WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.080 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church. 00:00:05.719 --> 00:00:09.519 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, 00:00:09.880 --> 00:00:15.280 redistribution, or any other use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church. 00:00:15.280 --> 00:00:22.640 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:32.140 Hello, I'm Karp. I'm currently in between community groups. 00:00:32.500 --> 00:00:43.880 And this is a reading from the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 2, verses 22 through 35, as printed in your liturgy. 00:00:45.900 --> 00:00:50.859 When the time came for the purification rites required by the law of Moses, 00:00:50.859 --> 00:00:55.359 Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 00:00:55.939 --> 00:01:01.579 As it is written in the law of the Lord, every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord 00:01:01.579 --> 00:01:06.620 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the law of the Lord, 00:01:07.259 --> 00:01:09.480 a pair of doves or two young pigeons. 00:01:10.980 --> 00:01:15.400 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon who was righteous and devout. 00:01:15.719 --> 00:01:20.700 He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 00:01:20.859 --> 00:01:28.200 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 00:01:29.659 --> 00:01:33.060 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. 00:01:33.760 --> 00:01:38.819 When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the law required, 00:01:38.819 --> 00:01:43.059 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 00:01:43.879 --> 00:01:51.459 Sovereign Lord, you have promised, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 00:01:52.059 --> 00:01:57.280 For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations, 00:01:57.959 --> 00:02:02.379 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel. 00:02:02.379 --> 00:02:07.679 The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 00:02:08.500 --> 00:02:11.680 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, 00:02:12.359 --> 00:02:17.599 This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel 00:02:17.599 --> 00:02:20.800 and to be a sign that will be spoken against 00:02:20.800 --> 00:02:23.979 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed 00:02:23.979 --> 00:02:27.659 and a sword will pierce your own soul too. 00:02:28.939 --> 00:02:30.799 This is the gospel of the Lord. 00:02:31.459 --> 00:02:33.019 Praise to you, O Christ. 00:02:35.620 --> 00:02:36.839 Well, good morning, friends. 00:02:37.139 --> 00:02:38.239 Welcome to Christ Church. 00:02:38.339 --> 00:02:39.899 My name is Andrew, one of the pastors here. 00:02:40.039 --> 00:02:41.979 And I just love that nativity scene. 00:02:42.099 --> 00:02:44.000 My favorite was the star of the show. 00:02:44.399 --> 00:02:45.879 Shout out to Walter St. Clair. 00:02:46.139 --> 00:02:47.120 Great job there. 00:02:47.120 --> 00:02:52.319 We are going to open up another song of Christmas. 00:02:52.640 --> 00:02:54.939 But before we do that, let's go to the Lord in prayer. 00:02:58.280 --> 00:03:04.560 Father, would you give us eyes to see, ears to hear, hearts to receive your word 00:03:04.560 --> 00:03:12.980 and the glory of Christ come to us to save us, to redeem us, to make all things new. 00:03:12.979 --> 00:03:22.379 So help us to wait for him in faith and in faithfulness with great hope and anticipation and joy 00:03:22.379 --> 00:03:25.280 because your promises are good and true. 00:03:26.239 --> 00:03:27.500 And we trust you, O God. 00:03:27.859 --> 00:03:29.519 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:03:30.659 --> 00:03:33.439 All right, so on this final Sunday of Advent, 00:03:33.560 --> 00:03:37.299 we're looking at one more song from the beginning chapters of Luke's gospel. 00:03:37.419 --> 00:03:38.939 It's called the Song of Simeon, 00:03:38.939 --> 00:03:43.439 or as many Christians have liked to call it in Latin, the nunc dimittis. 00:03:43.479 --> 00:03:44.579 Can everyone say that with me? 00:03:45.000 --> 00:03:46.819 The nunc dimittis. 00:03:46.960 --> 00:03:49.400 All right, now what this means in English is nunc means now, 00:03:49.520 --> 00:03:50.840 dimittis means dismiss. 00:03:51.039 --> 00:03:53.900 So nunc dimittis in Latin means now dismiss, 00:03:54.240 --> 00:03:57.879 which are two words that come right out of the mouth of Simeon here in our text, 00:03:57.960 --> 00:03:58.900 right here in verse 29, 00:03:59.240 --> 00:04:05.699 as he takes baby Jesus into his arms and gazes upon this infant child with his very own eyes. 00:04:05.960 --> 00:04:08.259 Verse 28 says that he even praises God. 00:04:08.259 --> 00:04:09.659 He praises God and he says to God, 00:04:09.959 --> 00:04:13.419 now dismiss your servant in peace. 00:04:13.500 --> 00:04:17.539 And honestly, you know, there's not much more anyone knows about this guy, Simeon. 00:04:18.219 --> 00:04:21.740 But these words of his, these Holy Spirit-inspired words, 00:04:21.839 --> 00:04:26.139 this song has been recorded and remembered and treasured and recited for over 2,000 years 00:04:26.139 --> 00:04:31.120 in the history of the church across Protestant, Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox traditions. 00:04:31.120 --> 00:04:37.740 We all have Simeon's song, the nunc dimittis, in our liturgical books of worship and prayer and song. 00:04:38.079 --> 00:04:38.519 And why? 00:04:39.879 --> 00:04:44.220 Because who says such a thing as nunc dimittis? 00:04:44.220 --> 00:04:49.260 This is an incredibly striking statement that Simeon offers up to God. 00:04:49.300 --> 00:04:52.540 He's basically saying, I'm ready to die, God. 00:04:53.140 --> 00:04:54.200 You can take me now. 00:04:54.260 --> 00:04:55.560 He's saying, I'm ready to go. 00:04:56.420 --> 00:04:59.080 My life and my life's purposes are complete. 00:04:59.180 --> 00:04:59.560 I'm good. 00:04:59.660 --> 00:05:00.000 I'm done. 00:05:00.080 --> 00:05:04.740 There's nothing more for me to do, nothing more for me to see, nothing more for me to wait for. 00:05:04.800 --> 00:05:06.940 I'm at peace even with death. 00:05:06.939 --> 00:05:12.139 Simeon here is talking like everything he'd ever dreamed of seeing, everything he'd ever dreamed of experiencing, 00:05:12.800 --> 00:05:17.199 all of that was somehow fulfilled for him as soon as he came to this temple 00:05:17.199 --> 00:05:21.699 and entered into this moment where he took baby Jesus into his arms. 00:05:21.980 --> 00:05:27.060 This is an absolutely stunning, remarkable statement that we're looking at, the nunc dimittis. 00:05:27.060 --> 00:05:29.100 Now dismiss your servant in peace. 00:05:29.180 --> 00:05:32.100 Because again, who in the world says such a thing? 00:05:33.060 --> 00:05:35.659 And that's the question that I want us to ponder this morning. 00:05:36.380 --> 00:05:39.360 How might we be able to join in Simeon's song? 00:05:39.560 --> 00:05:41.560 How might we be able to come to the end of our lives? 00:05:41.620 --> 00:05:46.320 How might we be able to say as soon as today, Lord, I am ready to die. 00:05:46.720 --> 00:05:48.760 You may now dismiss your servant. 00:05:48.840 --> 00:05:49.880 I have fought the good fight. 00:05:50.220 --> 00:05:51.660 I have run the race. 00:05:51.660 --> 00:05:56.400 And my eyes have seen everything I've needed and dreamed to see fulfilled. 00:05:57.660 --> 00:06:00.200 You know, for me, this is a question I've thought a lot about. 00:06:00.600 --> 00:06:02.580 This past year, I turned 37. 00:06:02.579 --> 00:06:13.519 And, you know, this year I also found out that the average life expectancy, at least for U.S. men in 2022, was 74 years old. 00:06:13.959 --> 00:06:14.219 All right? 00:06:14.319 --> 00:06:15.740 So half that, right? 00:06:15.899 --> 00:06:17.159 37, 74, right? 00:06:17.160 --> 00:06:24.260 And I've been asking myself, in light of that lately, what do I have to show for these last 37 years? 00:06:24.960 --> 00:06:25.980 What do I say about that? 00:06:26.400 --> 00:06:35.360 And I've been asking God a lot lately, how, God, specifically, do you want me to spend whatever time I have left, maybe less than what I've lived? 