Two Faithful Servants Rewarded

Two Faithful Servants Rewarded Spring Valley Mennonite; January 1, 2023; Luke 2:22-38 Happy New Year! How has the last year gone? 2023 is here, and the slate is clean! What are your desires for this new year? If you are like me, the last 12 months have been a "Mixed Bag" of good and bad. This next year will most likely be much the same. Changes, both positive and negative will affect us. The most positive thing for us will be the constant presence of the Lord in our lives, giving us the opportunity to grow in faith. Salvation in the present tense means that the Lord desires to continue transforming us in righteousness. It is a comfort to know that God is oh so perseverant and patient with us. This morning, the first Sunday of the year, I want to examine a scripture that we often skip over in regard to the Christmas story. This is the example of two lives that were lived well. As we begin a new year, there are important lessons we can draw from these verses. The term "Morning After" is used in a variety of ways, in our culture, most of them are negative; for this audience, I'll use it to describe the potential letdown after something significant happens. I remember when as a child I felt that letdown the morning after Christmas. All the presents were opened, all the excitement of Christmas was far distant in the future. Emotionally, there was a big letdown the "morning after." I wonder if Mary and Joseph experienced any of those emotions the morning after Jesus was born. I wonder if they felt inadequate and frightened about the road ahead for their family. After the shepherds left, and the next day dawned, it was just Mary, Joseph and this new baby, who looked and acted like any other child. Was this tiny baby really the promised Messiah? Was this child truly God in human flesh? God had arranged for the shepherds' visit to confirm that this was a supernatural birth, but the words about the angel visitation faded quickly in the morning light. But our loving heavenly Father had several additional times of encouragement waiting for these new parents. This morning we are going to examine one of those encouraging times which occurred several weeks after the birth. It continually amazes me how God works so beautifully in the lives of His faithful servants, interweaving our lives together. In Jerusalem there were two older saints-we could call them "Senior citizens"-who had been faithful to God for many, many years. We can see how God rewarded two faithful saints, and in the same way provided tremendous encouragement for the parents of our Savior. While our culture tends to "shelve" older people. God does not. I would direct our thoughts this morning to Simeon and Anna, spoken of in the second chapter of Luke's Gospel. Turn to Luke 2, beginning in verse 21 where we will begin. (Read through v. 24) I. THE OCCASION FOR THE MEETING It will help us understand the significance of this meeting if we have a bit of background. Jesus was born into a Jewish family, a member of God's chosen people; born under the Law and its requirements. There were a number of rituals which were required in the birth of a firstborn son. Verse 21 tells us that Jesus was circumcised receiving the sign of the Covenant when He was eight days old. It was then that He formally was named "Jesus", the name given to Mary by Gabriel. Another requirement of the Law was what the Jews called "purification" and involved the ritual cleansing of the mother after childbirth. This period of waiting was 40 days in length after the birth of a son, after which it involved going to a priest and offering a sacrifice. It is interesting to note the sacrifice offered by Mary, for it reveals something about God's choice of the family which would raise Jesus. In Leviticus 5, these offerings are listed and there are different sacrifices depending upon your economic status: for the wealthy, one offered a lamb. If a lamb would constitute economic hardship, two pigeons or turtledoves would suffice. If the couple were impoverished, an amount of flour could be offered. This tells us that Mary and Joseph were of the middle class, not wealthy, yet not in the lowest economic grouping in Israel. Joseph was a member of the honest, working middle class which is always the pillar of society. History has demonstrated that any society which has only a rich class and a poor class is unhealthy, and ultimately short-lived. We here today would have been like Mary and Joseph, in the "two-turtledove" class of society. Mary and Joseph went up to the Temple in Jerusalem for this purpose of purification. However, there was another reason for them to make the seven-mile trip with a five-week-old infant: although not mentioned, another requirement was to pay the redemption price of the firstborn son. In Exodus 3, God told the Israelites that "every first-born of man among your sons, you shall redeem." This was to remind Israel that they had been redeemed by the blood of a lamb from the plague of death in Egypt, whereas the first born of the Egyptians had been slain. The Law stated that every first- born male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. The redemption price was set at 5 shekels of silver. Luke does not mention this payment, I believe because as the firstborn of God Jesus needed not to be redeemed, as God in the flesh, He was already fully consecrated to God. In