First Sunday after Christmas 12/27/09 Text: Luke 2:22-40 Title: Jesus is Lord!
First Sunday after Christmas
12/2709
Text: Luke 2:22-40
Title: Jesus is Lord
The problem that is inherent with our assigned readings every week is that you cannot get the context in which they are written without knowing, as Paul Harvey use to say, “The rest of the story.” Not knowing the context of the reading can hinder your understanding of God’s Word for your life plus discourage your further studying the word of God.
Our Gospel reading for this morning is a perfect example of what I mean. If I were to ask you why God had Saint Luke record our Gospel reading for this morning most Christians could not give an answer. They just would not get it, not because the words and meaning are not clear, but because they are not read as a whole story. This morning I want to share with you some information about Luke’s account of Jesus, so that you will hopefully begin to have, if you do not already, a deeper relationship with Jesus, thus having a better life, as you go through whatever life throws your way.
Saint Luke is giving us eye witness accounts to show that Jesus is God. Being a doctor he wants proof and what better proof than eyewitness accounts. He starts his Gospel with an angel telling Zechariah that his barren wife Elizabeth was going to have a child that would be filled with the Holy Spirit and that he would prepare the way for the Messiah. We then read in the following verses that the same angel appeared to the Virgin Mary to tell her she would be the mother of the Messiah. Next we have the encounter between Elizabeth and Mary where Elizabeth proclaims that Mary is carrying the Lord in her womb after which Mary breaks out into song proclaiming that the Messiah will do mighty things.
Then Saint Luke records for us the prophecy of Zechariah to set the stage for Jesus’ birth. Joseph and Mary head for Bethlehem because of a census called by the governor. Jesus is born and an angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds to tell them “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." The shepherds left their flocks, saw the baby Jesus and went back proclaiming the good news of his birth.
Today in our Gospel reading Saint Luke recorded for us another eyewitness account. Jesus is now 40 days old. He had already been circumcised and given his name when he was 8 days old as was required by the law. We know that he is 40 days old because 40 days after a woman has given birth to a son she has to go to the temple to be purified. Since Jesus was the first born of Mary this was also the time when he was to be dedicated to the Lord, as were all first born males.
This was a common event in the temple which makes it all the more remarkable, for more than likely hundreds of Jewish women and their families were coming into the temple area, actually the Court of the Women, that day, to undergo their purifying rite. Simeon led by the Holy Spirit sees Jesus and taking him in his arms he says, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have
seen your salvation that you have prepared for the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for the glory of your people Israel.” By the way, these are the same words we use when we sing the Nunc Dimittis after communion because we too have in a sense held Jesus in our hands.
We see in just the first chapter and half of the Gospel of Luke that angels have proclaimed that Jesus is God and that he is going to make peace between us and the Father. We heard Elizabeth, Mary, and Zechariah, and the shepherds proclaim that Jesus is God that he is going to be the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. And today in the words of Simeon we are going to learn more about Jesus.
Simeon tells us that Jesus is the salvation of all people, both Gentiles, that is us, and the people of Israel. Jesus is the light that will enlighten those who were worshiping idols showing them the way to the true God. He is also, as Simeon mentions, the glory of his people Israel, for in his birth the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies had taken place. All those years of saying that the Messiah would come from the nation of Israel had come true and for that Israel was given glory.
In just the first chapter and half of Saint Luke’s Gospel we have learned that Jesus brings peace between us and the Father; that it is through him that those that did not believe in God would know God, and that Jesus is the fulfillment of all the prophecies speaking of the Messiah coming from Israel. We know all of this and Jesus is only 40 days old.
And, if we read a little further we hear Simeon say specifically to Mary, “Behold this child is appointed or the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed and a sword will pierce through your own soul, so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” We hear for the first time from Simeon that Jesus is going to cause conflict, for many will follow him while others will oppose him and that something so terrible is going to take place in Jesus’ life that will be so hurtful to Mary that it will be like a sword piercing her soul. In that prophecy we learn that Jesus is going to suffer in a terrible way and as we know die on a cross, all of which Mary would have witnessed.
We are told that Mary and Joseph marveled at what was being said about Jesus. It is certainly something to be amazed at, to have such things said there publicly by the holy man in that public, sacred place; for after all Jesus according to the world’s standards was a poor, insignificant baby. Mary was poor and humble, and his stepfather Joseph was not rich. Yet Jesus was regarded by so many as being the Savior of all people, the light of all Gentiles, and the honor and glory of all Israel.
Even though Simeon’s prophecy did not seem possible Mary and Joseph believed it, which why they marveled at the prophecy. If they had not believed Simeon’s prophecy they would have held what he said in contempt and grabbed Jesus from Simeon’s arms and gotten out of the temple.
Mary believed, there is no doubt about that, for Mary remembered what the angel had told her about Jesus. She remembered what her aunt Elizabeth had said about her being the mother of the Lord, and I am sure she remembered what the shepherds had said that night of his birth. She knew that her son was the promised Messiah, but just like the disciples of Jesus she did not yet have a full understanding of him.
