WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.639 Good morning. 00:00:06.379 --> 00:00:11.300 My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church. 00:00:11.759 --> 00:00:15.080 And it's my joy to bring God's Word to you today. 00:00:15.839 --> 00:00:18.760 A special welcome if you're new or visiting with us. 00:00:18.820 --> 00:00:19.760 We're glad that you're here. 00:00:20.280 --> 00:00:23.620 And we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, 00:00:24.179 --> 00:00:27.300 but because we're following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:27.300 --> 00:00:32.420 And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced that there's no one so good, 00:00:32.700 --> 00:00:36.939 they don't need God's grace, and no one so bad that they can't have it. 00:00:37.420 --> 00:00:42.600 Which is why we come back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in His Word. 00:00:43.460 --> 00:00:47.960 We are, as I mentioned earlier in our service, now on the fourth Sunday of Advent. 00:00:48.659 --> 00:00:53.120 The word Advent comes from a Latin word that means to come or to arrive. 00:00:53.119 --> 00:00:59.640 And so during the season of Advent, we focus on Jesus arriving or coming to earth. 00:01:00.280 --> 00:01:02.119 And as we do that, we do a number of things. 00:01:02.239 --> 00:01:05.879 First of all, we celebrate what God has done in the past. 00:01:06.120 --> 00:01:08.759 And so we sing songs like Joy to the World. 00:01:10.319 --> 00:01:14.939 As we celebrate what God has done in the past, as we celebrate Jesus' first coming, 00:01:15.439 --> 00:01:20.219 we also long for and look forward to what God will do in the future. 00:01:20.219 --> 00:01:23.000 And so we look forward to Jesus' second coming. 00:01:23.359 --> 00:01:27.280 That's when we sing songs like, O come, O come, Emmanuel. 00:01:28.079 --> 00:01:31.079 And there's a sense in which what we do in the season of Advent 00:01:31.079 --> 00:01:33.620 is actually what we do in the entire Christian life. 00:01:33.939 --> 00:01:37.299 We look back, we celebrate what God has done in the past. 00:01:37.680 --> 00:01:41.819 We look forward, we long for and hope for what He will do in the future. 00:01:42.099 --> 00:01:48.340 And those two things together allow us to actually live faithfully now in the present. 00:01:48.340 --> 00:01:55.020 That's our focus then as we are in Luke chapter 2, picking up where we left off from last week. 00:01:55.280 --> 00:02:01.040 You'll remember last week we took a look at the shepherds and their song, 00:02:01.480 --> 00:02:03.680 as they said, glory to God in the highest. 00:02:04.140 --> 00:02:07.120 Now we move on to the last song of this section, 00:02:07.219 --> 00:02:10.460 actually five songs that appear at the beginning of Luke. 00:02:10.539 --> 00:02:12.800 The fifth one this morning is from Simeon. 00:02:12.800 --> 00:02:18.100 And just like last week, this passage has a lot going on. 00:02:18.860 --> 00:02:23.160 We have pigeons, we have turtle doves, and we have the Holy Spirit. 00:02:23.640 --> 00:02:23.719 Okay? 00:02:24.740 --> 00:02:28.600 And just like last week, we are not going to talk about everything. 00:02:29.040 --> 00:02:32.220 So we're actually not going to talk about the turtle doves or the pigeons. 00:02:32.800 --> 00:02:36.480 We are reading this larger section for the sake of context. 00:02:36.479 --> 00:02:39.280 We're going to focus on some specific areas. 00:02:39.679 --> 00:02:42.479 And our focus this morning will be on the words of Simeon. 00:02:42.899 --> 00:02:46.239 We're going to look at Simeon's song in verses 29 through 32, 00:02:46.659 --> 00:02:51.339 and then his final words to Mary, verses 34 through 35. 00:02:51.939 --> 00:02:56.419 Once again then, we have a rich, rich passage that's before us, 00:02:56.519 --> 00:03:00.799 but we have limited time this morning, and so we have a narrow focus. 00:03:01.259 --> 00:03:03.839 In our narrow focus, we're going to look at two things. 00:03:03.840 --> 00:03:11.080 We're going to see, one, realistic expectations, and two, high hopes. 00:03:12.420 --> 00:03:15.780 Realistic expectations and high hopes. 00:03:16.900 --> 00:03:21.980 So with that, I invite you to turn with me to Luke 2, starting at verse 22. 00:03:22.580 --> 00:03:24.520 You can turn in your Bible. 00:03:25.360 --> 00:03:26.560 You can turn on your phone. 00:03:27.379 --> 00:03:28.939 You can turn in your worship guide. 00:03:28.939 --> 00:03:36.259 No matter where you turn, remember that Proverbs 30 tells us every word of God proves true. 00:03:37.300 --> 00:03:41.460 He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. 00:03:42.599 --> 00:03:46.900 And so that's why we read now Luke 2, starting at verse 22. 00:03:46.900 --> 00:04:16.879 Verse 25. 