.360 All we know is that he's righteous and waiting and devout. 00:09:38.180 --> 00:09:40.620 We don't know the ways that desolation has hit him. 00:09:41.899 --> 00:09:45.419 Why is he waiting for the consolation of Israel? 00:09:47.980 --> 00:09:50.120 Do you see the desolation? 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:55.100 Only if you see the desolation will you begin to see salvation. 00:09:56.799 --> 00:09:58.080 Jesus says it this way. 00:09:58.200 --> 00:10:02.440 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 00:10:03.159 --> 00:10:04.460 Who sees salvation? 00:10:04.700 --> 00:10:06.860 It's those who see the desolation. 00:10:07.560 --> 00:10:10.360 And it's not just out there in the world. 00:10:10.440 --> 00:10:12.820 There's plenty of desolation you can see out there. 00:10:13.600 --> 00:10:15.180 It's also in here. 00:10:16.279 --> 00:10:16.539 Right? 00:10:16.580 --> 00:10:17.200 In us. 00:10:17.960 --> 00:10:19.200 In every one of us. 00:10:20.100 --> 00:10:27.660 Simeon says in verse 35 that this child will reveal, quote, the thoughts of many hearts. 00:10:29.160 --> 00:10:31.620 Jesus exposes us. 00:10:32.140 --> 00:10:35.300 He exposes our personal desolations. 00:10:35.299 --> 00:10:38.899 I moved to the Bay Area about two and a half years ago. 00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:40.719 And I'm a historian by training. 00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:47.139 And so I like to look up a bunch of old pictures of San Francisco right after the big earthquake. 00:10:47.139 --> 00:10:48.139 earthquake. 00:10:48.139 --> 00:10:50.139 In the early 1900s. 00:10:51.139 --> 00:10:52.639 And it's incredible. 00:10:53.639 --> 00:10:55.519 Just, it wasn't the earthquake. 00:10:55.679 --> 00:10:56.799 It was the fires. 00:10:57.500 --> 00:10:59.399 The earthquake caused. 00:10:59.659 --> 00:11:00.799 They just burned. 00:11:01.179 --> 00:11:02.139 This thriving. 00:11:02.639 --> 00:11:05.100 The biggest city on the West Coast at that time. 00:11:05.580 --> 00:11:07.519 It was like the New York City of the West Coast. 00:11:07.679 --> 00:11:09.340 It just demolished it. 00:11:09.720 --> 00:11:10.740 Devastated it. 00:11:10.740 --> 00:11:12.960 It's the desolation. 00:11:13.960 --> 00:11:15.440 And you see these ruins. 00:11:16.340 --> 00:11:16.980 These ruins. 00:11:17.159 --> 00:11:20.700 People just standing, looking at the crumbling walls. 00:11:21.840 --> 00:11:25.519 And friends, some of us, like that's our hearts. 00:11:25.519 --> 00:11:29.419 That we're like a city that's been ravaged. 00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:30.460 First by an earthquake. 00:11:30.960 --> 00:11:31.620 And then the fire. 00:11:31.679 --> 00:11:39.059 There's some part of our being and our life that we'd rather not admit that it is desolate. 00:11:40.059 --> 00:11:41.480 We don't want to think about that. 00:11:42.439 --> 00:11:45.199 Do you see the desolation? 00:11:46.500 --> 00:11:48.100 Do you see the desolation? 00:11:49.220 --> 00:11:53.319 Because only those that see the desolation will want something different. 00:11:53.320 --> 00:11:54.960 We'll want something. 00:11:55.300 --> 00:11:56.360 We'll want salvation. 00:11:57.140 --> 00:12:00.340 If you're comfortable here this morning, that's great. 00:12:01.060 --> 00:12:01.879 That's great. 00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:05.500 But Jesus is offering us something different. 00:12:06.120 --> 00:12:07.540 Something for the uncomfortable. 00:12:09.220 --> 00:12:13.220 I have a friend who says, who calls life in the Bay Area. 00:12:14.180 --> 00:12:17.520 He says it fosters a cruise ship mentality. 00:12:18.300 --> 00:12:19.740 A cruise ship mentality. 00:12:20.580 --> 00:12:21.600 The weather's good. 00:12:21.600 --> 00:12:22.940 Well, most of the time. 00:12:23.320 --> 00:12:24.340 Weather's good, right? 00:12:24.820 --> 00:12:25.820 The jobs are good. 00:12:25.900 --> 00:12:26.740 The food is good. 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:28.379 The amenities are endless. 00:12:30.400 --> 00:12:32.800 I had to buy a new pair of pants recently. 00:12:32.960 --> 00:12:36.660 And I realized, as I was trying to figure out what size I am, 00:12:37.140 --> 00:12:42.080 I've not bought non-elastic pants since moving to the Bay Area. 00:12:43.740 --> 00:12:48.140 The Bay Area is elastic pant land, right? 00:12:48.139 --> 00:12:51.399 It just, that's how good life is. 00:12:51.399 --> 00:12:53.100 You never have to wear a belt. 00:12:53.519 --> 00:12:55.519 Never have to wear a belt here. 00:12:57.360 --> 00:13:03.299 But for those of you who are, who see the desolation, there is comfort. 00:13:04.100 --> 00:13:05.199 There is comfort. 00:13:05.439 --> 00:13:09.980 Seeing salvation begins with seeing the desolation. 00:13:09.980 --> 00:13:14.420 But the second thing that Simeon sees is God. 00:13:15.940 --> 00:13:18.620 Seeing desolation alone leads to cynicism. 00:13:19.539 --> 00:13:22.000 Plenty of people see what's wrong and become bitter. 00:13:22.620 --> 00:13:24.060 Just go on social media. 00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:26.659 But Simeon sees something else. 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:29.420 It says he's waiting for the consolation of Israel. 00:13:29.419 --> 00:13:33.339 And that phrase comes straight from Isaiah 40. 00:13:34.219 --> 00:13:36.139 Isaiah 40, which says, comfort. 00:13:36.679 --> 00:13:38.620 Comfort my people, says your God. 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:46.240 Isaiah has spent 39 chapters telling about the destruction and the desolation that Israel is going to go through 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:49.740 because of their own sin, their own turning against God. 00:13:49.959 --> 00:13:54.959 And then all of a sudden, in Isaiah 40, God speaks a new note. 00:13:54.960 --> 00:13:56.740 And he says, comfort. 00:13:58.580 --> 00:13:59.180 Comfort. 00:14:00.300 --> 00:14:00.820 Consolation. 00:14:00.940 --> 00:14:02.800 It's the same Greek word. 00:14:03.800 --> 00:14:04.379 Comfort. 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:05.400 Comfort. 00:14:05.780 --> 00:14:06.860 My people, says your God. 00:14:07.080 --> 00:14:10.379 I'm going to come and I'm going to bring consolation. 00:14:10.920 --> 00:14:14.600 And so Simeon is waiting on this promise in Isaiah 40. 00:14:15.660 --> 00:14:19.220 And what you wait for shapes what you see. 00:14:20.040 --> 00:14:22.240 Waiting is a type of seeing. 00:14:22.980 --> 00:14:23.280 Right? 00:14:23.279 --> 00:14:27.919 If you're stuck on the 80 and late for a meeting, all you see is the clock. 00:14:28.699 --> 00:14:28.919 Right? 00:14:29.779 --> 00:14:33.259 If you're waiting for a vacation, you see suitcases everywhere. 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:37.740 Simeon waits for consolation until he sees it coming. 00:14:38.519 --> 00:14:43.079 He knows, he trusts that God is bringing something else. 00:14:44.120 --> 00:14:45.179 Comfort is coming. 00:14:45.539 --> 00:14:46.779 Redemption is coming. 00:14:48.559 --> 00:14:52.679 Some of us see the promises so, some of us don't see the promises. 00:14:52.679 --> 00:14:53.000 Right? 00:14:53.059 --> 00:14:57.299 We see the desolation so clearly that it eclipses the promise. 