00:06:36.320 --> 00:06:40.820 So that at the end of my life, how can I say, Lord, now dismiss your servant in peace? 00:06:40.819 --> 00:06:43.420 That's a question I've been asking God myself lately. 00:06:44.579 --> 00:06:50.959 Now, some of us maybe don't even think it's possible to come to the end of our lives, right, and say something like what Simeon said. 00:06:51.040 --> 00:06:56.000 Maybe some of us think that Simeon's words were simply just, you know, lavish hyperbole. 00:06:56.000 --> 00:07:06.339 Like when John Coltrane, he performed Love Supreme live and was so satisfied with his performance, he was heard to utter these words as he left the stage. 00:07:07.060 --> 00:07:09.300 Nunc dimittis servum tuum. 00:07:09.579 --> 00:07:11.540 Now dismiss your servant, right? 00:07:11.860 --> 00:07:14.439 But surely he didn't mean that literally, right? 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:16.259 Who would mean that literally? 00:07:17.220 --> 00:07:21.500 Or even if he did, maybe he was just one of the lucky few, right? 00:07:22.199 --> 00:07:30.079 Maybe some of us think that only a very select few, a super privileged, super lucky, super fortunate, super blessed people ever get to say, 00:07:30.500 --> 00:07:34.959 now dismiss your servant at the end of their lives and actually mean it. 00:07:35.019 --> 00:07:36.319 Maybe you know someone like that. 00:07:36.779 --> 00:07:38.139 Maybe you hope to be someone like that. 00:07:38.220 --> 00:07:40.420 I consider my mom actually someone like that. 00:07:40.420 --> 00:07:45.579 A couple years ago, as many of you may know, she was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. 00:07:46.540 --> 00:07:48.120 And she didn't know she was going to survive. 00:07:48.120 --> 00:07:54.519 She didn't know that she was going to live on, and thanks to God that she has, she has beat cancer. 00:07:54.620 --> 00:07:55.639 We're really thankful for that. 00:07:55.740 --> 00:07:56.920 But she didn't know that at the time. 00:07:56.959 --> 00:08:02.680 And I remember when she announced this to our family, she was teary-eyed as she announced this. 00:08:03.280 --> 00:08:09.879 And at the same time, you could tell she was also filled with incredible gratitude and contentment and peace. 00:08:09.879 --> 00:08:13.379 And not knowing the road ahead, she was able to say, you know what, though? 00:08:14.139 --> 00:08:15.120 God has been faithful. 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:16.879 God has been kind. 00:08:17.420 --> 00:08:18.219 God has been generous. 00:08:19.120 --> 00:08:22.800 And I have accomplished and seen pretty much everything I'd ever hoped and more. 00:08:23.500 --> 00:08:24.420 And she said, I'm ready. 00:08:24.959 --> 00:08:25.600 I'm ready. 00:08:26.459 --> 00:08:29.980 And it made sense to us because she's really had a wonderful legacy. 00:08:30.439 --> 00:08:32.120 My mom was a high school principal. 00:08:32.120 --> 00:08:41.120 She started an award-winning Christian school in Hayward, where many students locally and globally have met Christ and become well-adjusted Christian professionals. 00:08:41.320 --> 00:08:45.820 She retired with, you know, the respect and admiration of her colleagues and family. 00:08:45.940 --> 00:08:48.120 She raised three kids who are still walking with Jesus. 00:08:48.799 --> 00:08:49.740 Well, I don't know. 00:08:49.799 --> 00:08:51.460 You can judge whether or not I am. 00:08:51.659 --> 00:08:54.980 But three kids who still love Jesus and her servant in the church. 00:08:55.379 --> 00:08:58.060 And she even got to become a grandma to three grandchildren. 00:08:58.700 --> 00:09:01.100 And they all live within 15 minutes of where she lives. 00:09:01.100 --> 00:09:03.639 And she's literally living her dream. 00:09:04.019 --> 00:09:06.480 And her friends tell her all the time how blessed she is. 00:09:06.620 --> 00:09:07.440 And she knows it. 00:09:07.460 --> 00:09:08.680 And she believes it. 00:09:09.940 --> 00:09:13.000 But not everyone has a story like that, right? 00:09:13.580 --> 00:09:15.720 Not everyone has such a happy ending life story. 00:09:15.779 --> 00:09:19.480 Actually, most of us are trying to work our butts off to give ourselves just the best chance. 00:09:19.740 --> 00:09:23.620 Just a chance to say, ah, my life story is complete, right? 00:09:23.800 --> 00:09:26.580 I'm satisfied and I can die in peace now. 00:09:26.580 --> 00:09:31.200 Well, these words of Simeon's are words that we're really, all of us are after. 00:09:31.440 --> 00:09:32.960 We're all after these words, right? 00:09:33.420 --> 00:09:37.580 Even those of us who don't or aren't sure we can believe in God, maybe some of us wouldn't say, 00:09:37.920 --> 00:09:40.360 Lord, now dismiss your servant in peace. 00:09:40.379 --> 00:09:44.080 But we all still want to say at the end of our lives, I can die in peace. 00:09:44.560 --> 00:09:50.879 And with fulfillment and contentment after a life well lived, a life of meaning and purpose. 00:09:50.879 --> 00:09:53.939 But again, the question is, is this even possible? 00:09:54.600 --> 00:09:59.000 Can we get to that place of fulfillment and contentment at the end of our lives? 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:00.059 And if so, how? 00:10:00.139 --> 00:10:07.179 If I could put it another way, what is it that our eyes need to behold in order for us to die in peace? 00:10:08.100 --> 00:10:11.600 What is it that our eyes need to behold in order for us to die in peace? 00:10:11.639 --> 00:10:14.539 And here's where we open up our text and listen for what God has to say. 00:10:14.779 --> 00:10:15.879 Beginning here in verse 22. 00:10:15.879 --> 00:10:20.439 This is the context for Simeon's famous song, Nunc Dimittis. 00:10:20.500 --> 00:10:21.519 Verse 22, read with me. 00:10:21.580 --> 00:10:25.179 When the time came for the purification rites required by the law of Moses, 00:10:26.039 --> 00:10:30.919 Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord as it is written in the law of the Lord. 00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:34.240 Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord 00:10:34.240 --> 00:10:38.580 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the law of the Lord. 00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:41.559 A pair of doves or two young pigeons. 00:10:41.559 --> 00:10:46.319 So before Simeon even comes onto the scene to utter his famous words, Nunc Dimittis, 00:10:46.619 --> 00:10:50.399 we need to remember that the center of this story, it isn't Simeon. 00:10:51.399 --> 00:10:56.319 Even the center of Simeon's story isn't Simeon, nor are we the centers of any of our stories. 00:10:56.439 --> 00:11:03.759 No, Simeon and all the rest of us, we are mere secondary, tertiary actors in Jesus' ultimate story. 00:11:03.859 --> 00:11:05.819 He is the center of all our stories. 00:11:06.279 --> 00:11:10.759 So here in verse 22, what we have is Joseph and Mary with the 41-day-old infant Jesus. 00:11:10.759 --> 00:11:15.000 The heavens have just been filled with angels singing glory to God in the highest 00:11:15.000 --> 00:11:18.019 and peace on earth over this little Jewish baby. 00:11:18.519 --> 00:11:23.419 Shepherds have come out of nowhere looking to find and behold and celebrate and glorify God over Jesus. 00:11:24.179 --> 00:11:28.279 And Mary has just been taking all this in, trying to understand it, putting all the pieces together, 00:11:28.799 --> 00:11:33.659 treasuring these things in her heart with faith and openness and wonder. 00:11:34.639 --> 00:11:36.559 And at this point, they are still in Bethlehem. 00:11:36.600 --> 00:11:38.059 They haven't moved back to Nazareth yet. 00:11:38.059 --> 00:11:39.559 They still have their newborn. 00:11:39.779 --> 00:11:41.139 They're not far from Jerusalem. 00:11:41.799 --> 00:11:45.799 And as verse 22 says, according to the purification rites required by the law of Moses, 00:11:46.299 --> 00:11:49.959 Jesus is taken to Jerusalem for his parents to present him to the Lord. 00:11:50.019 --> 00:11:55.879 And this is meant to show us that Jesus was raised in a God-fearing, faithful Torah-observing family. 00:11:56.279 --> 00:11:56.379 Right? 00:11:56.779 --> 00:11:58.439 The law is mentioned actually three times here. 00:11:58.579 --> 00:12:01.299 Verse 22, verse 23, verse 24. 