00:04:16.899 --> 00:04:20.399 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, 00:04:20.919 --> 00:04:26.579 and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel. 00:04:27.259 --> 00:04:29.659 And the Holy Spirit was upon him. 00:04:30.539 --> 00:04:34.599 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death 00:04:34.599 --> 00:04:37.259 before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 00:04:37.759 --> 00:04:40.199 And he came in the Spirit into the temple. 00:04:40.199 --> 00:04:47.199 And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him according to the custom of the law, 00:04:47.819 --> 00:04:51.399 he took up his arms and blessed God and said, 00:04:52.099 --> 00:04:52.879 verse 29, 00:04:52.879 --> 00:04:54.279 Lord, 00:04:54.279 --> 00:04:59.439 Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace according to your word. 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:07.339 For my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 00:05:08.100 --> 00:05:15.279 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel. 00:05:15.279 --> 00:05:20.059 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 00:05:20.859 --> 00:05:23.819 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 00:05:24.519 --> 00:05:31.239 Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel 00:05:31.239 --> 00:05:33.939 and for a sign that is opposed. 00:05:34.719 --> 00:05:38.399 And a sword will pierce through your own soul also, 00:05:38.399 --> 00:05:43.239 so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed. 00:05:44.759 --> 00:05:48.859 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:05:50.159 --> 00:05:53.500 Our Father in heaven, we do, as we do every Sunday, 00:05:53.679 --> 00:05:55.819 praise you and thank you again for your word. 00:05:56.819 --> 00:06:00.779 You haven't left us to figure out the world on our own, 00:06:01.079 --> 00:06:04.459 but instead you've given us your word to show us the way. 00:06:04.459 --> 00:06:08.399 We ask that you would do that again this morning by your spirit, 00:06:08.859 --> 00:06:14.379 that you would give us burning clarity about the gospel of your son and our Savior, 00:06:14.519 --> 00:06:18.279 our Lord Jesus, that we would grow in our love and affection, 00:06:18.599 --> 00:06:21.279 our reverence and all our obedience to him. 00:06:21.919 --> 00:06:26.379 We thank you that we don't worry this morning about whether we've earned or deserved those things. 00:06:26.779 --> 00:06:27.859 We know that we haven't. 00:06:28.199 --> 00:06:31.379 And so we simply ask for them in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:06:31.859 --> 00:06:32.099 Amen. 00:06:32.099 --> 00:06:32.259 Amen. 00:06:34.459 --> 00:06:34.859 Amen. 00:06:36.060 --> 00:06:38.439 Last week I asked you the question, 00:06:38.819 --> 00:06:44.199 if there was one thing you could have or change that would give you more joy, 00:06:44.459 --> 00:06:45.060 what would it be? 00:06:46.139 --> 00:06:48.979 This week I asked you a different question. 00:06:50.000 --> 00:06:51.439 If you are a Christian, 00:06:52.779 --> 00:06:57.060 what did you think the Christian life would be like? 00:06:58.899 --> 00:07:00.919 Maybe that was years ago. 00:07:01.659 --> 00:07:03.339 Maybe you've been a Christian for a long time. 00:07:03.339 --> 00:07:05.679 Maybe you've been a Christian for a short time. 00:07:05.719 --> 00:07:11.459 But I want you to try to remember yourself and what it was you thought laid ahead of you. 00:07:12.979 --> 00:07:15.679 Now, if you're not a Christian, you can think about something different. 00:07:15.799 --> 00:07:18.659 You can ask, what about Christianity do you find attractive? 00:07:18.660 --> 00:07:23.580 Why is it that you're here exploring it, hearing about it? 00:07:24.780 --> 00:07:33.240 Maybe you thought that becoming a Christian would guarantee that your family life would be beautiful. 00:07:33.240 --> 00:07:39.980 You know, you just follow the good old-fashioned child-raising recipe, right? 00:07:40.980 --> 00:07:43.180 And everything will turn out great. 00:07:44.600 --> 00:07:46.460 If you find that recipe, let me know. 00:07:46.459 --> 00:07:52.539 You perhaps thought that church life would be perfect. 00:07:53.959 --> 00:07:56.139 No one would ever deeply hurt you. 00:07:57.919 --> 00:07:59.919 No one would ever leave your church. 00:08:01.079 --> 00:08:03.379 No one would ever fall away from the faith. 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:08.199 Maybe you thought that God would provide you with a spouse. 00:08:08.199 --> 00:08:10.819 Maybe he did. 00:08:12.279 --> 00:08:16.099 Maybe you found out marriage wasn't everything that you hoped it would be. 00:08:16.979 --> 00:08:19.039 Even marriage to another Christian. 00:08:20.459 --> 00:08:22.699 Maybe he didn't provide you a spouse. 00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:27.419 And you're confused because you thought he owed you that. 00:08:27.420 --> 00:08:35.300 Maybe you thought your friends would be excited and thrilled to hear you share about your new hope in Jesus Christ. 00:08:35.639 --> 00:08:38.620 And instead, they're confused and perhaps offended. 