00:14:58.219 --> 00:15:04.739 But can we see the promises of God as bigger, better, more bold, and clear in our vision? 00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:08.859 His promises are the coming sunrise. 00:15:08.860 --> 00:15:14.460 But even more than God's promises, Simeon sees God's presence with him. 00:15:15.399 --> 00:15:19.000 Luke emphasizes the Spirit three times. 00:15:19.840 --> 00:15:21.680 Trying to get the point here. 00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:23.460 Verse 25 says, 00:15:23.460 --> 00:15:25.460 The Holy Spirit was upon him. 00:15:26.440 --> 00:15:27.180 Verse 26, 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:30.160 The Holy Spirit revealed the promise. 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:31.820 And then verse 27, 00:15:31.960 --> 00:15:34.960 The Spirit moves him into the temple. 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:39.060 Simeon sees the Spirit, the very presence of God with him. 00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:41.200 And some of you here, 00:15:41.280 --> 00:15:43.040 you know the past promises of God. 00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:43.820 You know your Bible. 00:15:44.820 --> 00:15:47.180 But you don't see the Spirit with you now. 00:15:47.179 --> 00:15:52.659 Do you see God now? 00:15:53.659 --> 00:15:55.079 In the here and the now. 00:15:55.799 --> 00:15:57.059 Not just his promises. 00:15:59.639 --> 00:16:01.000 His presence. 00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:02.799 That's what Timon sees. 00:16:05.239 --> 00:16:06.279 Part of the problem 00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:10.859 is what Charles Taylor, a religious philosopher, 00:16:11.740 --> 00:16:13.339 calls the imminent frame. 00:16:13.340 --> 00:16:14.680 He says, 00:16:14.800 --> 00:16:16.399 We Western moderns, 00:16:16.560 --> 00:16:19.379 we live in an imminent frame. 00:16:20.280 --> 00:16:20.600 Imminent, 00:16:20.700 --> 00:16:22.340 as in the opposite of the transcendent. 00:16:23.180 --> 00:16:25.720 We don't see a transcendent reality. 00:16:26.980 --> 00:16:28.720 All of our cultural life 00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:31.340 emphasizes this worldly life. 00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:34.379 This worldly life. 00:16:35.340 --> 00:16:36.259 He's trying to diagnose, 00:16:36.440 --> 00:16:38.960 Why is it so hard to believe in God 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:41.620 when it wasn't 70 years ago? 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:43.779 Why is it so hard? 00:16:43.860 --> 00:16:46.100 Because everything in our culture 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:47.740 tries to tell us 00:16:47.740 --> 00:16:50.000 that there's not some transcendence. 00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:51.580 That we live in a frame, 00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:52.399 like a house, 00:16:52.899 --> 00:16:54.759 that cuts off the outside, 00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:57.659 the outer transcendent supernatural world. 00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:01.320 The imminent frame 00:17:01.320 --> 00:17:02.419 is the modern habit 00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:03.419 of seeing the world 00:17:03.419 --> 00:17:04.980 as closed to God. 00:17:05.299 --> 00:17:05.619 But listen, 00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:07.380 the gospel opens our eyes 00:17:07.380 --> 00:17:09.279 to a world alive 00:17:09.279 --> 00:17:10.740 with his presence. 00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:12.919 Against the imminent frame 00:17:12.919 --> 00:17:14.059 is the Holy Spirit 00:17:14.059 --> 00:17:15.959 that Simeon sees. 00:17:16.619 --> 00:17:16.959 And you see, 00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:17.599 it's the Spirit 00:17:17.599 --> 00:17:19.379 who enables sight. 00:17:20.399 --> 00:17:21.479 In the Christian doctrine 00:17:21.479 --> 00:17:22.039 of the Trinity, 00:17:22.639 --> 00:17:24.159 each person of God, 00:17:24.299 --> 00:17:25.519 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, 00:17:25.899 --> 00:17:27.539 all perfectly and equally God, 00:17:27.859 --> 00:17:28.699 each one of them 00:17:28.699 --> 00:17:29.739 has a different role, 00:17:29.819 --> 00:17:30.719 a different job 00:17:30.719 --> 00:17:31.459 in salvation. 00:17:32.359 --> 00:17:33.759 And the Holy Spirit 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:35.639 does two main things 00:17:35.639 --> 00:17:36.459 regarding vision. 00:17:36.460 --> 00:17:37.700 first, 00:17:37.819 --> 00:17:38.980 the Spirit heals 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:39.900 our vision. 00:17:40.900 --> 00:17:42.480 The Spirit is an ophthalmologist, 00:17:42.680 --> 00:17:43.799 an optical surgeon. 00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:45.940 He removes our cataracts, 00:17:46.140 --> 00:17:47.180 and He cuts out 00:17:47.180 --> 00:17:48.360 our natural lenses 00:17:48.360 --> 00:17:50.840 to give us new eyes. 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:52.299 But second, 00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:53.519 the Spirit leads us 00:17:53.519 --> 00:17:54.160 to Jesus. 00:17:55.180 --> 00:17:56.519 Like a theater, 00:17:56.799 --> 00:17:58.259 spotlight operator, 00:17:58.720 --> 00:17:59.680 the Spirit's job 00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:01.259 is not to draw attention 00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:01.920 to Himself, 00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:04.319 but to illuminate Christ. 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:05.939 And that's exactly 00:18:05.939 --> 00:18:07.220 what the Spirit does 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:07.919 for Simeon. 00:18:08.419 --> 00:18:09.919 The Spirit speaks to Simeon 00:18:09.919 --> 00:18:11.379 first about the Lord's Messiah, 00:18:11.960 --> 00:18:13.159 and then He leads him 00:18:13.159 --> 00:18:13.720 to the temple 00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:14.700 where Jesus is, 00:18:14.859 --> 00:18:16.639 where He can behold Jesus 00:18:16.639 --> 00:18:18.539 with His own eyes. 00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:19.819 Luke is telling us 00:18:19.819 --> 00:18:20.119 something about 00:18:20.119 --> 00:18:21.220 what the Spirit does. 00:18:21.859 --> 00:18:23.039 The Spirit leads us 00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:24.659 to see Jesus. 00:18:28.599 --> 00:18:29.779 Simeon doesn't technically 00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:30.779 see the Spirit. 00:18:31.679 --> 00:18:33.099 The Holy Spirit is the Spirit, 00:18:33.099 --> 00:18:34.339 but Simeon is moved 00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:35.719 by the Spirit, 00:18:35.819 --> 00:18:37.000 and he sees Jesus, 00:18:37.339 --> 00:18:38.319 which is seeing 00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:39.099 the Holy Spirit. 00:18:39.879 --> 00:18:40.359 So friends, 00:18:40.419 --> 00:18:41.159 let me ask you a question. 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:42.359 Do you see the Spirit? 00:18:43.419 --> 00:18:44.019 Do you see the Spirit 00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:47.119 moving in your life now? 00:18:49.399 --> 00:18:51.439 So how do we see salvation? 