00:12:01.419 --> 00:12:04.339 This is a godly family devoted to the Lord. 00:12:04.340 --> 00:12:12.540 And even though they are relatively poor, verse 24 indicates that they are only able to afford two young birds rather than the one-year-old lamb. 00:12:13.139 --> 00:12:19.540 Even in their poverty, they intend to raise Jesus up in the way that he should go and that he should not depart from it. 00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:29.759 And at the same time, what they're also doing as they're presenting Jesus to the Lord is that they're recognizing that this child of theirs is not primarily theirs. 00:12:29.759 --> 00:12:33.200 This child belongs to the Lord. 00:12:34.039 --> 00:12:36.639 And this is actually a word for all of us parents. 00:12:36.759 --> 00:12:40.120 I think it's the best advice I've ever heard for parents. 00:12:40.259 --> 00:12:42.759 It's that our children, they are not our own. 00:12:43.379 --> 00:12:44.620 But they belong to the Lord. 00:12:44.840 --> 00:12:49.259 They don't exist to fulfill our dreams but to fulfill God's calling upon their lives. 00:12:49.319 --> 00:12:51.340 And he is in control of their destinies. 00:12:51.340 --> 00:12:56.860 And it is actually precisely because of this that we are at the same time responsible for them. 00:12:57.220 --> 00:13:00.960 To help them discern and discover and fulfill those purposes from God. 00:13:01.160 --> 00:13:03.759 Precisely because our children are not our own. 00:13:03.820 --> 00:13:06.220 This is the best word on parenting I can think of. 00:13:06.259 --> 00:13:09.019 And I'd love to do a whole sermon on that sometime, but another day. 00:13:10.139 --> 00:13:14.259 But all this again is to show that the story here is centered on Jesus. 00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:19.519 This helpless, vulnerable baby who can, all he can do is eat, sleep, cry, poop, and pee. 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:22.699 He is the center of the story, even as a baby. 00:13:23.579 --> 00:13:28.360 And God is putting all these faithful people and influences around him, like his parents, 00:13:28.779 --> 00:13:30.199 and like we'll see, Simeon. 00:13:30.439 --> 00:13:35.879 Each of them playing their roles, living out their life's callings in faith and in faithfulness to God 00:13:35.879 --> 00:13:37.419 in service of the Messiah. 00:13:38.460 --> 00:13:40.500 Okay, and now enter in verse 25, Simeon. 00:13:40.860 --> 00:13:45.899 Okay, now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon who was righteous and devout. 00:13:45.899 --> 00:13:49.059 So it's another God-fearing influence that's brought near to infant Jesus. 00:13:49.059 --> 00:13:54.579 It's another Torah-observing, justice-seeking, pious, prayerful, humble, God-fearing influence. 00:13:54.719 --> 00:13:56.899 And verse 25 says he was waiting. 00:13:57.819 --> 00:14:02.199 He was waiting for the consolation, the comfort, and encouragement of Israel. 00:14:03.059 --> 00:14:08.939 And see, this waiting, this waiting for consolation was actually evidence of his righteousness and of his devotion. 00:14:09.099 --> 00:14:12.139 This is what every righteous and devout Jewish person was to do. 00:14:12.219 --> 00:14:13.719 They were to wait in faith. 00:14:13.720 --> 00:14:18.620 Even waiting their whole lives under the occupation of this pagan Roman Empire, 00:14:18.720 --> 00:14:23.639 even waiting at the tail end of 400 years of silence from any of the prophets of Yahweh, 00:14:23.720 --> 00:14:29.399 he was waiting in faith, believing the promise of God that consolation and encouragement and comfort 00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:33.180 were coming to God's people just because God said so. 00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:37.740 No matter what their circumstances looked like, no matter how long they had to wait, 00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:39.539 God had spoken through his prophets. 00:14:39.659 --> 00:14:41.379 The prophet Isaiah said in Isaiah 52, 00:14:41.560 --> 00:14:45.240 burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, 00:14:45.600 --> 00:14:47.940 for the Lord has comforted his people. 00:14:48.620 --> 00:14:49.840 He has redeemed Jerusalem. 00:14:50.180 --> 00:14:53.500 And Simeon believed this promise from Isaiah 52. 00:14:53.680 --> 00:14:57.860 He believed these promises enough that he was willing to wait for them his entire life, 00:14:57.919 --> 00:15:01.180 his whole life, as though they would be fulfilled. 00:15:01.179 --> 00:15:05.779 And this is a good word for us Christians to pause and reflect upon, 00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:08.039 especially in this season of Advent, right? 00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:11.559 This Advent season is a season to remind ourselves that we too, 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:15.919 just like Simeon, are awaiting our final consolation. 00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:18.379 When Christ returns to make all things new, 00:15:18.459 --> 00:15:23.299 to wipe away every tear and bring the final justice and shalom of his kingdom, 00:15:23.899 --> 00:15:27.219 Simeon's waiting is a beautiful model for our waiting. 00:15:27.979 --> 00:15:29.419 No matter how long we have to wait, 00:15:29.419 --> 00:15:31.819 no matter what our circumstances look like, 00:15:32.419 --> 00:15:34.740 will we believe the promises of God? 00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:36.860 And will we live by faith, 00:15:37.279 --> 00:15:40.240 as though these promises will be fulfilled in Christ 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:42.439 and in God's perfect timing? 00:15:43.579 --> 00:15:44.539 That's hard, right? 00:15:45.199 --> 00:15:46.259 It's hard to wait. 00:15:46.399 --> 00:15:49.860 Waiting's hard, because to quote the pastor and author Mark Rogop, 00:15:50.299 --> 00:15:54.099 waiting is what you do when you can't do what you want to do, right? 00:15:54.939 --> 00:15:57.019 Waiting's what you do when you can't do what you want to do. 00:15:57.019 --> 00:16:00.460 But you know, in his excellent book, Waiting Isn't a Waste, 00:16:00.919 --> 00:16:03.960 Mark Rogop would encourage us that waiting on God 00:16:03.960 --> 00:16:07.480 is actually living on what we know to be true about God 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:10.939 when we don't know what's true about our life stories. 00:16:11.960 --> 00:16:12.259 He says, 00:16:12.340 --> 00:16:15.360 Waiting faithfully is living on what I know to be true about God 00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:18.399 when I don't know what's true about my own life. 00:16:19.659 --> 00:16:23.399 Waiting faithfully means seeing our seasons of delay as opportunities 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:29.199 to hope and trust in and commune with our unhurried and unworried God. 00:16:30.279 --> 00:16:32.639 I love how the Bible teacher Jen Wilkin puts it. 00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:33.360 She says, 00:16:33.459 --> 00:16:36.740 In our culture, waiting is seen as an evil to eliminate 00:16:36.740 --> 00:16:38.740 instead of a virtue to cultivate. 00:16:39.679 --> 00:16:41.600 And because waiting is seen as the enemy, 00:16:41.779 --> 00:16:43.519 our anger and frustration flare 00:16:43.519 --> 00:16:46.379 when our expected timetables are not met. 00:16:47.199 --> 00:16:49.860 But here is the good news for the Christ follower. 00:16:49.860 --> 00:16:53.480 If you've been looking for a simple way to shine like a star 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.759 in a crooked generation, 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:58.159 cultivate the virtue of patience in waiting. 00:16:59.480 --> 00:17:01.720 Admittedly, that is much easier said than done. 00:17:01.800 --> 00:17:03.980 It's one thing to wait for your coffee drink in a drive-thru, 00:17:04.339 --> 00:17:06.799 and it's quite another to wait for an illness to resolve 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:09.839 or a long-overdue apology to be spoken. 