Hebrews we see that Jesus is a Priest after the order of Melchizedek, a priest fully consecrated to God. While these rituals did not have to be done at the Temple at Jerusalem, it strikes me that God arranged the birth of Jesus to be near the Temple so Jesus could be presented in the most sacred place in Israel. God had not only planned this small detail, but also provided for the mutual encouragement of the holy family and two elderly saints of God. We continue in verse 25: (Read vv. 25-35) II. SIMEON, A MAN RIGHTEOUS AND DEVOUT While Mary and Joseph were at the Temple, an elderly man named Simeon entered. The name "Simeon" means "hearing" or "one who hears". Remember the second son of Jacob was named Simeon, for Jacob's first wife Leah said, "The Lord has heard that I am unloved, He has heretofore given me this son also." This Simeon is aptly named, for God had heard his request that he might see the Lord's Christ-the Messiah of Israel before he died. That day God spoke to Simeon: "Go to the Temple" and Simeon listened. In accordance to his name, he "heard" God when He spoke. What kind of a man does God hear? What are the characteristics of someone God would honor in such a way that he would be allowed to hold the very Son of God in his arms? What can we surmise about Simeon from these few short verses? First, Simeon is said to be righteous and devout. The same adjective "righteous" is also used of Zacharias and Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist. God's word adds to Simeon's description, "Walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord". I would call your attention to the term "walking". Not just believing or agreeing that one should do these things-not just having his mind full of the requirements of God but living in accordance to them. And while God graciously extends mercy and compassion to all His children, God's best and fullest blessings-His visible answers to His promises to us, come to those who walk uprightly-who have their behavior in line with God's requirements. Simeon was such a man; not perfect, but faithful and obedient. Secondly, Simeon was looking for the "Consolation of Israel"-another name for the Messiah. What does this tell us about this Godly man? It tells us first that he was a student of the Old Testament, for he knew the promises God had made to Israel. More importantly, this man believed God's promises. We would say today that he truly believed the Bible and centered his life around it. We get the impression that nothing was more important to Simeon than the things of God. He was looking for the coming of the Messiah. This speaks to us: Are we eagerly looking for and longing for the second coming of the Lord Jesus? Could it be said of us, "We are people of the Word?" Thirdly, the Holy Spirit was upon Simeon; He was "Holy Spirit led". This is in the fashion of the Old Testament ministry of the Holy Spirit; Simeon was not indwelt by the Spirit as believers are today, but he certainly was the sort of man the Spirit could use, and in fact, did use. God today promises to lead His children, if we, like Simeon, will listen. Daily we need to check whether we are "filled with the Holy Spirit", meaning we are yielding to His control and empowerment. How did God reward such a godly and righteous man? First, God answered his prayer to see the Messiah before he died. God made Simeon a personal promise. God communicated to him. God speaks to those of His children who are living in accordance to His Word-both then and today. When we pray "Come Lord Jesus" are we expressing a true desire of our hearts? Next, God led Simeon. Isn't God's timing perfect? Simeon "just happened" to be in the Temple when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus in! God had led him specifically to be there. We would call this a "divine appointment". God still leads His people today to "divine appointments". May God grant that we might recognize those when they come. Simeon had asked only to see the Messiah, but God did much more than that. He actually allowed Simeon the incredible privilege of holding in his arms the Holy Infant Son of God, the Messiah! This is an example of how God is the God of "much more"-that He delights in blessing those whose lives are clean and pure. Simeon's response? We have it in the form of a beautiful hymn of praise and prophesy in vv. 29-32: (Read) Basically he said, "God, now I'm ready to die, for I've seen Your Salvation"! What a profound thought! If one experiences the Salvation of God through Jesus Christ, he is ready to die. Are you ready to die? Have you met the Savior, Jesus Christ? Verse 33 tells us that Jesus' parents were amazed-why? Perhaps because of the shock and surprise! Imagine the scene: out of the blue comes this stranger, who takes their baby out of her arms and clearly declares Him to be the Savior of the World! But imagine what an encouragement this was to Mary and Joseph! Simeon not only gives recognition that Jesus is the Messiah, but then he proceeds to bless them and tells them of the future ministry of Jesus. This was something they knew nothing about before this time. They had been told only was Jesus to be the Savior, the Son of God, but nothing beyond that. Simeon told of the suffering that this child would bring to their lives. If ever there was a good news/bad news scenario given it was here. Simeon's prophesy was that Jesus was