00:18:51.959 --> 00:18:52.919 We must first see 00:18:52.919 --> 00:18:53.719 the desolation, 00:18:54.240 --> 00:18:55.139 and we must see 00:18:55.139 --> 00:18:55.899 God's promise 00:18:55.899 --> 00:18:57.199 and presence with Him. 00:18:58.159 --> 00:18:59.359 But here's another question. 00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:00.459 How do we know 00:19:00.459 --> 00:19:01.379 that we've seen it? 00:19:01.380 --> 00:19:02.320 How do we know 00:19:02.320 --> 00:19:04.560 that we've seen salvation? 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:07.820 Three fruits that we know. 00:19:07.940 --> 00:19:09.500 First, praise. 00:19:10.100 --> 00:19:11.620 When you see salvation, 00:19:11.920 --> 00:19:13.180 praise comes out. 00:19:13.900 --> 00:19:15.240 When Simeon sees Jesus 00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:16.160 finally in the temple, 00:19:16.560 --> 00:19:18.640 he doesn't say silence. 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:19.920 He sings. 00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:20.580 He says, 00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:21.480 My soul, 00:19:21.880 --> 00:19:22.420 my eyes, 00:19:22.580 --> 00:19:24.180 have seen your salvation. 00:19:25.460 --> 00:19:27.060 Seeing leads to speaking 00:19:27.060 --> 00:19:28.000 and singing. 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:29.779 You know this instinctively. 00:19:30.119 --> 00:19:31.380 The things that you love, 00:19:31.680 --> 00:19:32.740 the things that you enjoy, 00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:33.660 the things that you see 00:19:33.660 --> 00:19:34.440 and are beautiful. 00:19:35.099 --> 00:19:36.240 You speak them. 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:38.420 You tell others about them. 00:19:38.940 --> 00:19:40.000 Hey, I went to this restaurant. 00:19:40.119 --> 00:19:40.960 It was so good. 00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:42.200 You got to go there 00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:43.039 and see it yourself. 00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:44.299 Taste it yourself. 00:19:46.420 --> 00:19:46.900 Speaking, 00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:48.259 complete seeing. 00:19:49.339 --> 00:19:50.579 And sitting in sight, though, 00:19:51.019 --> 00:19:52.500 it's not only praise. 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:54.720 It actually leads 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:56.640 to a grander vision of God. 00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:57.700 You see, 00:19:57.799 --> 00:19:59.180 as Simeon is seeing this, 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:01.339 this is not just about 00:20:01.339 --> 00:20:02.940 the consolation of Israel. 00:20:04.619 --> 00:20:06.059 God is not coming. 00:20:06.180 --> 00:20:07.279 Jesus is not coming 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:09.599 for just this one little people. 00:20:10.619 --> 00:20:11.460 God is coming 00:20:11.460 --> 00:20:14.059 to save the whole world. 00:20:15.660 --> 00:20:16.720 Isn't that a bigger 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:18.140 and more beautiful picture 00:20:18.140 --> 00:20:19.079 of who God is 00:20:19.079 --> 00:20:20.880 and who his salvation is? 00:20:20.880 --> 00:20:23.060 We have such little views 00:20:23.060 --> 00:20:23.860 of God 00:20:23.860 --> 00:20:24.660 and what he's doing. 00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:27.780 We naturally 00:20:27.780 --> 00:20:29.480 are selfish. 00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:31.120 We're blinkered 00:20:31.120 --> 00:20:31.760 in our vision. 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:33.080 We so often 00:20:33.080 --> 00:20:33.680 just see God 00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:35.220 doing this one little thing. 00:20:36.180 --> 00:20:36.680 And God, 00:20:36.860 --> 00:20:37.660 when we see him, 00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:38.540 when we see him 00:20:38.540 --> 00:20:39.580 in his spirit, 00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:41.140 he wants to blow that up 00:20:41.140 --> 00:20:41.420 and say, 00:20:41.780 --> 00:20:42.880 hey, I am not only 00:20:42.880 --> 00:20:43.520 the God of you, 00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:45.200 I'm the God of the world. 00:20:46.340 --> 00:20:47.720 The God of the universe. 00:20:48.340 --> 00:20:49.580 And I'm doing something 00:20:49.580 --> 00:20:50.460 in the world 00:20:50.460 --> 00:20:51.960 that's going to have, 00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:53.259 it's going to utterly 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:54.279 transform it. 00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:57.140 It says in verse 31, 00:20:57.940 --> 00:20:58.840 which you have prepared 00:20:58.840 --> 00:20:59.579 in the sight 00:20:59.579 --> 00:21:00.600 of all nations, 00:21:00.960 --> 00:21:02.200 a light for revelation 00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:03.100 to the Gentiles 00:21:03.100 --> 00:21:04.100 and the glory 00:21:04.100 --> 00:21:05.340 of your people Israel. 00:21:06.440 --> 00:21:07.400 This is actually 00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:08.880 the larger narrative point 00:21:08.880 --> 00:21:10.440 of Simeon's song. 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:12.420 This salvation 00:21:12.420 --> 00:21:13.440 that God is bringing, 00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:16.140 it's for the whole world. 00:21:16.579 --> 00:21:17.340 And verse 33, 00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:18.240 it says that Mary 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:19.240 and Joseph marveled 00:21:20.059 --> 00:21:20.779 at what was said 00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:21.359 about Jesus. 00:21:22.299 --> 00:21:22.599 You see, 00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:23.920 the angels told him 00:21:23.920 --> 00:21:24.680 a lot about 00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:25.759 who Jesus would be 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:26.700 and what he'd do, 00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:27.980 but it was all 00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:28.680 about Israel. 00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:30.779 Simeon comes 00:21:30.779 --> 00:21:31.380 and tells him 00:21:31.380 --> 00:21:32.160 that Jesus 00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:33.420 is the Savior 00:21:33.420 --> 00:21:35.039 of the world. 00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:37.819 So when we see Jesus, 00:21:38.599 --> 00:21:40.140 when we see salvation, 00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:42.180 we praise. 00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:44.259 We praise a bigger God 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:45.220 than we thought existed. 00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:47.180 second fruit. 00:21:48.380 --> 00:21:49.779 When we see salvation, 00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:50.940 we see the price. 