Everyone who saw Jesus, even as a baby were either repulsed by him or where moved and transformed by him. Those that rejected him just see a helpless baby. Later they would only see a man who thought that he was God and was finally put to death. They rejected his Godhood and forgiveness because it is just foolishness. They would fall into unbelief.
But Simeon’s prophecy is not all negative, for we are told that Jesus will cause people to rise. In other words come to faith. Simeon and Anna both saw in Jesus, even as a baby, promise, and hope, and love, and joy. They saw him as the Savior. They saw in him all of the virtues listed in our Epistle reading for today, the virtues that, as a follower of Jesus, others are to see in each of us.
Now that you know more about this story of Jesus’ presentation at the temple when he was 40 days old we need to understand what it means for us, as followers of Jesus. There are several lessons that we could take from this text that we could apply to our daily lives. Out of all of them I think the best lesson to take from this reading is that Jesus is Lord and that he models for us the virtues that we are to show in our lives.
We are to have compassionate hearts that are gracious to all people just as Jesus manifested his grace to all sinners through his life.
We are to show kindness to our neighbor, that is all, in need without being forced by the law of God, just as Jesus gave himself into death for us with no worthiness on our part.
We are live lives of humility that place us in a servant role, as servants of God. We are not to be prideful or dominating, for Jesus in his role as the suffering servant humbled himself to the point of death on the cross.
We are to be meek so that we may confess with a true belief that we are both saint and sinner and that even though we were not present at Jesus’ whipping and death we are just as responsible for his death as they were.
We are to be patient, for patience preservers under injustices without seeking vengeance. Jesus most certainly persevered under injustices that we will never have to endure.
We are to bear with one another showing Jesus’ love when others fall into sin. We are to help them to grow in their faith and life just as Jesus bore our sins and by his wounds we were healed.
We are to forgive others as you would a debt past or present, real or imaginary, for the gift of Jesus’ forgiveness is without end.
We are to have all these virtues, if we are to proclaim that we are Christians and the only way we can get them is by letting God’s love enter our hearts, for he loves us with all of our flaws and sins.
Mary, Elizabeth, Joseph, the shepherds, Simeon and Anna all saw God in Jesus. And they were certainly blessed. Today we see Jesus in his Word and Supper. And in seeing him we are blessed, for his love becomes ours and that love then shows itself in compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, bearing with each other, and forgiveness. It is truly a marvelous thing to live under his grace and leadership. Amen
12/2709
Text: Luke 2:22-40
Title: Jesus is Lord
The problem that is inherent with our assigned readings every week is that you cannot get the context in which they are written without knowing, as Paul Harvey use to say, “The rest of the story.” Not knowing the context of the reading can hinder your understanding of God’s Word for your life plus discourage your further studying the word of God.
Our Gospel reading for this morning is a perfect example of what I mean. If I were to ask you why God had Saint Luke record our Gospel reading for this morning most Christians could not give an answer. They just would not get it, not because the words and meaning are not clear, but because they are not read as a whole story. This morning I want to share with you some information about Luke’s account of Jesus, so that you will hopefully begin to have, if you do not already, a deeper relationship with Jesus, thus having a better life, as you go through whatever life throws your way.
Saint Luke is giving us eye witness accounts to show that Jesus is God. Being a doctor he wants proof and what better proof than eyewitness accounts. He starts his Gospel with an angel telling Zechariah that his barren wife Elizabeth was going to have a child that would be filled with the Holy Spirit and that he would prepare the way for the Messiah. We then read in the following verses that the same angel appeared to the Virgin Mary to tell her she would be the mother of the Messiah. Next we have the encounter between Elizabeth and Mary where Elizabeth proclaims that Mary is carrying the Lord in her womb after which Mary breaks out into song proclaiming that the Messiah will do mighty things.
Then Saint Luke records for us the prophecy of Zechariah to set the stage for Jesus’ birth. Joseph and Mary head for Bethlehem because of a census called by the governor. Jesus is born and an angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds to tell them “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." The shepherds left their flocks, saw the baby Jesus and went back proclaiming the good news of his birth.
Today in our Gospel reading Saint Luke recorded for us another eyewitness account. Jesus is now 40 days old. He had already been circumcised and given his name when he was 8 days old as was required by the law. We know that he is 40 days old because 40 days after a woman has given birth to a son she has to go to the temple to be purified. Since Jesus was the first born of Mary this was also the time when he was to be dedicated to the Lord, as were all first born males.
This was a common event in the temple which makes it all the more remarkable, for more than likely hundreds of Jewish women and their families were coming into the temple area, actually the Court of the Women, that day, to undergo their purifying rite. Simeon led by the Holy Spirit sees Jesus and taking him in his arms he says, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have
seen your salvation that you have prepared for the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for the glory of your people Israel.” By the way, these are the same words we use when we sing the Nunc Dimittis after communion because we too have in a sense held Jesus in our hands.