00:08:39.779 --> 00:08:42.899 And so when you thought this was going to be an easy conversation, 00:08:43.080 --> 00:08:47.420 instead you move forward in that relationship walking on eggshells. 00:08:49.940 --> 00:08:54.659 Things perhaps were not quite as easy as we expected. 00:08:54.659 --> 00:08:57.439 Now, don't hear what I'm not saying. 00:08:57.559 --> 00:09:01.319 There is something special about church community, right? 00:09:01.919 --> 00:09:07.279 We do believe there are powerful resources the Bible provides for us to draw upon 00:09:07.279 --> 00:09:10.179 as we think about our relationships and our family life. 00:09:10.539 --> 00:09:13.360 There is a beauty to marriage. 00:09:14.740 --> 00:09:19.659 And the Christian life is far from perfect. 00:09:21.279 --> 00:09:22.759 Okay, that's the first question. 00:09:22.759 --> 00:09:25.799 What did you think it would be like to be a Christian? 00:09:26.299 --> 00:09:28.439 Here's the second question for you, related. 00:09:29.460 --> 00:09:33.259 What do you think Mary thought it would be like 00:09:33.259 --> 00:09:42.019 when she found out that her son and the king of the universe were one and the same? 00:09:44.179 --> 00:09:50.639 What do you think Mary expected when she found out that she was going to be the mother of the Messiah? 00:09:50.639 --> 00:09:54.740 It's going to be all good, right? 00:09:56.139 --> 00:09:57.319 Unending joy. 00:09:57.559 --> 00:09:58.480 This is it. 00:09:59.639 --> 00:10:02.960 What more could someone hope for? 00:10:03.919 --> 00:10:06.799 This king of the world is in my womb. 00:10:07.860 --> 00:10:10.559 What could go wrong? 00:10:13.139 --> 00:10:19.600 Question of expectations is before us as we look at this story this morning in Luke chapter 2. 00:10:19.600 --> 00:10:24.000 And as we talk about story, I want you all to remember where it is we are. 00:10:24.540 --> 00:10:28.960 Verses 1 through 7 in chapter 2 told us the birth story of Jesus. 00:10:29.420 --> 00:10:32.920 Then, last week, we looked at verses 8 through 21. 00:10:33.420 --> 00:10:36.740 Those told us about the angels coming, which was so exciting, right? 00:10:36.740 --> 00:10:44.460 Now, we're in verse 22, and Jesus is being presented at the temple in Jerusalem. 00:10:45.139 --> 00:10:50.940 Now, as I already warned you, we're not going to explore the pigeons and the turtle doves of verses 22 through 24. 00:10:51.500 --> 00:10:54.399 You'll remember this is a rich passage with a narrow focus. 00:10:55.080 --> 00:10:58.480 Our focus is on verse 25 when we meet Simeon. 00:10:58.480 --> 00:11:02.060 Simeon is almost certainly an older man. 00:11:02.620 --> 00:11:06.200 And in verse 26, we find out that God has made a promise to him. 00:11:06.700 --> 00:11:11.120 He will not die until he meets Jesus. 00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:16.159 It's with that promise that we then come to verses 27 through 28. 00:11:16.480 --> 00:11:20.720 There's this perfectly orchestrated sort of providential moment. 00:11:20.720 --> 00:11:29.500 I don't exaggerate when I say there's a Hollywood quality to this because Mary and Joseph are coming into the temple with Jesus to present him. 00:11:29.920 --> 00:11:34.080 And who happens to be coming in at the exact same time but Simeon? 00:11:34.480 --> 00:11:40.379 And so there's this providential sort of choreography that happens where they collide into each other. 00:11:40.740 --> 00:11:45.700 And Simeon realizes that God's promise to him has finally come true. 00:11:45.700 --> 00:11:52.040 What he has been told all these years is real. 00:11:54.020 --> 00:11:54.780 Wow. 00:11:57.480 --> 00:11:59.680 This is the moment, right? 00:12:00.140 --> 00:12:02.680 All things come true and right. 00:12:03.040 --> 00:12:08.460 Mary and Joseph are probably on the high from the song sung by the angels. 00:12:08.460 --> 00:12:15.700 And we're taken right back to the question of expectations. 00:12:16.900 --> 00:12:22.600 You would think that this would be a moment of pure rejoicing. 00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:30.180 But if Mary is ecstatic, Simeon manages to pop the bubble. 00:12:32.379 --> 00:12:33.940 Just a little bit. 00:12:34.840 --> 00:12:37.200 We're going to jump to the end and then we'll go back to the song. 00:12:37.200 --> 00:12:39.300 Simeon warns them. 00:12:39.379 --> 00:12:40.379 Verse 34, it says, 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:42.500 He blessed them and he said to Mary his mother. 00:12:43.160 --> 00:12:44.000 Verse 35, 00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:50.560 And a sword will pierce through your own soul also. 00:12:52.160 --> 00:12:54.920 Yes, great joy. 00:12:56.600 --> 00:12:59.800 And great pain. 00:12:59.799 --> 00:13:06.740 Yes, the king of the universe is also Mary's son and. 00:13:08.219 --> 00:13:13.839 In John chapter 2 at the wedding of Cana, Jesus is going to push her aside and correct her. 00:13:15.359 --> 00:13:21.759 She's later going to watch Jesus' ministry and she realizes that he will be rejected by men. 00:13:21.759 --> 00:13:31.980 And if that's not bad enough, Mary is going to watch her first and oldest son suffer on the cross. 