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:53.720 Simeon's initial prayer 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:54.279 of praise 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:55.360 is full of triumph 00:21:55.360 --> 00:21:56.100 and victory. 00:21:56.839 --> 00:21:57.600 It's beautiful. 00:21:58.839 --> 00:21:59.860 But there's unfortunately 00:21:59.860 --> 00:22:00.140 more. 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:01.120 He gives a prophecy 00:22:01.120 --> 00:22:03.680 in verses 34 and 35, 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:05.559 like a post-credits scene, 00:22:05.640 --> 00:22:06.539 like a Marvel movie. 00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:07.519 Right? 00:22:07.579 --> 00:22:08.920 The story is not all roses. 00:22:09.640 --> 00:22:10.980 The villain is still afoot. 00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:13.579 But Simeon lowers his voice 00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:14.420 and he says, 00:22:14.860 --> 00:22:15.019 hey, 00:22:15.339 --> 00:22:16.299 this child 00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:18.140 will be opposed. 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:20.059 When he speaks to Mary, 00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:20.779 he says, 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:21.980 your sword 00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:22.759 will pierce 00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:24.339 your soul. 00:22:25.640 --> 00:22:26.240 Pierced. 00:22:27.140 --> 00:22:27.740 Stabbed. 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:29.319 Run through. 00:22:30.779 --> 00:22:31.440 And for Mary, 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:32.519 it's metaphorical. 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:33.200 Right? 00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:34.160 It's her soul. 00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:36.380 But for her son, 00:22:36.380 --> 00:22:38.920 for her son, 00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:41.660 this is the price 00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:44.140 of this great salvation 00:22:44.140 --> 00:22:46.500 that Simeon has just sung about. 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:48.760 It is piercing, 00:22:49.260 --> 00:22:50.300 not only of his soul, 00:22:50.360 --> 00:22:51.400 but of his body. 00:22:52.560 --> 00:22:53.460 This baby, 00:22:53.560 --> 00:22:54.180 this infant 00:22:54.180 --> 00:22:55.780 that Simeon is holding 00:22:55.780 --> 00:22:57.700 and looking at, 00:22:58.140 --> 00:22:59.220 his little hands 00:22:59.220 --> 00:23:01.060 are going to get pierced. 00:23:02.360 --> 00:23:03.220 His side, 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:05.720 his little bulging infant side, 00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:06.539 is going to get 00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:07.900 stabbed 00:23:07.900 --> 00:23:09.579 with the spear. 00:23:10.759 --> 00:23:12.100 That's the price. 00:23:13.299 --> 00:23:14.120 The soft head 00:23:14.120 --> 00:23:14.740 of this infant 00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:15.360 drenched 00:23:15.360 --> 00:23:16.680 by blood 00:23:16.680 --> 00:23:17.180 someday 00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:17.960 as thorns 00:23:17.960 --> 00:23:19.039 are hammered 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:20.059 into the scalp 00:23:20.059 --> 00:23:22.200 as a mocked up crown. 00:23:22.779 --> 00:23:24.240 This is the price 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:24.839 of salvation 00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:25.559 that God 00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:26.480 who comes 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:27.480 to be seen 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:30.279 will be crucified. 00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:32.299 Jesus 00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:33.779 on the cross 00:23:33.779 --> 00:23:35.000 for you 00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:37.099 and for me. 00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:39.059 Entering in, 00:23:39.139 --> 00:23:39.660 this God 00:23:39.660 --> 00:23:40.500 entering in 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:42.399 to the desolation 00:23:42.399 --> 00:23:43.859 of our lives. 00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:45.720 He will know 00:23:45.720 --> 00:23:46.660 our desolation. 00:23:46.839 --> 00:23:47.859 He will feel it 00:23:47.859 --> 00:23:48.440 intimately 00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:50.119 on his suffering, 00:23:50.299 --> 00:23:51.200 in his suffering. 00:23:52.599 --> 00:23:53.299 Do you see 00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:53.940 the price 00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:54.799 of your salvation? 00:23:55.700 --> 00:23:56.160 Do you see 00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:56.720 the love 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:57.639 that God has 00:23:57.639 --> 00:23:58.460 for you, 00:23:58.639 --> 00:23:58.920 friends? 00:24:00.099 --> 00:24:01.139 God loves you. 00:24:01.140 --> 00:24:03.080 that this is 00:24:03.080 --> 00:24:03.740 the price 00:24:03.740 --> 00:24:04.759 of that love. 00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:06.360 It's the Lord Jesus. 00:24:07.860 --> 00:24:08.540 And finally, 00:24:08.640 --> 00:24:08.980 the fruit. 00:24:09.060 --> 00:24:09.720 When we see 00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:10.420 salvation, 00:24:11.340 --> 00:24:12.740 peace comes. 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:14.400 Verse 29, 00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:15.700 Simeon says, 00:24:15.800 --> 00:24:16.440 Sovereign Lord, 00:24:16.520 --> 00:24:17.240 as you have promised, 00:24:17.420 --> 00:24:18.060 you may now 00:24:18.060 --> 00:24:19.180 dismiss your servant 00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:19.900 in peace. 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:21.520 We don't know 00:24:21.520 --> 00:24:23.320 for sure 00:24:23.320 --> 00:24:23.940 how old 00:24:23.940 --> 00:24:24.660 Simeon is. 00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:26.480 The text doesn't tell us. 00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:27.980 Church tradition 00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:28.820 infers that he's 00:24:28.820 --> 00:24:29.520 quite old. 00:24:29.519 --> 00:24:31.240 His story 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:32.119 is paired with Anna, 00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:32.700 who's at least 00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:33.420 in her 80s. 00:24:33.960 --> 00:24:35.119 One church tradition 00:24:35.119 --> 00:24:35.700 says that he's 00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:37.059 112 years old. 