not only the long-promised Messiah, but also that He would be opposed by many, and because of Him, many would rise and fall in Israel. We see the fulfillment of this prophesy in Jesus' condemnation of the external religion of the Pharisees. Jesus' teachings would reveal the true state of the heart of man. In John's Gospel we read that Jesus "came unto His own people, but His own did not receive Him; BUT to those who did receive Him, He gave the right to be called the children of God, even to those who believe in His name." Simeon was predicting the rise of a new group of spiritual leaders in God's eyes-first, the Apostles and then all who would believe and follow Jesus. All the priests, the scribes, the temple servants, the ruling Sanhedrin-all were rendered unnecessary and superfluous. Note that Simeon predicted the creation of a world-wide following of the Messiah; Jesus would be for all people, a "Light of Revelation to the Gentile world". In one sense, Simeon was talking about us! His words echoed those of the angels who appeared to the Shepherds: "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." These words were confirmation of Jesus' identity as the Savior of all mankind; new words of revelation to Mary and Joseph, and great encouragement. But God was not finished with His work that day; there also was a second person in the Temple that day that God wished to reward, and her name was Anna. Read vv. 36-38 III. ANNA, A WOMAN PERSEVERANT AND DEDICATED We are given an amazing number of details about Anna in these few verses, in fact more is said about her background and life than about her response to seeing the Lord Jesus. I believe that is instructive-God wants us to learn from her life, as well as her response. Let me point out here that God arranged two witnesses to be present in the Temple that day. You must understand that in Jewish understanding, as Deuteronomy 19:15 clearly states, "On the testimony of two witnesses may a matter be confirmed." Two witnesses were required to substantiate anything of importance. God provided Simeon and Anna to be those two witnesses to encourage and confirm to Mary and Joseph that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. Let's look at Anna for a moment. He name is equivalent to Hanna, which carries the meaning of "grace or favor". She was the daughter of Phanuel, which means "the face of God". But Anna must have puzzled over the "grace and favor" meaning of her name, for the circumstances of her life rather made a mockery of that meaning. Her life had not been easy or full of good fortune. If God really loved her, why had He allowed her to be widowed at such a young age, left alone in the world and dependent upon the generosity of others? Remember that there were no insurance policies for widows, no survivor's benefits, and few jobs for a single woman to perform. Her life circumstances had not been easy. Yet what did Anna do with her life? Did she see it as wasted or useless? Did she spend her days in bitterness about what God had allowed? No! She persevered and refused to blame God for her poor circumstances. Instead of anger and bitterness, her life was characterized by service and devotion to God. What an example Anna is for us today! When life gives us lemons, God desires for us to make lemonade! Here is Anna, 84 years old, having spent over 60 years as a widow, who viewed life as an opportunity. She did not let misfortune destroy her. How many people settle into a pattern of negative thinking, blaming the world, blaming other people-even blaming God for all the misfortune in their lives. Such people become negative, sour, bitter people which most folks try to avoid. What a dead-end way of living! There is a better way-the way of Anna. That way is in trusting God, and allowing Him to use our circumstances to His glory. Anna persevered through her circumstances, turning her negatives into positives. We are told that Anna's ministry was one of prayer and fasting-an unnoticed, private ministry, yet highly honored by God. She was one of the righteous and faithful remnant in Israel which was like salt which preserves from corruption. What other characteristics other than positive perseverance can we seen in Anna? How about single-minded devotion to God? She spent all her time in the Temple, coveting the nearness of God. God rewarded Anna by allowing her to be part of that meeting with Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and Simeon. After hearing Simeon's words, she began praising God and giving thanks to Him for keeping His promise of the Messiah. She also continued speaking to all those in Jerusalem of like mind, those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem, in other words, the Messiah. Her reward was to bear witness of the coming of the Messiah. Her reward came at the end of her life, after over 60 years of faithful service. God rewarded the faithful lives of these two elderly people who had proven their devotion over long years of walking with the Lord in righteousness. Does God still reward righteousness in His people? Yes! Scripture is full of that very promise. That is the message of Simeon and Anna. Listen to His voice. Persevere. Hang in there. Never give up. Trust in the Lord alone. God rewards those who faithfully walk in righteousness-often in this life, but most certainly in the life to come. Words to live by in the New Year. 1