00:13:33.679 --> 00:13:36.419 Remember Jesus' words from Matthew chapter 8. 00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:38.779 He uses these to describe himself. 00:13:39.539 --> 00:13:43.460 Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests. 00:13:44.019 --> 00:13:48.480 But the son of man has nowhere to lay his head. 00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:56.039 Moms, is that your dream for your son? 00:13:57.659 --> 00:14:00.840 When you think about his future, do you think to yourself, 00:14:01.259 --> 00:14:04.120 Man, I hope when he grows up and becomes a man, 00:14:04.220 --> 00:14:09.399 what's true about him is that he has nowhere to lay his head. 00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:21.360 And a sword will pierce through your own soul also. 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:27.679 That's what Mary gets to experience. 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:35.079 Great hope, great joy, great pain. 00:14:35.080 --> 00:14:48.840 Turns out that some hopes, ours and hers, are at times naive. 00:14:49.960 --> 00:14:53.240 At least on this side of heaven. 00:14:55.100 --> 00:14:57.540 You'll see this on the back of your worship guide. 00:14:58.540 --> 00:15:01.560 Jesus said he came to bring a sword. 00:15:02.680 --> 00:15:04.780 Simeon said so too. 00:15:05.080 --> 00:15:09.080 Do we see what that means? 00:15:10.160 --> 00:15:16.420 It means we will have many painful struggles in the Christian life. 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:22.740 Great hope and also great pain. 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:26.720 Now we could talk about suffering in general. 00:15:27.220 --> 00:15:31.560 Here what Simeon, I believe, is warning Mary about is suffering in particular. 00:15:31.860 --> 00:15:33.960 Suffering for the sake of the gospel. 00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:39.280 The same is true of us as we look out on the Christian life. 00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:41.160 You speak the truth. 00:15:43.160 --> 00:15:45.960 And others resist it or reject it. 00:15:46.960 --> 00:15:48.320 And reject you. 00:15:48.320 --> 00:15:54.660 You fight hard for faithful obedience in the Christian life. 00:15:54.660 --> 00:15:59.280 And then you realize faithfulness is harder than you thought. 00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:05.199 And old patterns come back in a surprising way. 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:14.439 Advent, as I've told you, is looking back and looking forward. 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:19.559 Here, as we think about the pain, we are looking forward. 00:16:19.559 --> 00:16:23.759 There is a lament to Advent. 00:16:25.439 --> 00:16:32.799 There is a sadness over the fact that the cancer of sin in this world is still present. 00:16:32.799 --> 00:16:38.199 There is a crying out where we do say, 00:16:38.339 --> 00:16:40.399 O come, O come, Emmanuel. 00:16:44.959 --> 00:16:49.259 Because expectations have a way of catching up with us. 00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:52.819 Sin is still real. 00:16:52.820 --> 00:16:54.640 It's still here. 00:16:54.640 --> 00:17:00.980 A sword will pierce through your own soul also. 00:17:04.340 --> 00:17:08.220 And you might be thinking, that's not what I came to church for this morning. 00:17:09.259 --> 00:17:12.420 Not here for the pastor to be a nasty little Debbie Downer. 00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:18.440 To have the audacity to talk about suffering while wearing a candy cane tie. 00:17:20.200 --> 00:17:22.480 I already know the world is full of suffering. 00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:23.539 Thank you very much. 00:17:25.060 --> 00:17:28.039 Thankfully, that's not all of Simeon's story. 00:17:28.180 --> 00:17:31.320 I've started here at the end so we can move back. 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:38.240 We need a hope that is bigger than the sword. 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:43.920 We need a hope that is bigger than the sword to keep us moving. 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:47.480 Last week, I reminded you of the quote from Samuel Johnson, 00:17:47.640 --> 00:17:50.000 who was an English writer in the 18th century, 00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:56.779 who told us people need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed. 00:17:58.039 --> 00:18:04.759 And what is the season of Advent if not a time to be reminded? 00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:09.700 Simeon doesn't just tell us about the sword. 