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:39.359 But it's also 00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:40.139 inferred because 00:24:40.139 --> 00:24:41.059 Simeon's song 00:24:41.059 --> 00:24:41.740 is amusing 00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:42.539 on death. 00:24:43.319 --> 00:24:44.240 Now that he has 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:45.559 seen and held 00:24:45.559 --> 00:24:46.200 salvation, 00:24:46.599 --> 00:24:47.819 he is at peace 00:24:47.819 --> 00:24:48.839 in his life. 00:24:50.599 --> 00:24:51.319 And in a sense, 00:24:51.400 --> 00:24:51.700 he says, 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.119 Hey, Lord, 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:53.420 now you can take me. 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:54.759 Now you are 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:56.059 letting your servant 00:24:56.059 --> 00:24:56.740 depart. 00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:58.160 Dismissal. 00:24:58.460 --> 00:24:58.859 Dismiss, 00:24:58.859 --> 00:24:59.259 depart. 00:24:59.339 --> 00:25:00.259 That means death. 00:25:00.619 --> 00:25:00.959 He's saying, 00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:01.859 Hey, I have seen 00:25:01.859 --> 00:25:02.439 salvation, 00:25:02.659 --> 00:25:03.679 and you can 00:25:03.679 --> 00:25:04.779 dismiss me in peace. 00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:06.299 There's nothing 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:07.279 more in this earth 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:08.099 that I want 00:25:08.099 --> 00:25:08.759 or need. 00:25:09.159 --> 00:25:10.059 I have everything 00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:10.699 I need. 00:25:11.979 --> 00:25:12.439 Friends, 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:13.439 when we have seen 00:25:13.439 --> 00:25:14.119 salvation, 00:25:14.939 --> 00:25:16.039 we have this 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:16.719 peace. 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:18.539 It surpasses 00:25:18.539 --> 00:25:19.519 understanding. 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:20.440 standing. 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:23.619 A pastor, 00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:24.480 a friend of mine 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:26.879 in his early 00:25:26.879 --> 00:25:27.480 40s, 00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:28.379 passed away 00:25:28.379 --> 00:25:29.799 from cancer 00:25:29.799 --> 00:25:31.259 this last year. 00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:33.200 He had two 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:34.460 kids under 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:35.400 seven years old 00:25:35.400 --> 00:25:38.559 and a wife 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:40.079 and they miss 00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:40.859 him dearly. 00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:42.480 One of the most 00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:43.559 beautiful testimonies 00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:44.379 about that death 00:25:44.380 --> 00:25:45.740 is he had 00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:46.660 this firm 00:25:46.660 --> 00:25:48.020 peace. 00:25:49.380 --> 00:25:50.200 He knew 00:25:50.200 --> 00:25:50.800 where he was 00:25:50.800 --> 00:25:51.240 going. 00:25:52.040 --> 00:25:52.900 He had seen 00:25:52.900 --> 00:25:53.320 Jesus. 00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:54.680 He had seen 00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:55.540 his salvation. 00:25:56.780 --> 00:25:57.100 Even if 00:25:57.100 --> 00:25:57.580 Simeon is, 00:25:57.820 --> 00:25:58.480 let's pretend 00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:59.120 Simeon is not 00:25:59.120 --> 00:25:59.440 old. 00:25:59.780 --> 00:26:00.540 Maybe he is in 00:26:00.540 --> 00:26:01.240 his 40s. 00:26:01.600 --> 00:26:02.280 And he is saying, 00:26:02.600 --> 00:26:02.860 Hey, 00:26:03.560 --> 00:26:04.500 if I have nothing 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:05.440 else in this life, 00:26:05.580 --> 00:26:06.500 I don't need to do 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:07.200 anything else 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:08.140 because I have 00:26:08.140 --> 00:26:09.140 seen God. 00:26:09.340 --> 00:26:10.100 I have seen 00:26:10.100 --> 00:26:10.780 God's love 00:26:10.779 --> 00:26:11.559 and that's 00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:12.339 everything that 00:26:12.339 --> 00:26:12.920 I need. 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:14.619 There is a 00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:15.879 peace that 00:26:15.879 --> 00:26:16.859 comes when 00:26:16.859 --> 00:26:17.680 we have seen 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.660 God and seen 00:26:18.660 --> 00:26:19.559 his salvation 00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:20.779 that we can 00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:21.619 actually face 00:26:21.619 --> 00:26:22.619 the darkest 00:26:22.619 --> 00:26:23.500 desolation 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:24.839 because we 00:26:24.839 --> 00:26:25.299 know 00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:26.660 because we've 00:26:26.660 --> 00:26:27.660 seen God. 00:26:28.420 --> 00:26:28.879 And actually, 00:26:29.559 --> 00:26:30.079 if you know 00:26:30.079 --> 00:26:30.559 Jesus, 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:32.039 that's the end. 00:26:32.660 --> 00:26:33.059 Do you realize 00:26:33.059 --> 00:26:33.299 that? 00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:35.819 When you die, 00:26:36.720 --> 00:26:37.399 the highest 00:26:37.399 --> 00:26:37.759 good, 00:26:37.899 --> 00:26:38.399 the beatific 00:26:38.399 --> 00:26:39.200 vision is how 00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:40.119 the ancient 00:26:40.119 --> 00:26:41.639 theologians 00:26:41.639 --> 00:26:42.199 and Christians 00:26:42.199 --> 00:26:42.899 called it, 00:26:43.199 --> 00:26:43.919 is that you 00:26:43.919 --> 00:26:44.739 see Jesus. 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:46.139 That's 00:26:46.139 --> 00:26:46.519 everything. 00:26:47.739 --> 00:26:48.179 That's 00:26:48.179 --> 00:26:48.559 everything. 00:26:48.679 --> 00:26:49.000 It's the 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:49.559 highest good. 00:26:49.619 --> 00:26:50.039 It's when you 00:26:50.039 --> 00:26:50.779 will be most 00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:51.659 at peace 00:26:51.659 --> 00:26:52.439 and most 00:26:52.439 --> 00:26:53.319 happy. 00:26:54.699 --> 00:26:55.219 So friends, 00:26:56.139 --> 00:26:56.639 summing up, 00:26:56.679 --> 00:26:57.059 let me just 00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:58.000 make a couple 00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:58.439 quick 00:26:58.439 --> 00:26:59.500 meditations. 00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:03.019 Three 00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:03.599 applications. 00:27:03.919 --> 00:27:04.279 Do you 00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:05.199 see like 00:27:05.199 --> 00:27:05.799 Simeon? 