00:17:10.539 --> 00:17:14.400 The sheer number of hard waits we will face in our lifetimes 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:17.780 presents both the challenge and the opportunity 00:17:17.780 --> 00:17:21.060 of growing in virtue, of growing in Christlikeness. 00:17:21.140 --> 00:17:21.400 She writes, 00:17:21.640 --> 00:17:24.580 Impatience is all well and good for those without faith, 00:17:25.600 --> 00:17:28.160 but the Christian faith is by definition 00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:29.940 one of delayed gratification. 00:17:30.080 --> 00:17:33.920 The children of God are and always have been called upon to wait. 00:17:34.780 --> 00:17:37.300 We wait for God's kingdom to come in fullness, 00:17:37.299 --> 00:17:40.259 but our waiting is distinctly different 00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:41.639 from that of the faithless. 00:17:42.399 --> 00:17:44.740 No white-knuckled, jaw-clenched waiting will do 00:17:44.740 --> 00:17:46.220 for those whose hope is anchored 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:49.180 in the bedrock of the finished work of Christ. 00:17:50.399 --> 00:17:52.519 Like Simeon, Christians who profess 00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:54.159 the first and final comings of Christ, 00:17:54.500 --> 00:17:58.079 our waiting is a hopeful, joyful, eager waiting 00:17:58.079 --> 00:17:59.539 that draws us nearer to God 00:17:59.539 --> 00:18:02.619 and makes us more sensitive to His Holy Spirit 00:18:02.619 --> 00:18:05.059 as we marinate in His words and His promises. 00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:06.859 And that's why it says here in verse 25 00:18:06.859 --> 00:18:09.579 that the Holy Spirit was upon this righteous, 00:18:09.980 --> 00:18:12.460 devout, faith-filled man named Simeon. 00:18:12.579 --> 00:18:15.000 Simeon was waiting for the consolation of Israel 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:16.859 no matter what and no matter how long 00:18:16.859 --> 00:18:19.599 he was stewing in the words and promises 00:18:19.599 --> 00:18:21.599 that God had spoken by the Holy Spirit 00:18:21.599 --> 00:18:24.779 as He lived through them for however long 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:25.659 it was going to take. 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:27.899 And he lived as though these promises 00:18:27.899 --> 00:18:28.960 were going to be fulfilled, 00:18:29.299 --> 00:18:30.919 and thus the power and the presence 00:18:30.919 --> 00:18:33.639 and the clarity and direction of God were upon him. 00:18:33.640 --> 00:18:35.320 And in fact, Simeon was so sensitive 00:18:35.320 --> 00:18:38.640 to the Spirit's voice in the words and promises of God 00:18:38.640 --> 00:18:40.540 that he had the prophetic insight 00:18:40.540 --> 00:18:43.540 and intuition and discernment, verse 26 says, 00:18:44.620 --> 00:18:46.680 to see what was going to happen in his own lifetime. 00:18:47.060 --> 00:18:48.820 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit 00:18:48.820 --> 00:18:53.080 that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:56.300 Now just imagine that for a second. 00:18:56.980 --> 00:18:58.640 The Holy Spirit revealing to you 00:18:58.640 --> 00:19:00.540 that after your people had been waiting 00:19:00.540 --> 00:19:02.660 for 400 plus years, 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:05.220 you would get to see the Messiah. 00:19:06.320 --> 00:19:09.360 But also, without telling you exactly when, 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:11.880 how would that affect your life 00:19:11.880 --> 00:19:13.560 if you got that message? 00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:16.259 What do you do with a promise like that? 00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:19.560 Well, it appears that Simeon, like Mary and Joseph, 00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:22.300 he just treasured this revelation in his heart. 00:19:23.220 --> 00:19:24.259 He didn't force the issue. 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:26.259 He continued to live faithfully, 00:19:27.099 --> 00:19:29.819 wondering exactly how this promise would be fulfilled. 00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:30.720 But in the meantime, 00:19:30.879 --> 00:19:33.000 he simply sought to be obedient to the Spirit 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:36.259 in everyday faithful service to God. 00:19:36.339 --> 00:19:38.319 He wasn't preoccupied with predicting 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:39.559 or guessing the future, 00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:41.759 but trusted that God would do what he said 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:44.220 and just lived according to what God said 00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:46.359 in his word, faithfully and patiently, 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:49.619 regardless of God's secret timing. 00:19:49.619 --> 00:19:52.679 And so verse 27 says that 00:19:52.679 --> 00:19:54.259 when the time came, 00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:56.079 moved by the Spirit, 00:19:56.739 --> 00:19:58.000 he went into the temple courts, 00:19:58.059 --> 00:19:59.859 as was likely his devout practice. 00:20:00.339 --> 00:20:01.579 And he'd probably seen babies 00:20:01.579 --> 00:20:02.599 brought to the temple courts 00:20:02.599 --> 00:20:04.379 every day of his life, right? 00:20:04.579 --> 00:20:05.619 Baby after baby, 00:20:05.739 --> 00:20:07.979 purification ritual after purification ritual. 00:20:08.099 --> 00:20:09.099 Oh, how nice. 00:20:09.399 --> 00:20:10.159 Oh, how cute. 00:20:10.379 --> 00:20:10.919 How sweet. 00:20:11.139 --> 00:20:12.039 Good for that family. 00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:13.679 He probably thought to himself, 00:20:13.939 --> 00:20:15.000 you know, a thousand times, 00:20:15.059 --> 00:20:15.899 I hope this little boy 00:20:15.899 --> 00:20:17.699 becomes a nice young Jewish boy. 00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:20.440 But this day was gonna be different 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:21.860 because verse 27 says, 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:22.519 on this day, 00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:24.680 the parents brought in the child Jesus 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:25.500 to do for him 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:27.240 what the custom of the law required 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:29.019 and filled with the Holy Spirit, 00:20:29.880 --> 00:20:31.940 this stranger, Simeon, 00:20:32.360 --> 00:20:33.740 he goes to Mary and Joseph 00:20:33.740 --> 00:20:34.860 and filled with the Spirit, 00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:37.519 they somehow let him take baby Jesus 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:39.380 into his arms, right? 00:20:40.039 --> 00:20:41.299 And verse 28 says, 00:20:42.059 --> 00:20:43.580 Simeon took him in his arms 00:20:43.580 --> 00:20:45.500 and praised God. 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:47.160 And can I just say 00:20:47.160 --> 00:20:49.420 what a beautiful picture this is to me, 00:20:49.579 --> 00:20:51.119 this lifelong, faithful, 00:20:51.599 --> 00:20:53.740 spiritual grandpa figure, right, 00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:54.420 in Jerusalem, 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:56.359 holding someone else's baby 00:20:56.359 --> 00:20:57.779 in the house of God 00:20:57.779 --> 00:20:58.799 and praising God, 00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:01.619 singing praises over this baby. 00:21:02.680 --> 00:21:03.799 I mean, think of all the children 00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:04.700 and all the babies 00:21:04.700 --> 00:21:06.039 that Jesus would one day take 00:21:06.039 --> 00:21:07.299 into his own arms, 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:08.200 just like Simeon 00:21:08.200 --> 00:21:11.339 so lovingly and affectionately did with him. 00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:12.180 This is the opposite 00:21:12.180 --> 00:21:13.500 of generational trauma. 