00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:12.480 He tells us about the hope. 00:18:13.119 --> 00:18:18.559 Verse 25, he is waiting for the consolation of Israel. 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:22.259 Consolation here is a big word that simply means comfort. 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:24.440 He's waiting for Israel to be comforted. 00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:28.579 This is an idea, a concept that comes out of the book of Isaiah, 00:18:28.579 --> 00:18:30.460 where it appears over and over. 00:18:30.460 --> 00:18:34.920 Why is it that the nation of Israel needs comfort? 00:18:35.840 --> 00:18:37.460 Well, we could list a lot of reasons. 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:39.779 They have lost their independence, 00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:43.819 and they are now under the brutal rule of the Roman Empire. 00:18:44.700 --> 00:18:45.620 That's one reason. 00:18:46.840 --> 00:18:49.860 Their religious leaders have lost the plot, 00:18:50.620 --> 00:18:54.539 and their religious leaders are more interested in fattening themselves 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:56.779 than feeding God's people. 00:18:56.779 --> 00:19:01.220 Ezekiel chapter 10 tells us a heartbreaking story 00:19:01.220 --> 00:19:03.960 that God's presence has left his temple. 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:07.000 And do you remember where in the Old Testament 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:09.859 we're told that God's presence returns to the temple? 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:13.960 No, you don't, because it's not there. 00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:20.119 There is no record of God's presence returning to his temple. 00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:23.740 Matthew chapter 2, if you're familiar with the Christmas story, 00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:28.579 King Herod comes in, and he's so threatened by the birth of this child 00:19:28.579 --> 00:19:33.019 that he orders every male Jew under the age of two 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:36.380 in the region of Bethlehem to be killed. 00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:45.400 That is what Simeon and God's people are longing for consolation from. 00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:52.500 That is Simeon's hope, his hope for restoration and comfort. 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:54.900 That is what he's waiting for. 00:19:55.599 --> 00:19:59.720 And he knows that the Messiah will bring it. 00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:06.460 What is your hope? 00:20:10.779 --> 00:20:14.839 What are you waiting for? 00:20:14.839 --> 00:20:25.019 What are you convinced will be your consolation? 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:27.019 Your comfort? 00:20:32.859 --> 00:20:36.459 What do you think the solution is to your problems 00:20:36.459 --> 00:20:39.000 and the problems of this world? 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:44.680 Is your solution a politician? 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:47.819 Is it physical healing? 00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:51.599 Is it romantic and sexual experiences? 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:57.640 Is it just one more accomplishment or achievement? 00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:03.940 Simeon tells us what his hope is. 00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:07.519 Look with me at verse 29. 00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:11.000 Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:12.759 according to your word. 00:21:13.100 --> 00:21:15.620 In other words, you've kept your promise. 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:17.860 Now I can die. 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:21.400 What I have been holding on to, 00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:24.740 what Simeon has been staying alive for, 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:28.779 is nothing less than the birth of the Son of God. 00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:34.379 And when that happens, he is content. 00:21:36.099 --> 00:21:37.139 And he tells us why. 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:37.740 Verse 30. 00:21:38.119 --> 00:21:42.279 He tells us that God's salvation is what he has seen. 00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:47.440 The restoration of all things is finally here. 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:51.940 That God is going to restore our relationships with ourselves. 00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:55.519 That we can say goodbye to overwhelming anxiety. 