00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:07.279 Do you 00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:07.799 see God? 00:27:07.919 --> 00:27:08.239 Are you 00:27:08.239 --> 00:27:09.279 looking for 00:27:09.279 --> 00:27:09.799 God? 00:27:10.399 --> 00:27:10.879 Simeon's 00:27:10.879 --> 00:27:11.259 story is 00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:11.739 unique. 00:27:12.819 --> 00:27:13.039 He's 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:13.539 promised a 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:13.859 beautiful 00:27:13.859 --> 00:27:15.139 promise to 00:27:15.139 --> 00:27:15.579 see the 00:27:15.579 --> 00:27:16.559 Messiah of 00:27:16.559 --> 00:27:17.539 close and 00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:18.019 personal. 00:27:18.439 --> 00:27:18.779 But at the 00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:19.359 same time, 00:27:19.619 --> 00:27:20.179 his very 00:27:20.179 --> 00:27:20.859 message is 00:27:20.859 --> 00:27:21.299 that he's 00:27:21.299 --> 00:27:22.199 not unique. 00:27:22.919 --> 00:27:23.399 He says 00:27:23.399 --> 00:27:24.159 all of us 00:27:24.159 --> 00:27:24.839 can see the 00:27:24.839 --> 00:27:25.099 Lord's 00:27:25.099 --> 00:27:25.419 salvation. 00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:26.059 This is 00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:26.399 for the 00:27:26.399 --> 00:27:26.919 nations, 00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:27.659 the world. 00:27:28.019 --> 00:27:28.279 This is 00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:28.859 the light 00:27:28.859 --> 00:27:29.119 of the 00:27:29.119 --> 00:27:29.299 world. 00:27:29.479 --> 00:27:30.239 Come in. 00:27:30.739 --> 00:27:30.879 And so 00:27:30.879 --> 00:27:31.579 he wants 00:27:31.579 --> 00:27:31.799 you, 00:27:31.959 --> 00:27:32.479 Simeon wants 00:27:32.479 --> 00:27:33.319 everyone to 00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:34.019 see what 00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:34.579 he's seen. 00:27:34.639 --> 00:27:35.019 And you 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:35.559 can. 00:27:36.339 --> 00:27:36.839 You can. 00:27:36.919 --> 00:27:37.219 This is 00:27:37.219 --> 00:27:37.779 meant for 00:27:37.779 --> 00:27:38.359 the world. 00:27:38.359 --> 00:27:39.759 And some 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:40.000 of you 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:40.419 think that 00:27:40.419 --> 00:27:40.779 God is 00:27:40.779 --> 00:27:41.219 hiding, 00:27:41.599 --> 00:27:41.759 that he 00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:42.019 doesn't 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:42.439 want to 00:27:42.439 --> 00:27:42.819 be seen 00:27:42.819 --> 00:27:43.319 by you. 00:27:43.819 --> 00:27:44.359 But don't 00:27:44.359 --> 00:27:44.740 you see 00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:45.599 the efforts 00:27:45.599 --> 00:27:46.179 and the 00:27:46.179 --> 00:27:46.579 lengths that 00:27:46.579 --> 00:27:47.279 God wants? 00:27:48.859 --> 00:27:49.439 You too 00:27:49.439 --> 00:27:49.979 see him? 00:27:51.199 --> 00:27:51.439 Right? 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:52.059 God is like 00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:52.719 a dad of a 00:27:52.719 --> 00:27:53.519 two-year-old boy 00:27:53.519 --> 00:27:54.500 playing hide 00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:55.079 and seek. 00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:55.740 When he 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:56.279 hides, 00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.439 he's just 00:27:57.439 --> 00:27:57.859 around the 00:27:57.859 --> 00:27:58.259 corner and 00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:58.839 he peeks 00:27:58.839 --> 00:27:59.279 his foot 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:00.079 out so 00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:00.319 his little 00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:00.819 two-year-old 00:28:00.819 --> 00:28:01.240 can see 00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:02.000 exactly where 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.599 he is. 00:28:02.599 --> 00:28:04.000 because the 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:04.439 joy of 00:28:04.439 --> 00:28:05.179 that is 00:28:05.179 --> 00:28:05.579 for him 00:28:05.579 --> 00:28:06.179 to grab 00:28:06.179 --> 00:28:07.179 his son 00:28:07.179 --> 00:28:07.599 and hug 00:28:07.599 --> 00:28:07.839 him. 00:28:08.379 --> 00:28:09.059 He wants 00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:09.419 to be 00:28:09.419 --> 00:28:09.639 seen. 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:09.959 Your 00:28:09.959 --> 00:28:11.159 God wants 00:28:11.159 --> 00:28:11.799 you to 00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:12.459 see him. 00:28:13.919 --> 00:28:14.399 Open 00:28:14.399 --> 00:28:15.099 your eyes. 00:28:18.539 --> 00:28:18.759 But 00:28:18.759 --> 00:28:19.539 Simeon also 00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:20.059 ends with 00:28:20.059 --> 00:28:20.879 something crucial. 00:28:21.459 --> 00:28:21.699 It says 00:28:21.699 --> 00:28:22.579 Simeon took 00:28:22.579 --> 00:28:23.379 him up in 00:28:23.379 --> 00:28:24.959 his arms. 00:28:25.799 --> 00:28:26.019 You see 00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:26.779 salvation is 00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:27.199 not an 00:28:27.199 --> 00:28:28.359 it to be 00:28:28.359 --> 00:28:28.639 seen. 00:28:29.459 --> 00:28:30.219 It's a 00:28:30.219 --> 00:28:30.619 he. 00:28:31.299 --> 00:28:31.919 It's a 00:28:31.919 --> 00:28:32.480 person. 00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:33.439 And 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:34.159 seeing is 00:28:34.159 --> 00:28:34.939 not enough. 00:28:35.359 --> 00:28:35.579 You have 00:28:35.579 --> 00:28:36.419 to hold 00:28:36.419 --> 00:28:36.740 it. 00:28:37.419 --> 00:28:37.659 You have 00:28:37.659 --> 00:28:38.139 to take 00:28:38.139 --> 00:28:38.639 it into 00:28:38.639 --> 00:28:39.240 your own 00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:39.559 hands. 00:28:39.859 --> 00:28:40.099 There's 00:28:40.099 --> 00:28:40.279 this 00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:40.679 beautiful 00:28:40.679 --> 00:28:41.099 delicate 00:28:41.099 --> 00:28:41.339 way. 00:28:41.439 --> 00:28:41.859 I love 00:28:41.859 --> 00:28:43.259 when new 00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:43.859 mothers are 00:28:43.859 --> 00:28:44.379 holding their 00:28:44.379 --> 00:28:45.579 newborns. 00:28:45.659 --> 00:28:45.819 And when 00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:46.259 they hand 00:28:46.259 --> 00:28:46.679 them off 00:28:46.679 --> 00:28:46.980 to you, 00:28:47.039 --> 00:28:47.319 it's like 00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:47.719 this is 00:28:47.719 --> 00:28:48.099 the most 00:28:48.099 --> 00:28:48.480 precious 00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:48.980 thing. 