00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:16.119 This is generational blessing right here. 00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:17.680 And I want to encourage us 00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:18.480 to be a church 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:20.880 that's a baby-stealing community, 00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:21.599 all right? 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:23.319 Let's take those babies 00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:25.519 and praise God over them. 00:21:25.579 --> 00:21:26.579 Let's hold each other's babies. 00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:28.799 Let's let each other hold our babies. 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:31.640 And let's love each other's children. 00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:33.799 Let's love what we see up here, 00:21:34.299 --> 00:21:34.559 right? 00:21:34.940 --> 00:21:36.099 Let's praise God together 00:21:36.099 --> 00:21:37.299 over these children 00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:38.839 and trust that God will one day 00:21:38.839 --> 00:21:40.059 raise up young men 00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:41.200 and young women 00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:42.299 out of these babies 00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:44.220 that will do the same, 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:47.059 that will be baby huggers themselves, 00:21:47.299 --> 00:21:48.019 baby blessers, 00:21:48.159 --> 00:21:50.039 baby prayer champions as well. 00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:52.500 Simeon here is a picture 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:54.220 of a faithful older saint 00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:55.419 connecting with 00:21:55.419 --> 00:21:56.399 and investing in 00:21:56.399 --> 00:21:57.159 and valuing 00:21:57.159 --> 00:21:58.359 the next generation 00:21:58.359 --> 00:21:59.179 who he hopes 00:21:59.179 --> 00:22:00.519 will accomplish even more 00:22:00.519 --> 00:22:01.720 than his own generation. 00:22:01.859 --> 00:22:03.119 He sees in baby Jesus 00:22:03.119 --> 00:22:04.819 an answer to so many 00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:05.500 of his prayers. 00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:07.480 And another soul 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:08.779 he sees in Jesus. 00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:09.740 He sees in Jesus 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.460 another soul 00:22:10.460 --> 00:22:11.099 who will continue 00:22:11.099 --> 00:22:12.740 God's work in the world. 00:22:13.660 --> 00:22:14.980 Hope that's our heart as well 00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:16.039 here at Christ Church. 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:16.900 But what's even cooler 00:22:16.900 --> 00:22:17.579 is that, you know, 00:22:17.640 --> 00:22:18.039 normally 00:22:18.039 --> 00:22:19.619 when someone might 00:22:19.619 --> 00:22:20.859 take a baby into their arms, 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:21.519 they might speak 00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:22.460 a blessing over them. 00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:23.619 They might make a petition 00:22:23.619 --> 00:22:24.099 to God 00:22:24.099 --> 00:22:25.339 on the child's behalf, right? 00:22:25.380 --> 00:22:25.799 Like, Lord, 00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:26.660 make this child 00:22:26.660 --> 00:22:27.619 a mighty man of God. 00:22:27.700 --> 00:22:28.400 Make this child 00:22:28.400 --> 00:22:29.440 a woman of faith 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:30.599 and prayer, right? 00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:32.059 But Simeon, 00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:32.660 he doesn't bring 00:22:32.660 --> 00:22:33.680 a petition here 00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:34.860 asking God 00:22:34.860 --> 00:22:36.759 to make something 00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:37.320 of the baby. 00:22:37.840 --> 00:22:38.100 Rather, 00:22:38.640 --> 00:22:39.180 he utters 00:22:39.180 --> 00:22:40.759 a prophetic proclamation. 00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:41.539 It's not a petition. 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:42.539 It's a proclamation 00:22:42.539 --> 00:22:43.480 because this is 00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:44.420 no ordinary child. 00:22:45.360 --> 00:22:47.060 He knows with certainty 00:22:47.060 --> 00:22:48.140 what and who 00:22:48.140 --> 00:22:49.060 this child is. 00:22:49.140 --> 00:22:49.620 Verse 29, 00:22:49.779 --> 00:22:50.080 he says, 00:22:50.440 --> 00:22:51.140 Sovereign Lord, 00:22:51.340 --> 00:22:52.500 as you have promised, 00:22:52.960 --> 00:22:54.080 you may now dismiss 00:22:54.080 --> 00:22:55.120 your servant in peace 00:22:55.120 --> 00:22:56.060 for my eyes 00:22:56.060 --> 00:22:56.620 have seen 00:22:56.620 --> 00:22:57.880 your salvation. 00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:59.140 He sees in this child 00:22:59.140 --> 00:23:00.080 the salvation 00:23:00.080 --> 00:23:01.120 of the world 00:23:01.120 --> 00:23:02.900 which you have prepared 00:23:02.900 --> 00:23:03.420 in the sight 00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:04.220 of all nations 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:05.820 a light for revelation 00:23:05.820 --> 00:23:06.720 to the Gentiles 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.660 and the glory 00:23:07.660 --> 00:23:09.100 of your people Israel. 00:23:09.340 --> 00:23:11.120 Simeon was proclaiming 00:23:11.120 --> 00:23:11.740 to the world 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:12.960 that in his arms 00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:14.480 was the salvation 00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:15.160 of the world. 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:16.800 And not just 00:23:16.800 --> 00:23:17.960 for his people Israel 00:23:17.960 --> 00:23:19.220 but for all nations 00:23:19.220 --> 00:23:19.880 to behold. 00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:21.040 That was the glory 00:23:21.040 --> 00:23:21.360 of Israel. 00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:22.120 The glory of Israel 00:23:22.120 --> 00:23:22.800 was not that they were 00:23:22.800 --> 00:23:23.680 going to be some supreme, 00:23:23.840 --> 00:23:24.980 superior, glorious nation 00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:25.980 but Israel's glory 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:27.160 is that the Messiah 00:23:27.160 --> 00:23:28.160 who would save 00:23:28.160 --> 00:23:29.040 all nations 00:23:29.040 --> 00:23:30.440 would come 00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:31.080 from the line 00:23:31.079 --> 00:23:31.639 of Abraham 00:23:31.639 --> 00:23:32.599 and Isaac 00:23:32.599 --> 00:23:33.339 and Jacob 00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:34.079 and King David. 00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:35.279 You see, 00:23:35.439 --> 00:23:35.779 this, 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:37.559 this is what loosened 00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:38.599 Simeon's lips 00:23:38.599 --> 00:23:40.759 to utter Nunc Dimittis. 00:23:40.839 --> 00:23:41.299 Verse 29, 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:42.079 Sovereign Lord, 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:43.240 as you have promised, 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:44.419 you may now dismiss 00:23:44.419 --> 00:23:45.319 your servant in peace 00:23:45.319 --> 00:23:47.339 for my eyes 00:23:47.339 --> 00:23:47.939 have seen it. 00:23:48.579 --> 00:23:49.460 My eyes have seen 00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:50.079 your salvation. 