00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:59.980 to the shame that haunts us and that we try to cover. 00:22:01.099 --> 00:22:03.779 Simeon knows that this is not just restoration 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:06.019 of our relationship with ourselves, 00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:07.619 but relationship with others. 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:11.759 That the world of strife and misunderstanding 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:14.920 and cutoff and hurt will come to an end. 00:22:16.539 --> 00:22:19.639 Simeon knows that the relationship between people 00:22:19.639 --> 00:22:23.279 and this world will be healed. 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:28.399 That the lion and the lamb will actually lie down together 00:22:28.399 --> 00:22:32.619 and a little child will actually lead them. 00:22:33.879 --> 00:22:37.480 And the root, the source of all those restorations 00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:40.879 is the restoration of the most important relationship of all. 00:22:41.180 --> 00:22:44.940 That the relationship between God and his people 00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:46.480 will be restored. 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:51.960 That we will finally have the love and communion 00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:54.920 that's greater than any other. 00:22:56.440 --> 00:22:59.740 Simeon is waiting for the salvation 00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:04.960 that God has prepared in the presence of all peoples. 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:08.279 That's the other piece that stands out here 00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:11.180 is that God's salvation is not restricted 00:23:11.180 --> 00:23:13.599 to one type or group of people. 00:23:13.599 --> 00:23:17.240 Simeon is obviously a faithful Jew on the one hand. 00:23:18.199 --> 00:23:21.159 And as someone who knows the book of Isaiah, 00:23:21.319 --> 00:23:24.539 he's aware that God's salvation is cosmic. 00:23:25.719 --> 00:23:30.099 It is meant for all people in all places. 00:23:30.299 --> 00:23:32.299 That's why he tells us, verse 31, 00:23:32.939 --> 00:23:34.519 this salvation has been prepared 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:36.359 in the presence of all peoples. 00:23:37.059 --> 00:23:39.819 A light for revelation to the Gentiles 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:43.019 and for glory to your people Israel. 00:23:44.339 --> 00:23:48.899 Simeon knows he is not the end state 00:23:48.899 --> 00:23:51.079 of God's work in the world. 00:23:52.439 --> 00:23:53.079 No. 00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:58.460 It's to go out to every tongue and tribe and nation. 00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:02.399 Verse 32 helps us clarify 00:24:02.399 --> 00:24:05.359 what exactly this salvation will look like. 00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:08.039 It's going to be a light for the Gentiles. 00:24:08.399 --> 00:24:10.119 That is, those who are not Jews 00:24:10.119 --> 00:24:13.619 will have the hope they did not know about. 00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:17.279 Remember, we looked at this, 00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:19.039 the beginning of Romans chapter three, 00:24:19.579 --> 00:24:21.899 the oracles of God were given to the Jews. 00:24:22.619 --> 00:24:25.059 They had something that no one else had. 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:27.959 Now for everyone. 00:24:27.960 --> 00:24:31.940 Not just a light though, 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:33.480 it's glory for Israel. 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:35.519 Glory in this sense 00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:38.620 that the Messiah comes from them. 00:24:39.660 --> 00:24:42.660 There is a special honor to the Jewish people, 00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:43.700 Simeon is saying, 00:24:44.059 --> 00:24:46.700 because the Redeemer is theirs. 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:49.579 Glory to the Jews 00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:51.819 because Jesus is a Jew. 00:24:53.700 --> 00:24:55.420 What he's saying in a sense is, 00:24:55.840 --> 00:24:57.559 it's our hometown hero, 00:24:57.960 --> 00:24:59.680 that goes to the Olympics. 00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:03.420 It's the one who grew up here 00:25:03.420 --> 00:25:05.840 that gets the honor. 00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:10.799 That is the hope 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:13.480 that's bigger than the sword. 