00:28:49.399 --> 00:28:49.599 You have 00:28:49.599 --> 00:28:50.000 to remember 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:50.579 how to 00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:50.879 hold a 00:28:50.879 --> 00:28:51.059 baby. 00:28:51.179 --> 00:28:51.559 It's weird. 00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:53.019 This head's 00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:53.219 going to 00:28:53.219 --> 00:28:53.759 fall off. 00:28:54.139 --> 00:28:55.619 And you 00:28:55.619 --> 00:28:55.899 have to 00:28:55.899 --> 00:28:57.319 very tenderly 00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:57.919 take it 00:28:57.919 --> 00:28:58.559 to you 00:28:58.559 --> 00:28:59.740 and hold 00:28:59.740 --> 00:29:00.019 it. 00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:02.019 that's 00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:02.379 what our 00:29:02.379 --> 00:29:02.920 salvation 00:29:02.920 --> 00:29:03.619 is. 00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:04.619 It's 00:29:04.619 --> 00:29:05.200 given to 00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:05.379 you. 00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:05.779 You have 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:06.299 to take 00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:06.799 Jesus 00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:07.839 into your 00:29:07.839 --> 00:29:08.420 own hands 00:29:08.420 --> 00:29:09.079 and hold 00:29:09.079 --> 00:29:09.740 him to 00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:10.500 your chest. 00:29:10.740 --> 00:29:11.359 Some of 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:12.400 you see 00:29:12.400 --> 00:29:13.000 salvation. 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:13.920 You understand 00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:14.700 the claims 00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:15.539 of Christianity, 00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:16.539 but you've 00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:17.319 never held 00:29:17.319 --> 00:29:17.619 it. 00:29:18.639 --> 00:29:18.879 You've 00:29:18.879 --> 00:29:19.059 never 00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:19.759 taken it 00:29:19.759 --> 00:29:20.099 into your 00:29:20.099 --> 00:29:20.720 arms. 00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:21.859 And you 00:29:21.859 --> 00:29:22.180 have to 00:29:22.180 --> 00:29:22.460 take it 00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:22.700 into your 00:29:22.700 --> 00:29:23.720 arms every 00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:24.319 day. 00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:25.700 No one 00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:26.200 picks up a 00:29:26.200 --> 00:29:27.339 newborn once 00:29:27.339 --> 00:29:29.259 when they've 00:29:29.259 --> 00:29:29.599 been born 00:29:29.599 --> 00:29:29.940 to them. 00:29:30.779 --> 00:29:31.180 They take 00:29:31.180 --> 00:29:31.440 them up 00:29:31.440 --> 00:29:32.079 every day, 00:29:32.159 --> 00:29:32.879 every hour. 00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:33.980 That is 00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:34.299 what it 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:34.639 is. 00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:35.759 That's 00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:36.000 what it 00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:37.480 is to 00:29:37.480 --> 00:29:37.940 know the 00:29:37.940 --> 00:29:38.279 gospel, 00:29:38.420 --> 00:29:38.839 to hold 00:29:38.839 --> 00:29:39.200 the gospel, 00:29:39.319 --> 00:29:39.740 to see 00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:40.319 the gospel. 00:29:40.980 --> 00:29:41.240 And 00:29:41.240 --> 00:29:41.700 finally, 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:43.259 we have 00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:43.879 to train 00:29:43.879 --> 00:29:44.519 our eyes 00:29:44.519 --> 00:29:45.019 to see. 00:29:45.539 --> 00:29:45.819 And the 00:29:45.819 --> 00:29:46.119 way we 00:29:46.119 --> 00:29:46.519 train 00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:47.119 sight is 00:29:47.119 --> 00:29:47.440 through 00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:48.379 prayer. 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:49.940 The 00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:50.319 Son of 00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:50.619 Simeon 00:29:50.619 --> 00:29:51.159 has long 00:29:51.159 --> 00:29:51.440 been a 00:29:51.440 --> 00:29:51.740 beloved 00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:52.420 prayer and 00:29:52.420 --> 00:29:53.399 song in 00:29:53.399 --> 00:29:53.879 the church. 00:29:54.359 --> 00:29:54.539 And you 00:29:54.539 --> 00:29:54.799 know where 00:29:54.799 --> 00:29:55.319 the principal 00:29:55.319 --> 00:29:55.839 place the 00:29:55.839 --> 00:29:56.299 church has 00:29:56.299 --> 00:29:57.119 used this 00:29:57.119 --> 00:29:57.420 prayer? 00:29:58.639 --> 00:29:59.200 Every 00:29:59.200 --> 00:29:59.799 evening. 00:30:00.920 --> 00:30:01.480 Every 00:30:01.480 --> 00:30:01.740 evening, 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:02.000 when you 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:02.379 look at 00:30:02.379 --> 00:30:03.619 the liturgical 00:30:03.619 --> 00:30:04.119 prayers, 00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:04.619 the evening 00:30:04.619 --> 00:30:05.220 prayers, 00:30:05.839 --> 00:30:06.659 they always 00:30:06.659 --> 00:30:07.339 end, 00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:08.059 going back 00:30:08.059 --> 00:30:08.559 to the 00:30:08.559 --> 00:30:08.819 fourth 00:30:08.819 --> 00:30:09.299 century, 00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:10.399 the church 00:30:10.399 --> 00:30:10.720 has said 00:30:10.720 --> 00:30:11.519 this is 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:11.720 one of 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:12.159 the best 00:30:12.159 --> 00:30:12.759 ways to 00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:13.480 end your 00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:14.480 day in 00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:15.180 prayer. 00:30:15.180 --> 00:30:15.700 Why? 00:30:16.900 --> 00:30:17.460 Why? 00:30:19.019 --> 00:30:19.620 Lord, 00:30:19.860 --> 00:30:21.539 now you 00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:22.100 can dismiss 00:30:22.100 --> 00:30:22.720 your servant 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:23.680 in peace, 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.120 for my 00:30:24.120 --> 00:30:25.220 eyes have 00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:26.140 seen your 00:30:26.140 --> 00:30:27.160 salvation. 00:30:27.440 --> 00:30:28.620 You see what 00:30:28.620 --> 00:30:29.100 that's saying 00:30:29.100 --> 00:30:29.580 every day? 00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:31.320 Every day it's 00:30:31.320 --> 00:30:31.920 saying, hey, 00:30:31.980 --> 00:30:32.539 I can go to 00:30:32.539 --> 00:30:33.720 bed in 00:30:33.720 --> 00:30:34.279 peace. 