We see in just the first chapter and half of the Gospel of Luke that angels have proclaimed that Jesus is God and that he is going to make peace between us and the Father. We heard Elizabeth, Mary, and Zechariah, and the shepherds proclaim that Jesus is God that he is going to be the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. And today in the words of Simeon we are going to learn more about Jesus.
Simeon tells us that Jesus is the salvation of all people, both Gentiles, that is us, and the people of Israel. Jesus is the light that will enlighten those who were worshiping idols showing them the way to the true God. He is also, as Simeon mentions, the glory of his people Israel, for in his birth the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies had taken place. All those years of saying that the Messiah would come from the nation of Israel had come true and for that Israel was given glory.
In just the first chapter and half of Saint Luke’s Gospel we have learned that Jesus brings peace between us and the Father; that it is through him that those that did not believe in God would know God, and that Jesus is the fulfillment of all the prophecies speaking of the Messiah coming from Israel. We know all of this and Jesus is only 40 days old.
And, if we read a little further we hear Simeon say specifically to Mary, “Behold this child is appointed or the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed and a sword will pierce through your own soul, so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” We hear for the first time from Simeon that Jesus is going to cause conflict, for many will follow him while others will oppose him and that something so terrible is going to take place in Jesus’ life that will be so hurtful to Mary that it will be like a sword piercing her soul. In that prophecy we learn that Jesus is going to suffer in a terrible way and as we know die on a cross, all of which Mary would have witnessed.
We are told that Mary and Joseph marveled at what was being said about Jesus. It is certainly something to be amazed at, to have such things said there publicly by the holy man in that public, sacred place; for after all Jesus according to the world’s standards was a poor, insignificant baby. Mary was poor and humble, and his stepfather Joseph was not rich. Yet Jesus was regarded by so many as being the Savior of all people, the light of all Gentiles, and the honor and glory of all Israel.
Even though Simeon’s prophecy did not seem possible Mary and Joseph believed it, which why they marveled at the prophecy. If they had not believed Simeon’s prophecy they would have held what he said in contempt and grabbed Jesus from Simeon’s arms and gotten out of the temple.
Mary believed, there is no doubt about that, for Mary remembered what the angel had told her about Jesus. She remembered what her aunt Elizabeth had said about her being the mother of the Lord, and I am sure she remembered what the shepherds had said that night of his birth. She knew that her son was the promised Messiah, but just like the disciples of Jesus she did not yet have a full understanding of him.
Everyone who saw Jesus, even as a baby were either repulsed by him or where moved and transformed by him. Those that rejected him just see a helpless baby. Later they would only see a man who thought that he was God and was finally put to death. They rejected his Godhood and forgiveness because it is just foolishness. They would fall into unbelief.
But Simeon’s prophecy is not all negative, for we are told that Jesus will cause people to rise. In other words come to faith. Simeon and Anna both saw in Jesus, even as a baby, promise, and hope, and love, and joy. They saw him as the Savior. They saw in him all of the virtues listed in our Epistle reading for today, the virtues that, as a follower of Jesus, others are to see in each of us.
Now that you know more about this story of Jesus’ presentation at the temple when he was 40 days old we need to understand what it means for us, as followers of Jesus. There are several lessons that we could take from this text that we could apply to our daily lives. Out of all of them I think the best lesson to take from this reading is that Jesus is Lord and that he models for us the virtues that we are to show in our lives.
We are to have compassionate hearts that are gracious to all people just as Jesus manifested his grace to all sinners through his life.
We are to show kindness to our neighbor, that is all, in need without being forced by the law of God, just as Jesus gave himself into death for us with no worthiness on our part.
We are live lives of humility that place us in a servant role, as servants of God. We are not to be prideful or dominating, for Jesus in his role as the suffering servant humbled himself to the point of death on the cross.
We are to be meek so that we may confess with a true belief that we are both saint and sinner and that even though we were not present at Jesus’ whipping and death we are just as responsible for his death as they were.
We are to be patient, for patience preservers under injustices without seeking vengeance. Jesus most certainly persevered under injustices that we will never have to endure.
We are to bear with one another showing Jesus’ love when others fall into sin. We are to help them to grow in their faith and life just as Jesus bore our sins and by his wounds we were healed.
We are to forgive others as you would a debt past or present, real or imaginary, for the gift of Jesus’ forgiveness is without end.
We are to have all these virtues, if we are to proclaim that we are Christians and the only way we can get them is by letting God’s love enter our hearts, for he loves us with all of our flaws and sins.
Mary, Elizabeth, Joseph, the shepherds, Simeon and Anna all saw God in Jesus. And they were certainly blessed. Today we see Jesus in his Word and Supper. And in seeing him we are blessed, for his love becomes ours and that love then shows itself in compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, bearing with each other, and forgiveness. It is truly a marvelous thing to live under his grace and leadership. Amen
posted by Pastor Rhoads | 3:24 PM
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