00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:51.919 I love how the German 00:23:51.919 --> 00:23:52.980 Catholic commentator 00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:54.019 Friedrich Nucht 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.819 wrote, 00:23:55.399 --> 00:23:56.619 Simeon now rejoiced 00:23:56.619 --> 00:23:57.439 at the prospect 00:23:57.439 --> 00:23:58.079 of death. 00:23:58.839 --> 00:23:59.699 Such a sensation 00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:00.720 was hitherto unknown 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:01.259 in Israel. 00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:02.840 Pious Israelites 00:24:02.840 --> 00:24:03.620 closed their eyes 00:24:03.620 --> 00:24:03.980 in death, 00:24:04.100 --> 00:24:04.819 weary of life 00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:05.720 and submissive 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:06.319 to God's will, 00:24:06.400 --> 00:24:07.319 not altogether hopeless 00:24:07.319 --> 00:24:08.440 but full of horror 00:24:08.440 --> 00:24:09.660 of the future. 00:24:10.580 --> 00:24:11.160 Death was a thing 00:24:11.160 --> 00:24:11.819 to be feared 00:24:11.819 --> 00:24:13.000 and each new day 00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:13.519 of life, 00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.440 which was granted, 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:15.120 was looked on 00:24:15.120 --> 00:24:15.840 as a gain. 00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:17.400 But all at once, 00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:18.819 everything was changed. 00:24:19.340 --> 00:24:20.100 Holy Simeon 00:24:20.100 --> 00:24:21.319 had seen the Savior 00:24:21.319 --> 00:24:22.759 and was now ready 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:24.180 to die joyfully. 00:24:24.880 --> 00:24:25.400 In fact, 00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:26.340 he did die 00:24:26.340 --> 00:24:27.340 very soon after. 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.220 A pious tradition 00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:29.000 even goes so far 00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:29.940 as to say that he died 00:24:29.940 --> 00:24:30.940 before he left 00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:31.420 the temple. 00:24:32.180 --> 00:24:33.099 He was thus the first 00:24:33.099 --> 00:24:34.460 to take the joyful news 00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:35.500 to limbo 00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:36.599 that the Savior 00:24:36.599 --> 00:24:37.200 was born 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:38.759 and the day of salvation 00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:39.859 at hand. 00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:41.099 See, 00:24:41.160 --> 00:24:42.259 the thing that our eyes 00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:42.740 must see, 00:24:42.839 --> 00:24:44.240 the thing that the human eye 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:44.900 must behold 00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:45.700 if it is to be filled 00:24:45.700 --> 00:24:46.299 with light 00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:47.160 and hope 00:24:47.160 --> 00:24:47.559 and joy 00:24:47.559 --> 00:24:48.160 and peace 00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:50.019 is Jesus Christ, 00:24:50.400 --> 00:24:51.380 the Savior of the world. 00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:52.619 It's only when we gaze 00:24:52.619 --> 00:24:53.279 upon Jesus 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:54.640 with this kind of faith 00:24:54.640 --> 00:24:55.319 that any of us 00:24:55.319 --> 00:24:55.839 will ever be able 00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:56.079 to say, 00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:56.459 Lord, 00:24:57.059 --> 00:24:58.220 now dismiss 00:24:58.220 --> 00:24:59.119 your servant 00:24:59.119 --> 00:24:59.759 in peace. 00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:00.559 It's only when our eyes 00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:00.959 have seen 00:25:00.959 --> 00:25:02.179 the incredible salvation 00:25:02.179 --> 00:25:03.199 that God has written 00:25:03.199 --> 00:25:04.379 into history 00:25:04.379 --> 00:25:05.319 in the history 00:25:05.319 --> 00:25:05.980 of his Son. 00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:07.359 And listen, 00:25:07.439 --> 00:25:08.039 this isn't just 00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:09.299 any salvation plan, 00:25:09.379 --> 00:25:09.500 right? 00:25:09.539 --> 00:25:10.079 This isn't just 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:10.939 one among 00:25:10.939 --> 00:25:11.939 a million other 00:25:11.939 --> 00:25:13.000 happy-go-lucky 00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:14.139 religious myths 00:25:14.139 --> 00:25:15.279 about some wishful 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:16.179 future utopian 00:25:16.179 --> 00:25:16.919 existence 00:25:16.919 --> 00:25:18.159 that the Christian God 00:25:18.159 --> 00:25:19.279 just happens to promise 00:25:19.279 --> 00:25:20.119 to people 00:25:20.119 --> 00:25:21.519 no matter what. 00:25:21.619 --> 00:25:21.799 No, 00:25:21.899 --> 00:25:22.939 from verse 33 00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:23.700 to 35, 00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:25.220 you can sense here 00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:27.460 a change of tone 00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:28.380 in Simeon's voice, 00:25:28.460 --> 00:25:29.460 a change of even demeanor. 00:25:30.620 --> 00:25:30.759 Now, 00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:31.539 Simeon doesn't know 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.539 the fullness of the story 00:25:32.539 --> 00:25:33.500 and all its details, 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.420 nor do Mary 00:25:34.420 --> 00:25:35.279 nor Joseph. 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:36.380 Verse 33 says 00:25:36.380 --> 00:25:37.580 that the child's father 00:25:37.580 --> 00:25:38.620 and mother marveled 00:25:38.620 --> 00:25:39.799 at what was said about him. 00:25:39.860 --> 00:25:40.340 They're trying to put 00:25:40.340 --> 00:25:41.420 the pieces together as well. 00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:42.320 No one at this point 00:25:42.320 --> 00:25:43.420 knows all the specifics 00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:45.160 of God's salvation plan 00:25:45.160 --> 00:25:45.900 for this little 00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:47.600 41-day-old infant. 00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:48.840 However, 00:25:49.680 --> 00:25:50.180 Simeon, 00:25:50.620 --> 00:25:51.680 filled with the Holy Spirit, 00:25:51.680 --> 00:25:53.660 he does have some inkling 00:25:53.660 --> 00:25:55.320 about this very unique 00:25:55.320 --> 00:25:57.299 and sobering salvation story 00:25:57.299 --> 00:25:58.019 that's surrounding 00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:59.299 baby Jesus. 00:25:59.820 --> 00:26:00.279 Look with me 00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:01.039 at verse 34. 