00:30:34.759 --> 00:30:35.299 Why? 00:30:35.580 --> 00:30:36.060 Because I've 00:30:36.060 --> 00:30:36.840 seen my 00:30:36.840 --> 00:30:37.799 Savior today. 00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:39.380 I've seen 00:30:39.380 --> 00:30:41.019 salvation today. 00:30:41.019 --> 00:30:41.900 And that 00:30:41.900 --> 00:30:42.839 trains our 00:30:42.839 --> 00:30:43.440 hearts and 00:30:43.440 --> 00:30:43.960 our minds 00:30:43.960 --> 00:30:44.799 to look 00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:45.359 back over 00:30:45.359 --> 00:30:46.059 every day 00:30:46.059 --> 00:30:46.400 and say, 00:30:46.579 --> 00:30:47.539 where did I 00:30:47.539 --> 00:30:47.980 see God 00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:48.660 work today? 00:30:49.859 --> 00:30:50.200 Oh, I 00:30:50.200 --> 00:30:50.539 have a 00:30:50.539 --> 00:30:50.900 Savior. 00:30:51.339 --> 00:30:51.680 I have a 00:30:51.680 --> 00:30:51.920 Savior. 00:30:52.279 --> 00:30:52.559 Sometimes 00:30:52.559 --> 00:30:53.180 it's easy, 00:30:53.299 --> 00:30:53.539 right? 00:30:54.759 --> 00:30:55.299 Lord, I've 00:30:55.299 --> 00:30:55.619 seen your 00:30:55.619 --> 00:30:56.259 salvation today. 00:30:56.299 --> 00:30:56.740 I've walked 00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:57.000 with your 00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:57.519 spirit today. 00:30:57.759 --> 00:30:58.400 Other days, 00:30:58.460 --> 00:30:59.119 we say this 00:30:59.119 --> 00:30:59.720 prayer in 00:30:59.720 --> 00:31:00.319 faith. 00:31:01.379 --> 00:31:02.079 We don't 00:31:02.079 --> 00:31:02.639 feel saved. 00:31:02.740 --> 00:31:03.039 We're in 00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:03.379 need of 00:31:03.379 --> 00:31:03.779 salvation. 00:31:03.920 --> 00:31:04.099 It's been 00:31:04.099 --> 00:31:04.639 a terrible 00:31:04.639 --> 00:31:04.980 day. 00:31:05.319 --> 00:31:05.859 We've yelled 00:31:05.859 --> 00:31:06.160 at our 00:31:06.160 --> 00:31:06.579 kids. 00:31:06.660 --> 00:31:06.980 We've yelled 00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:07.240 at our 00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:07.839 spouse. 00:31:07.839 --> 00:31:08.500 We've 00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:09.079 been grumpy. 00:31:09.399 --> 00:31:09.959 And we 00:31:09.959 --> 00:31:10.919 pray it less 00:31:10.919 --> 00:31:11.500 as a 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:12.379 statement and 00:31:12.379 --> 00:31:12.859 more as a 00:31:12.859 --> 00:31:13.399 hope, a 00:31:13.399 --> 00:31:14.000 question. 00:31:14.539 --> 00:31:15.079 My eyes 00:31:15.079 --> 00:31:15.439 have seen 00:31:15.439 --> 00:31:16.139 your salvation. 00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:18.539 And yet, 00:31:19.339 --> 00:31:20.099 even in that 00:31:20.099 --> 00:31:21.139 midst, God 00:31:21.139 --> 00:31:22.339 meets us in 00:31:22.339 --> 00:31:22.919 that prayer. 00:31:24.359 --> 00:31:24.879 Oh, let me 00:31:24.879 --> 00:31:25.559 give you more 00:31:25.559 --> 00:31:26.259 salvation. 00:31:27.399 --> 00:31:28.259 I am your 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:28.579 Savior. 00:31:29.919 --> 00:31:30.720 And therefore, 00:31:30.879 --> 00:31:31.879 we can depart 00:31:31.879 --> 00:31:32.480 in peace. 00:31:32.779 --> 00:31:33.459 We can go to 00:31:33.459 --> 00:31:34.699 bed and go to 00:31:34.699 --> 00:31:34.899 sleep. 00:31:34.980 --> 00:31:35.379 So let me 00:31:35.379 --> 00:31:35.879 challenge you 00:31:35.879 --> 00:31:36.559 this new year. 00:31:37.839 --> 00:31:39.220 pray the 00:31:39.220 --> 00:31:39.819 prayer of 00:31:39.819 --> 00:31:40.319 Simeon. 00:31:40.859 --> 00:31:41.879 Every night. 00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:43.439 Every evening. 00:31:44.579 --> 00:31:45.220 And as you 00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:45.899 go about your 00:31:45.899 --> 00:31:47.339 year, ask 00:31:47.339 --> 00:31:48.639 God, may 00:31:48.639 --> 00:31:49.480 your fundamental 00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:50.220 prayer this 00:31:50.220 --> 00:31:50.639 year, for 00:31:50.639 --> 00:31:51.980 year, 2026, 00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:54.019 be, may I 00:31:54.019 --> 00:31:54.699 see you. 00:31:55.740 --> 00:31:56.159 May I see 00:31:56.159 --> 00:31:56.839 your salvation. 00:31:57.859 --> 00:31:59.339 In X, I see 00:31:59.339 --> 00:31:59.859 your salvation 00:31:59.859 --> 00:32:00.259 in this 00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:01.519 relationship, in 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:02.119 my family. 00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:02.639 May I see 00:32:02.639 --> 00:32:03.119 your salvation 00:32:03.119 --> 00:32:03.679 at work. 00:32:04.220 --> 00:32:05.059 May that be 00:32:05.059 --> 00:32:06.599 your prayer. 00:32:06.599 --> 00:32:07.359 Father, friends, 00:32:07.480 --> 00:32:08.119 salvation is 00:32:08.119 --> 00:32:09.119 not just 00:32:09.119 --> 00:32:09.579 something we 00:32:09.579 --> 00:32:10.179 believe in. 00:32:10.759 --> 00:32:11.439 It's something 00:32:11.439 --> 00:32:13.259 we see and 00:32:13.259 --> 00:32:13.699 hold. 00:32:14.500 --> 00:32:14.839 Would you 00:32:14.839 --> 00:32:15.339 pray with me? 00:32:16.399 --> 00:32:17.000 Oh, Father 00:32:17.000 --> 00:32:17.439 in heaven, 00:32:18.059 --> 00:32:20.480 again, I want 00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:21.019 to pray a very 00:32:21.019 --> 00:32:21.659 simple prayer. 00:32:22.959 --> 00:32:23.819 May we see 00:32:23.819 --> 00:32:24.819 with Simeon's 00:32:24.819 --> 00:32:25.199 eyes. 00:32:25.779 --> 00:32:26.679 May we see 00:32:26.679 --> 00:32:27.659 you, oh, 00:32:27.699 --> 00:32:27.919 Lord. 00:32:29.539 --> 00:32:30.439 Lord, if there's 00:32:30.439 --> 00:32:31.219 anyone in here 00:32:31.219 --> 00:32:32.359 that sees you 00:32:32.359 --> 00:32:33.039 and is not 00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:34.339 held you, 00:32:34.339 --> 00:32:35.720 Lord, would you 00:32:35.720 --> 00:32:36.259 work in their 00:32:36.259 --> 00:32:38.000 hearts, work 00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:38.619 in their minds, 00:32:38.919 --> 00:32:39.339 and may they 00:32:39.339 --> 00:32:40.039 take you as 00:32:40.039 --> 00:32:40.439 their own. 00:32:40.500 --> 00:32:41.259 May they hold 00:32:41.259 --> 00:32:42.179 you, the 00:32:42.179 --> 00:32:43.319 Savior, close 00:32:43.319 --> 00:32:44.039 to their chest. 00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:44.959 And Lord, would 00:32:44.959 --> 00:32:45.919 you train us 00:32:45.919 --> 00:32:47.000 to be a people 00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:47.899 who see you, 00:32:48.679 --> 00:32:49.439 who don't miss 00:32:49.439 --> 00:32:50.299 out, oh, God. 00:32:51.159 --> 00:32:52.039 Give us the 00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:52.599 peace. 00:32:53.439 --> 00:32:53.980 Give us the 00:32:53.980 --> 00:32:55.439 praise, oh, 00:32:55.500 --> 00:32:56.839 Lord, of having 00:32:56.839 --> 00:32:58.199 been with you, 00:32:59.339 --> 00:33:00.179 of having seen 00:33:00.179 --> 00:33:00.319 you. 00:33:00.379 --> 00:33:00.959 We pray this in 00:33:00.959 --> 00:33:01.519 Christ's name. 00:33:02.039 --> 00:33:02.279 Amen. 00:33:02.279 --> 00:33:02.399 Amen.