Rev. Roland J. Wells, Jr. - Pastor

The First Sunday After Christmas - December 29, 2002

Lessons: Isaiah 45:22-25; Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 2:25-40

"Simeon and Anna"

Introduction:

There are certain characters who appear in the pages of Scripture for a moment and their mission is accomplished in a moment. The whole purpose of their life is fulfilled in one supernova burst of light, and they and then they disappear. The Bible stories have dozens of them, like:

-Enoch who is taken directly to heaven.

-The anonymous figures, without name, simply called 'the man of God' who appear at many crucial times in the OT narrative.

-Odd figures like Eldad and Medad appear, fulfill a role with great significance, and disappear.

-In the New Testament, Matthias is chosen by a shake of the dice, is named the 12^th apostle, and disappears.

Today our Gospel story mentions two figures who appear, confirm God's action to Mary and Joseph-and disappear.

The two in our text today, from Luke's Gospel, and only found in Luke's Gospel, appear in this story, and disappear. They are both very elderly folks at a time when very few lived to be elderly. Let's look at each of them.

I) Simeon:

Simeon's section is most notable because of the repeated mention of God's Holy Spirit. Luke's Gospel speaks more about the Spirit than the other Gospels, but Simeon is remarkable beyond the norm. Let's hear the text again, and let's tune our ears for reference to what the Spirit is doing: Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel,(He was expecting the coming of the Messiah) and the Holy Spirit rested on him. (There's the first mention of the Holy Spirit in our text- the Holy Spirit had been very rare. I used my computer Bible program, and scanned all of the 'Apocryphal' books written between the OT and NT. In those books, no one is ever said to be filled with God's Spirit, although the books do mention some in the OT who had been filled. After the Jews came back from Babylon, it appears that God simply did not pour out his Spirit on anyone for 500 years! Simeon is among the first of a new breed- those filled with the Holy Spirit again. We're only in chapter two, and already in Luke's Gospel he's named several who are filled- John the Baptist from his mother's womb; Mary, Elizabeth and Zechariah. And now Simeon. For hundreds of years, no one- and now, a whole crop! God is up to something!

26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Now the Spirit reveals prophetic truth to Simeon! God had been leading Simeon for a long time. He had been told, maybe a long time before, that he would see the Messiah. Now the Spirit taps him on the shoulder-now is the hour. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; He was ready, he was obedient! Now the action begins. He'd been waiting for decades. Was he looking for a great hero? A mighty warrior? But now, it's a tiny, newborn baby.

And when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, (to circumcise him, to bring him into identity with the Jewish people) 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." (This echoes several OT passages- he knew his Bible) 33 And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about (Jesus.)

34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, ('Falling' means destruction and judgement; 'Rising' is the same word as 'resurrection') and to be a sign (A prophetic, miraculous sign) that will be opposed (Opposition will arise against Jesus, even though he will be surrounded by the miraculous) 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed (What side they will take, for or against Jesus, will reveal the hidden thoughts of their hearts-these inner motivations are a theme in Luke) --and a sword (This is figurative- meaning 'great sadness and emotion') will pierce your own soul too."

Simeon has crossed over to the role of the prophet- and very clearly has told part of what Jesus' life will contain. Thirty years before the start of his ministry, Simeon has told many of the deep truths of Jesus' ministry. He's old and feeble- he even tells God he is now ready to die- but he's the first true prophet in hundreds of years. That's his testimony;

But the OT says that truth must be testified to by the words of two witnesses. And so who pops up next?

II) Anna

Anna was perhaps older than Simeon. She had been married, but widowed young and since that time had devoted herself simply to serving the Lord. God chooses certain people to this kind of life of celibacy and singleness of devotion. Only God can call people to that, not church rules or human traditions. Anna had lived that life. Now she was 84. That was a remarkable age for Jesus' day. Now she was so old that she somehow lived right at the temple- perhaps the priests or some other charitable folks supported her- they probably recognized the importance of her ministry. She fasted and prayed all the time.

We don't have a clue as to how many faithful ones were apart of the worship in the temple. It seemed that Zechariah, John the Baptist's father was a faithful server in the temple. Perhaps there were many. The control of the Temple was in the hands of the families of the high priests, who were very politically savvy and politically involved. They were centrally tied to the 'powers that be.' They had controlled Judah most of the time since the people had come back from Babylon 500 years before. Since the Romans took over, the High Priestly family had the only true power held by the Jewish people. They were 'high society,' very accommodating with the Greek culture, and very corrupt. But there were obviously still some faithful people like Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, Simeon and Anna. There always will be a true remnant. That has been true since Jesus, too. Even at times when the Church has been corrupted, there is always a faithful remnant, upon whom Christ rebuilds his Church. It's a good reminder that Simeon and Anna did not give up on God's ability, even when it seemed impossible- for 500 years!

Anna was a prophetess- the OT mentions five prophetesses- they were much rarer, but the prophet Joel had promised,

(Joel 2:28-29) "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.

Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

This ancient, faithful daughter is standing somewhere nearby, as this is all going on, and she begins to prophesy,

"38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem."

And the voice of the second witness confirms the truth of the matter.

This had been quite the week for Mary and Joseph. A birth in a stable, a visit from awe-struck shepherds and now this happening in the temple. I bet Mary pondered all this in her heart, too.

Now Luke passes over the story of the Wise Men, and the baby killing of Herod, and the quick trip to Egypt- those things would have slowed down his story. Those details were much more important to Matthew's Jewish audience. Every detail in Matthew points to Jesus as the continuation and new beginning of the people of Israel. Luke doesn't need all that.

III) Our Response

But what do we do with this story of Anna and Simeon? I think there are many applications-

1) Age is no limitation to God. God had been preparing Simeon and Anna for exactly that time. As a younger woman, the law would not have allowed Anna to have remained in the temple every day. Now she had fulfilled her other duties, and could give herself to prayer and worship. God has different calls for the various times of our lives. And God may have some great adventure yet for you.

2) You are indwelt by that same Spirit as Simeon and Anna. Do you have expectations of God doing powerful things through you? Do you see your life as a continuation of the prophets, kings, judges and apostles? You have that same Spirit. What are your expectations? Are they great enough?

3) If you are a young person, is your life on a trajectory of dedication that will lead to a life well-spent, like Simeon and Anna? If you are a part of St. Paul's, you are surrounded by many Simeons and Annas- from whom you can learn and model your life after. You are surrounded by giants of faith. Do you take the time to know them? Are you watching them and learning?

4) And, on December 29, what are you going to do with this baby? Do you recognize this baby Jesus for who he is, or have you lost him and his message? Has all the razz-ma-tazz of Christmas overshadowed the simple fact of this tiny Baby? Anna and Simeon were focused on what God was doing. They were ready. When they encountered Jesus, they were deeply touched and deeply blessed. Are you really understanding the meaning of this baby named Jesus?

Simeon are tiny bit players in the drama of the Bible. But they focused their whole lives on doing God's will. Their words and actions have come down to us for 2,000 years. They're an important reminder of what this Christmas thing is all about.

Invitation, Amen.

Christmas 1 - December 29, 2002

Isaiah 45:22-25

Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. 23 By myself I have sworn, from my mouth has gone forth in righteousness a word that shall not return: "To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear." 24 Only in the LORD, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; all who were incensed against him shall come to him and be ashamed. 25 In the LORD all the offspring of Israel shall triumph and glory.

Colossians 3:12-17

As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Luke 2:25-40

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." 33 And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed--and a sword will pierce your own soul too."

36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.