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:03.220 Then Simeon blessed them 00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:03.940 and said to Mary, 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:04.440 his mother, 00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:06.180 this child is destined 00:26:06.180 --> 00:26:07.320 to cause the falling 00:26:07.320 --> 00:26:08.840 and rising of many 00:26:08.840 --> 00:26:09.480 in Israel 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:10.580 and to be a sign 00:26:10.580 --> 00:26:11.600 that will be spoken against 00:26:11.600 --> 00:26:12.299 so that the thoughts 00:26:12.299 --> 00:26:13.019 of many hearts 00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:14.039 will be revealed 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:15.720 and a sword will pierce 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:16.920 your own soul too, 00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:18.080 he's saying to Mary. 00:26:19.100 --> 00:26:19.580 Simeon, 00:26:19.900 --> 00:26:20.580 he may not know 00:26:20.579 --> 00:26:21.839 exactly how Jesus 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:22.579 will be the Savior 00:26:22.579 --> 00:26:22.939 of the world, 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:24.220 but he does see in Jesus 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:25.579 a polarizing, 00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:26.639 divisive figure 00:26:26.639 --> 00:26:27.839 who many will oppose 00:26:27.839 --> 00:26:28.899 and speak against 00:26:28.899 --> 00:26:29.559 because of everything 00:26:29.559 --> 00:26:30.419 that he and his kingdom 00:26:30.419 --> 00:26:31.139 stand for 00:26:31.139 --> 00:26:31.980 that will be at odds 00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:33.139 with all the arrogant 00:26:33.139 --> 00:26:34.619 empires of the world. 00:26:34.740 --> 00:26:35.740 Simeon sees a Savior 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:37.659 who is truly for all people 00:26:37.659 --> 00:26:38.679 from every nation, 00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:39.299 tribe, and tongue, 00:26:39.379 --> 00:26:39.960 but he doesn't see 00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:41.059 a universalist, 00:26:41.399 --> 00:26:42.399 relativistic Savior 00:26:42.399 --> 00:26:43.599 who will just please everyone, 00:26:43.939 --> 00:26:44.759 make everyone happy, 00:26:44.879 --> 00:26:46.299 and just indiscriminately 00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:47.359 save even those 00:26:47.359 --> 00:26:47.960 who oppose him. 00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:49.740 No, just as God said 00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:50.380 to Adam and Eve, 00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:50.900 there's going to be 00:26:50.900 --> 00:26:51.860 the offspring of the woman 00:26:51.860 --> 00:26:52.920 and the offspring 00:26:52.920 --> 00:26:53.640 of the serpent. 00:26:54.420 --> 00:26:55.380 Grown up, Rabbi Jesus 00:26:55.380 --> 00:26:56.440 would say the same thing, 00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:57.180 do not suppose 00:26:57.180 --> 00:26:57.640 that I have come 00:26:57.640 --> 00:26:58.460 to bring peace to earth, 00:26:58.500 --> 00:26:59.059 I did not come 00:26:59.059 --> 00:26:59.600 to bring peace 00:26:59.600 --> 00:27:00.259 but a sword, 00:27:00.880 --> 00:27:01.460 for I have come 00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:02.220 to turn a man 00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:02.940 against his father, 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:04.059 a daughter against her mother, 00:27:04.120 --> 00:27:04.720 a daughter-in-law 00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:05.880 against her mother-in-law, 00:27:05.960 --> 00:27:06.720 a man's enemies 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:07.700 will be the members 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:08.880 of his own household. 00:27:09.240 --> 00:27:09.779 Whoever does not 00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:10.720 take up their cross 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:11.579 and follow me 00:27:11.579 --> 00:27:12.660 is not worthy of me. 00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:14.340 Whoever finds their life 00:27:14.340 --> 00:27:15.000 will lose it, 00:27:15.200 --> 00:27:16.340 and whoever loses their life 00:27:16.340 --> 00:27:17.000 for my sake 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:17.819 will find it. 00:27:17.880 --> 00:27:19.039 Jesus says there will be sheep 00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:19.960 and there will be goat, 00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:20.720 there will be wheat, 00:27:20.880 --> 00:27:21.779 and there will be weeds. 00:27:22.700 --> 00:27:23.720 And so Simeon foresees 00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:24.720 that Jesus will cause 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:25.440 some to fall 00:27:25.440 --> 00:27:26.440 and others to rise. 00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:27.500 He foresees that Jesus 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:28.500 will at the same time 00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:30.359 be a stumbling stone 00:27:30.359 --> 00:27:30.980 of a rock 00:27:30.980 --> 00:27:32.359 to those who reject him 00:27:32.359 --> 00:27:33.079 and at the same time 00:27:33.079 --> 00:27:34.220 a chief cornerstone 00:27:34.220 --> 00:27:34.799 and foundation 00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:36.440 for those who receive him. 00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:37.980 There will be joy 00:27:37.980 --> 00:27:38.680 and pain 00:27:38.680 --> 00:27:39.460 that come 00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:41.019 in the coming of Christ. 00:27:41.160 --> 00:27:42.539 And Simeon prophesies 00:27:42.539 --> 00:27:43.279 about this 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:43.960 in verse 35 00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:45.000 that Mary herself 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:46.119 will experience 00:27:46.119 --> 00:27:46.839 some of this pain 00:27:46.839 --> 00:27:47.639 when he says to her, 00:27:48.279 --> 00:27:48.799 and a sword 00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:49.799 will pierce 00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:51.519 your own soul too. 00:27:52.719 --> 00:27:54.039 And what this is alluding to, 00:27:54.119 --> 00:27:55.359 whether anyone recognized it 00:27:55.359 --> 00:27:56.439 at the time or not, 00:27:57.099 --> 00:27:57.859 is the cross. 00:27:58.639 --> 00:27:59.839 The worst moment, 00:27:59.939 --> 00:28:01.179 not only in Jesus' life, 00:28:01.239 --> 00:28:01.939 the worst moment 00:28:01.939 --> 00:28:03.299 of Mary's life 00:28:03.299 --> 00:28:05.159 when her son is pierced 00:28:05.159 --> 00:28:06.539 and she feels it 00:28:06.539 --> 00:28:07.519 in her soul. 00:28:08.799 --> 00:28:08.939 See, 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:09.859 what Simeon is saying 00:28:09.859 --> 00:28:10.579 is that this baby 00:28:10.579 --> 00:28:11.259 in his arms, 00:28:11.719 --> 00:28:12.259 he hasn't come 00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:13.079 to deliver people 00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:13.519 on the basis 00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:14.139 of their culture, 00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:14.639 ethnicity, 00:28:14.640 --> 00:28:15.960 or nationality, 00:28:16.560 --> 00:28:17.420 but on the basis 00:28:17.420 --> 00:28:18.120 of their hearts 00:28:18.120 --> 00:28:18.840 and their posture 00:28:18.840 --> 00:28:19.540 toward God. 00:28:20.200 --> 00:28:21.120 He hasn't just come 00:28:21.120 --> 00:28:22.480 to deliver one weaker nation 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:23.060 like Israel 00:28:23.060 --> 00:28:24.560 from another stronger nation 00:28:24.560 --> 00:28:25.259 like Rome. 00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:26.600 He's come to deliver people 00:28:26.600 --> 00:28:27.280 from their bondage 00:28:27.280 --> 00:28:28.780 to sin and godlessness. 00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:30.240 The ultimate root problem 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:31.320 is not human oppression 00:28:31.320 --> 00:28:32.820 against each other 00:28:32.820 --> 00:28:34.060 or human bondage 00:28:34.060 --> 00:28:34.640 to one another. 