00:25:15.920 --> 00:25:17.920 Remember we talked about this last week. 00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:20.220 It takes a big hope 00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:23.600 to chase away a big fear. 00:25:23.599 --> 00:25:26.959 And the biggest hope of all, 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:29.319 the foundation of all of these things, 00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:32.359 is that Jesus has come. 00:25:34.459 --> 00:25:36.719 He restores our relationship with ourselves 00:25:36.719 --> 00:25:38.579 and with others and with the world 00:25:38.579 --> 00:25:42.199 because he restores our relationship with him. 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:45.899 That he goes on to take the punishment 00:25:45.899 --> 00:25:47.719 that we deserve for our sins 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:50.500 and to live the perfect life 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:51.759 that we could not 00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:55.799 so that we could be right with our God 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:59.660 and live in a restored and perfect world. 00:26:01.180 --> 00:26:02.700 That's what Jesus comes to do. 00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.579 That's the salvation 00:26:04.579 --> 00:26:07.319 that we're reconciled to God 00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:09.539 and we're reconciled to his creation. 00:26:09.539 --> 00:26:12.700 We're going to get to this in the book of Romans. 00:26:12.819 --> 00:26:14.059 Romans chapter 8 tells us 00:26:14.059 --> 00:26:15.519 the creation itself, 00:26:16.059 --> 00:26:17.059 the created world, 00:26:17.180 --> 00:26:18.539 the trees and the squirrels 00:26:19.319 --> 00:26:20.659 are groaning. 00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:24.220 And they're groaning for God 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:26.539 to make all things right. 00:26:30.819 --> 00:26:31.339 Christian, 00:26:31.339 --> 00:26:31.399 Christian, 00:26:32.399 --> 00:26:38.139 that is Simeon's hope. 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:44.399 Is it yours? 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:52.000 For my eyes have seen your salvation 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:54.059 that you have prepared 00:26:54.059 --> 00:26:56.279 in the presence of all peoples 00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:59.980 a light for revelation to the Gentiles 00:26:59.980 --> 00:27:04.299 and for glory to your people Israel. 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.720 Let's pray. 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:09.600 Our Father in heaven, 00:27:09.720 --> 00:27:11.579 we do thank you 00:27:11.579 --> 00:27:12.220 that you are 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:14.579 the light of the world, 00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:17.120 that you have shown us 00:27:17.120 --> 00:27:18.100 the hope 00:27:18.100 --> 00:27:19.680 that we could not find on our own. 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:22.079 We ask that you would grow that hope, 00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:23.460 that it would be bigger 00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:24.880 than any sword, 00:27:25.019 --> 00:27:25.579 any pain, 00:27:25.880 --> 00:27:26.860 that you'd prepare us 00:27:26.860 --> 00:27:28.500 for the challenges ahead 00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:29.700 as we long for 00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:30.680 and hope for 00:27:30.680 --> 00:27:32.299 the new creation 00:27:32.299 --> 00:27:33.039 that is to come. 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.600 And we ask these things 00:27:34.599 --> 00:27:35.359 in the mighty name 00:27:35.359 --> 00:27:36.240 of Jesus Christ. 00:27:36.659 --> 00:27:36.919 Amen. 00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:39.939 I invite you to stand 00:27:39.939 --> 00:27:40.939 for our closing hymn. 00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:43.759 fucking moment in your time 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:45.120 That you gotta love 00:27:45.120 --> 00:27:45.759 and be ruler 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:46.920 into Christ 00:27:46.920 --> 00:27:47.420 that you fought 00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:48.160 and since you never 00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:48.180 stole your hands 00:27:48.180 --> 00:27:49.140 andæ‹¿ice 00:27:49.140 --> 00:27:49.680 into you 00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:50.160 and a saint 00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:50.980 into you 00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:51.700 and a great name 00:27:51.700 --> 00:27:52.380 and a great name 00:27:52.380 --> 00:27:53.759 for yourht due becoming 00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:54.600 bepardYi.