Luke 2:22-40 [Christmas 1]
Pastor Ron Koehler Grace—Tucson, AZ December 31, 2023
It often happens right back there (pulpit side near the back) or over here (lectern side in the front). Someone walks by and sees a new baby and they stop in their tracks and begin cooing over the child. Or you’re in mid-conversation and a baby is brought somewhere in the vicinity, and you just drop the person you were talking to so that you can talk to the little one! I know I’ve done it; maybe you have too. There was a baby who caused the same thing at church one day very long ago. You know from the gospel reading from Luke just a few minutes ago, that it was Jesus, who was brought to the temple in Jerusalem by his parents. A little over a month after Jesus was born, there were a couple things that God’s law required of the parents. This went all the way back to the time of Moses. After giving birth, the Law of Purification required a woman to bring an offering to the Lord (Lev. 12:1-8). In the case of Mary and Joseph, it was the gift of those in humble circumstances: the price of two doves or pigeons. They were also there to present, or dedicate, Jesus to the Lord because he was their firstborn son (Ex. 13:1-2, 11-16). As they faithfully went about their worship of the Lord in this way, they ran into some interesting people! As we meet those people this morning, we’ll see that The Baby Who Brought Peace to them also brings peace to this world and to us. Peace to Simeon What brings you peace? For moms of little ones, it might just be breaking away long enough to take a shower—just a few moments of peace. Others find peace as they place one foot after the other down on the path, hiking and taking in the beauties of nature. Some of us nerds find peace in our budgeting spreadsheets working perfectly and all our bills paid and accounts in order. If we only think of peace in a worldly sense, we’re missing a vastly more important kind of peace, the kind that Simeon was looking for and eventually found. What an unusual man. If God describes a person as “righteous and devout,” someone looking for the Savior to come, that person kind of sounds like a superhero of faith! There’s also this: He had something no one else had. The Holy Spirit told him that he would not die before he saw the Savior! Imagine having that kind of faith and waiting, wondering each morning when you woke up “Will today be the day! And talk about the Holy Spirit working in your life! The Spirit told him he would see the Savior, then moved him to go to the temple the day that Mary and Joseph went there for these special things, and somehow made it clear which child was the right one— because Mary and Joseph and Jesus looked like any other family there doing similar kinds of things. Somehow Simeon was led right to the Christ child—and it brought him peace.
He had a peace that settled over him because he realized that God had carried through on his promise to send a Savior. He knew that in that moment, he was looking at the embodiment of salvation. He obviously knew the Scriptures that promised that this Savior came for Jews and Gentiles alike. If your spiritual goal was to see the promised Savior, and you knew that he was coming to the rescue of all people, would that not give you peace to finally see him? It would. And it did for Simeon. Simeon’s peace was not merely the kind of peace that comes from a settled mind or a little quiet time. His was a peace that is eternal. He went from being a man who never had to worry about dying in his sleep when he laid his head on the pillow at night, to a man who knew he might die at any moment after he handed Jesus back to his parents. But he was good with it! He was ready to go! You heard him: Lord, you now dismiss your servant in peace, according to your word, because my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. Simeon knew that eternal life would be his because of this child and what he would do. So, he was at peace knowing that now whenever the Lord decided his time in this world was done, he would be with him in heaven. A righteous and devout man is still a man—a sinful man—a man who needs Jesus to pay for his sins. It was as true for Simeon as it is for you and me. Simeon’s trust in Jesus’ forgiveness would bring him an eternal peace and rest unlike anything this world can offer. That peace doesn’t merely last as long as your break from the kids or your hike or until next month’s bills are paid. This is a different kind of peace and one that lasts forever. Peace to Anna Faith superhero #2. That’s Anna in my book. This is the original church lady. She did not leave the temple complex, since she was worshipping with fasting and prayers night and day. This woman stands out in a world where people often don’t find church important, or less of a priority, or have to force themselves to go sometimes (and this sometimes includes us). Anna was standing there, watching, listening. She knew what was happening—the promised Savior of the world had shown up in the temple that day! A righteous and devout believer herself, Anna was called a prophetess. Since all of this probably took place in the temple’s Court of Women—because Mary and Anna were both there—it seems that Anna was a regular witness to those who were there. Simeon held the Savior and praised God for sending Jesus and giving him the privilege of seeing him. Anna gave thanks to the Lord also, and spoke to people there who were waiting for this day, the day that the Redeemer would come. We see in Anna what we saw in the shepherds after they had marveled at the Christ child in the manger. She overflowed with joy and thanks so much so that she just had to tell people! She wanted others to have the same peace that ruled her heart, knowing that the Savior had come.
Peace to the world Jesus was born into a world not ruled by peace. That’s actually why he came, isn’t it? Peace between people and peace between God and people has been shattered ever since Eden. Jesus came to undo the disharmony that sin brought. He came to forgive and save and bring true peace to the world. But you know the world’s response to that. In addition to his words of praise to God, Simeon shared some difficult news with Mary: “Listen carefully, this child is appointed for the falling and rising of many in Israel and for a sign that is spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” You know how many people flat-out rejected Jesus, including many in the religious community. Some would be lifted up by faith in Jesus and many would spiritually trip and fall because they refused to trust in him. They would contradict Christ and slander the Savior, showing how impure their hearts were. Simeon foretold all of these things in one statement. But there was one sentence more that must have been tucked away in Mary’s mind for all the years of Jesus’ life—right up to the end, as she tearfully looked upon her son and her Savior, hanging on a Roman cross. It was then that she understood Simeon’s words: And a sword will pierce your own soul too. During this Christmas season, we heard people talk about peace—a season of peace, prayers for peace, wishing peace on earth. This is nice, of course, but the true message of Christmas and peace was lost on many. The peace God talks about—the peace we think about this morning—is not peace among people and nations, but peace between God and sinners. Jesus brought peace to the world, but that’s not the peace the world is looking for and not the kind of peace it wants. But still, out of love, God sends his Spirit to overcome those attitudes and work faith in people, to make them righteous and devout like Simeon and Anna. All those who recognize their imperfections and offenses before God and look to Jesus for forgiveness find peace in him. It is a peace that helps them here in this world, and it is a peace they will enjoy forever in heaven. Peace to you and me Yes, we know the world’s response to Jesus then and now. But we also know our response to him. We have also been guilty of not listening to what Jesus says. Maybe we’ve avoided our Bible too often. Or don’t pay much attention to the Bible readings and sermon when we are here in church. Or just reject some of the things God tells us in his Word, refusing them because we just don’t like them. We may have even searched for peace in things that have nothing to do with God—even things that God condemns.
Here’s the truth: our peace only comes from looking at the One who was laid in a manger, who laid in the arms of Simeon, and who laid down his life on the cross. Take 30% off and start wrapping up your gift list! Reward. Redeem. Repeat! 3x cash back for your holiday shopping! Take home up to 50% off! The Mystery Sale is on! FLASH OFFER: 20% off! Last chance to save! Special Savings Continue! Get it while it lasts with free shipping! Those are only a handful of actual pre-Christmas email titles that I received—in a 2-day period! I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many exclamation points! Everybody is your friend when they want something from you, right? You see all that in the inbox and you might think: Christmas is all about getting your money (cynical), OR Christmas is all about helping you buy something for others (better). But Christmas is REALLY about God giving to you—giving you peace through his Son: Peace in your heart like Simeon had, A peace that you can share with people around you—like Anna did. May God give you that peace here until you have eternal peace with him in heaven. Amen. Now the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts in minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.