00:28:35.100 --> 00:28:36.400 The ultimate root problem 00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:37.560 is human rebellion 00:28:37.560 --> 00:28:38.480 against God 00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:39.820 and human bondage 00:28:39.820 --> 00:28:41.320 to sin and evil. 00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:42.839 And so the way 00:28:42.839 --> 00:28:43.700 he will deliver us 00:28:43.700 --> 00:28:44.519 from our sin 00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:45.759 and from our rebellion 00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:47.079 is by putting our sins 00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:47.740 to death 00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:49.879 in his pierced body 00:28:49.879 --> 00:28:50.859 on a cross. 00:28:51.619 --> 00:28:52.539 And that is where 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:53.539 peace begins. 00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:55.399 That's where justice 00:28:55.399 --> 00:28:55.939 is found. 00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:56.980 No justice, 00:28:57.240 --> 00:28:57.939 no peace. 00:28:58.819 --> 00:29:00.059 No atonement for sin. 00:29:00.579 --> 00:29:01.899 No eternal salvation. 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.899 And this is exactly 00:29:03.899 --> 00:29:04.919 what the prophet Isaiah 00:29:04.919 --> 00:29:05.519 prophesied 00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:06.659 in the very next chapter 00:29:06.659 --> 00:29:08.059 that was on Simeon's mind. 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:09.159 Isaiah didn't just prophesy 00:29:09.160 --> 00:29:10.440 of comfort for God's people 00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:11.540 in Isaiah 52 00:29:11.540 --> 00:29:12.540 but of discomfort 00:29:12.540 --> 00:29:13.900 for God's servant 00:29:13.900 --> 00:29:15.380 in Isaiah 53. 00:29:16.600 --> 00:29:17.259 See, Christianity 00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:18.620 doesn't sweep the darkness 00:29:18.620 --> 00:29:20.000 of sin under the rug. 00:29:20.080 --> 00:29:20.700 Instead, it preaches 00:29:20.700 --> 00:29:21.759 that the light of the world, 00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:23.060 the Son of God, 00:29:23.160 --> 00:29:24.480 entered the pain of darkness 00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:26.279 to do away with it 00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:26.820 for good. 00:29:26.880 --> 00:29:27.860 And this is the good news 00:29:27.860 --> 00:29:28.560 of Advent. 00:29:28.840 --> 00:29:29.820 Isaiah prophesied 00:29:29.820 --> 00:29:30.560 that the Messiah 00:29:30.560 --> 00:29:31.080 would save us 00:29:31.080 --> 00:29:31.840 not just from those 00:29:31.840 --> 00:29:33.180 who would sin against us 00:29:33.180 --> 00:29:33.940 but from the sin 00:29:33.940 --> 00:29:34.700 and darkness 00:29:34.700 --> 00:29:36.320 within our very own hearts 00:29:36.320 --> 00:29:38.460 that lead to our own deaths. 00:29:39.160 --> 00:29:40.480 Isaiah prophesied 00:29:40.480 --> 00:29:41.380 about the cross. 00:29:42.100 --> 00:29:43.080 He was pierced 00:29:43.080 --> 00:29:44.140 for our transgressions. 00:29:44.500 --> 00:29:44.940 The punishment 00:29:44.940 --> 00:29:46.340 that brought us peace 00:29:46.340 --> 00:29:47.320 was upon Him 00:29:47.320 --> 00:29:48.640 and by His wounds 00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:50.060 we are healed. 00:29:50.360 --> 00:29:51.000 And this, 00:29:51.480 --> 00:29:52.660 this is what our eyes 00:29:52.660 --> 00:29:53.320 need to behold 00:29:53.320 --> 00:29:53.980 in order for us 00:29:53.980 --> 00:29:55.340 to die in peace. 00:29:56.019 --> 00:29:56.980 Not the completion 00:29:56.980 --> 00:29:58.440 of all our life goals 00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:59.440 and projects, 00:29:59.540 --> 00:30:00.100 not the fulfillment 00:30:00.100 --> 00:30:02.380 of all our consumeristic fantasies, 00:30:02.640 --> 00:30:04.660 nor even some arbitrary sense 00:30:04.660 --> 00:30:05.700 of self-satisfaction 00:30:05.700 --> 00:30:07.140 at the end of our lives. 00:30:07.140 --> 00:30:08.020 None of us 00:30:08.020 --> 00:30:09.100 can ever win 00:30:09.100 --> 00:30:10.460 or achieve our own peace 00:30:10.460 --> 00:30:11.820 in the face of death. 00:30:11.900 --> 00:30:12.580 Nothing we do, 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:14.000 no life we've lived 00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:14.860 will ever be enough 00:30:14.860 --> 00:30:15.640 to bring us 00:30:15.640 --> 00:30:16.720 that kind of peace. 00:30:16.820 --> 00:30:17.940 But Jesus' life, 00:30:18.600 --> 00:30:19.320 the life of the one 00:30:19.320 --> 00:30:19.980 who was pierced 00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:21.380 for our transgressions, 00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:22.680 the life that ended 00:30:22.680 --> 00:30:23.420 crying out, 00:30:23.560 --> 00:30:24.259 it is finished 00:30:24.259 --> 00:30:25.560 from the cross, 00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:27.160 the punishment 00:30:27.160 --> 00:30:28.480 that brought us peace 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:29.560 was upon Him. 00:30:30.420 --> 00:30:31.400 And by His wounds 00:30:31.400 --> 00:30:32.300 we are healed. 00:30:32.540 --> 00:30:33.360 It's His life 00:30:33.360 --> 00:30:34.740 and His death 00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:36.700 and His resurrection life. 00:30:36.779 --> 00:30:37.500 It's all of Him 00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:38.160 for all of us 00:30:38.160 --> 00:30:41.000 that truly brings us peace, 00:30:41.660 --> 00:30:42.819 even and especially 00:30:42.819 --> 00:30:43.839 in the face of death. 00:30:43.900 --> 00:30:44.380 And this, 00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:45.640 this is the gospel. 00:30:46.299 --> 00:30:47.000 The good news 00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:47.779 that if we take 00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:48.620 and embrace Jesus 00:30:48.620 --> 00:30:49.819 into our arms 00:30:49.819 --> 00:30:51.039 as Simeon did 00:30:51.039 --> 00:30:52.059 2,000 years ago, 00:30:52.160 --> 00:30:53.220 and if we behold Him 00:30:53.220 --> 00:30:54.620 with the eyes of faith 00:30:54.620 --> 00:30:55.579 and with a heart 00:30:55.579 --> 00:30:56.700 filled with affection 00:30:56.700 --> 00:30:57.740 and adoration, 00:30:58.740 --> 00:31:00.299 then we can all sing 00:31:00.299 --> 00:31:01.420 Simeon's song 00:31:01.420 --> 00:31:02.380 along with Him, 00:31:02.880 --> 00:31:04.059 Nunc Dimittis, 00:31:04.059 --> 00:31:05.079 even today. 00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:06.720 Sovereign Lord, 00:31:07.139 --> 00:31:08.339 you may now dismiss 00:31:08.339 --> 00:31:09.919 your servant in peace, 00:31:10.519 --> 00:31:11.440 for my eyes 00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:12.359 have seen 00:31:12.359 --> 00:31:13.399 your salvation 00:31:13.399 --> 00:31:14.519 in the crucified, 00:31:15.179 --> 00:31:15.440 risen, 00:31:15.899 --> 00:31:16.679 and coming again, 00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:17.619 Christ. 00:31:18.500 --> 00:31:18.759 Amen. 00:31:19.759 --> 00:31:20.519 Let's pray. 00:31:23.919 --> 00:31:24.419 Oh God, 00:31:24.519 --> 00:31:25.539 help us to see it. 00:31:26.639 --> 00:31:27.319 This Advent, 00:31:27.980 --> 00:31:28.519 help us to see 00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:29.399 the light of Christ 00:31:29.399 --> 00:31:30.759 in the darkness 00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:32.279 of His wounds. 00:31:32.279 --> 00:31:34.200 and bring peace 00:31:34.200 --> 00:31:34.740 on earth, 00:31:35.859 --> 00:31:36.259 oh God, 00:31:36.339 --> 00:31:37.099 through this sacred 00:31:37.099 --> 00:31:38.139 salvation story. 00:31:39.480 --> 00:31:40.180 Bring peace 00:31:40.180 --> 00:31:41.059 through all of us 00:31:41.059 --> 00:31:41.500 who have eyes 00:31:41.500 --> 00:31:42.000 to see it, 00:31:42.359 --> 00:31:42.700 who have eyes 00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:43.339 to believe it, 00:31:43.399 --> 00:31:44.200 and who want 00:31:44.200 --> 00:31:44.960 to live faithfully 00:31:44.960 --> 00:31:46.039 within your story 00:31:46.039 --> 00:31:47.079 for the good 00:31:47.079 --> 00:31:47.579 of our neighbors 00:31:47.579 --> 00:31:48.920 and for the glory 00:31:48.920 --> 00:31:49.399 of your name. 00:31:49.399 --> 00:31:50.200 Amen.