THE FULL PICTURE OF CHRISTMAS
Isaiah's Prophecy
“The LORD will lay bare His holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.” - Isaiah 52:10
Lesson # 5
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
More and more people are buying 3D printers. Far beyond the way old-school printers reproduce words on paper using ink, 3D printers create objects in myriad shapes from various materials. But what if a 3D printer could be used to reproduce, say, a human liver? Researchers are already looking into the possibility. Instead of stacking successive layers of some material to create an object, a “bioprinter” would use a person’s own cell tissue to construct living tissue. In the future, you could receive a transplantable organ with no risk of rejection.
Far-fetched? Just think how far-fetched a 3D printer once sounded. Or walking around with a hand-held device with a camera, phone, and more computing power than NASA had for the moon landings. We have seen these amazing things in our own lifetimes.
The Jewish people had waited for centuries for the Messiah. God had promised He was coming through the prophets, but would it happen in their lifetime? One man in the Bible knew the answer. We don’t know a lot about him, but we know this one thing: he knew he would see the Messiah before he died.
THE POINT
We have a sure hope when we trust in Jesus.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Luke 2:25-27
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,
Simeon wanted to do one thing before he died. In fact, we know of only one thing on Simeon’s “bucket list.” Simeon had waited his whole life for this one thing, and it was definitely something worth waiting for. Simeon’s desire was to behold the promised Messiah who would come to save us from our sins.
Many often assume that Simeon was an older man because of the Holy Spirit’s promise “that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah,” but we just don’t know. The Scripture gives no hint to his age, but Luke did note three revealing characteristics.
- He was righteous and devout. The word righteous simply means right living. Most people let sin run their lives; Simeon’s life, however, was defined by doing the right thing. Devout means reverent and faithful. It implies that Simeon lived with great respect for God in all he did.
- Waiting for the Messiah. This righteous and devout man was “waiting for the consolation of Israel.” Israel’s consolation centered in a hope for a Messiah who would bring comfort to the weary souls of Israel. This consolation does not include the erroneous notion of a political messiah, but the messianic hope expressed by the prophet Isaiah. “In that day they will say, ‘Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation’” (Isa. 25:9).
- Full of the Holy Spirit. Prior to the coming of the Holy Spirit on all believers in Acts 2, people experienced the Holy Spirit’s work in different ways. Luke had already told us that Simeon sought to live right and was wholly devoted to God, so his heart would have been receptive to the Spirit’s work in him.
What are some ways the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives?
Just as the Spirit promised Simeon he would see the Messiah, now he was “moved by the Spirit” to enter the temple at just the right moment. We don’t know how Simeon recognized the infant as the Messiah, but we can assume the same Holy Spirit who guided him there opened his eyes to who was in front of him.
During a certain period in Israel’s history, “the people were waiting expectantly” regarding the coming Messiah (Luke 3:15). Messianic expectations were running high, yet only a small number of people realized Jesus was the fulfillment of the prophecies. But Simeon knew—and he could do nothing less than praise God.
Luke 2:28-32
28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
We might wonder what Simeon felt when he held Jesus. In those moments, the Lord’s servant held what he had anticipated his whole life. We may not know just what he felt, but we know what he said.
Verses 29-32 are commonly referred to as Simeon’s Psalm. It is a touching expression of Simeon’s faith in God. His praise is the right response to the grace God was pouring into Simeon’s life.
What does Simeon’s statement of praise teach us about God’s mission?
Simeon prefaced his praise with a request: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.” We’ve all heard people say things like, “I could die happy if I could just ….” Simeon was not being flippant in that way; instead, his words carry the tone of a slave being set free. It was his farewell to the world.
Simeon now saw “consolation of Israel” (v. 25), and his response calls to mind a similar proclamation Isaiah the prophet made eight hundred years earlier: “The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God” (Isa. 52:10). God’s salvation is for every nation, tongue, and tribe—both Jews and Gentiles. God’s global purpose is to draw all people to Him: “A great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Rev. 7:9).
Simeon’s proclamation might have shocked other Jews in the temple that day. The Jews were proud of their status as God’s chosen people. They saw the Messiah as their deliverer. They assumed He would establish their kingdom, which would then rule over the Gentiles. The truth that God’s salvation included the Gentiles ran counter to their preconceptions and prejudices.
At that point, Simeon saw what others did not—salvation was not limited to one nation—so his words could also be viewed as a missionary hymn. The mission of the Messiah was to bring us all to God, and for that we can be eternally thankful.
Luke 2:33-35
33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
How does Jesus cause people to “fall and rise”?
Joseph and Mary were surely amazed with their child. They already knew Jesus was special, but the words Simeon spoke were most likely hard for them to understand. Simeon highlighted three things that would result from the life of Jesus.
- Jesus would impact people’s destiny. “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel.” This phrase has to do with how we respond to the Messiah. People can be divided into two groups: Those who rise (individuals who accept Christ by faith, are lifted out of their sin, and enter heaven) and those who fall (people who reject Christ, remain in their unbelief, and fall into eternal punishment). These consequences would reveal what people thought about Mary’s son.
- Jesus would be opposed. This term refers not only to the verbal insults Christ would endure during His life and death, but also to the people’s hatred and rejection. Jesus would be “a sign” from God that many would reject.
- Jesus would reveal our thoughts. Through Christ’s ministry, teaching, and presence, the thoughts of many hearts were revealed—and still are today. Christ exposes us as we truly are. It’s natural to run from someone who will expose us. We don’t want our deeds to be found out. Humanity’s rejection of the Messiah would reveal the wicked state of our heart.
On the other hand, when our thoughts are revealed, our sins are exposed. When we confess them, Jesus forgives. When we trust Him, Jesus changes our eternal destiny. We truly have a sure hope when we trust in Jesus.
What are some ways we can be prepared to respond to those who oppose Jesus today?
THE POINT
We have a sure hope when we trust in Jesus.
LIVE IT OUT
We can have a sure hope in Christ. To nurture that hope, choose one of these applications.
- Praise. Simeon’s first response to the Messiah was praise. Specifically, Simeon praised God for His salvation. Spend time praising God for His grace, mercy, and salvation.
- Wait. Jesus’ salvation brings freedom and joy; however, we must still live in a fallen world until we are with Him in heaven. The hard thing about waiting is that it involves patience. Memorize Psalm 27:14: “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”
- Go. Simeon’s words reflected a global view of Christ’s salvation. Talk with your church leaders about opportunities to get involved in taking the gospel to the world: praying, giving, or a short-term or long-term missions involvement.
None of us knows for sure how long we have left on this earth. But we do know that we have a sure hope when we trust in Jesus. And we have a responsibility to share that hope with others.
Hope to see everyone when we gather this Sunday in church!
In His Love,
David & Susan
Teacher Notes:
Teacher Notes:
Peace and hope are often associated with Christmas, even among those who do not celebrate Christmas as a Christ-centered holiday. For many, the one-two punch of Christmas and New Year’s give people the sense of a fresh start and a hope for a better future. But those hopes often dissipate as the holiday festivities fade. Jesus didn’t come to give us a seasonal hope, but eternal hope. That hope comes because of the salvation He offers.
The Passage
Luke 2:25-35
More and more people are buying 3D printers. Far beyond the way old-school printers reproduce words on paper using ink, 3D printers create objects in myriad shapes from various materials. But what if a 3D printer could be used to reproduce, say, a human liver? Researchers are already looking into the possibility. Instead of stacking successive layers of some material to create an object, a “bioprinter” would use a person’s own cell tissue to construct living tissue. In the future, you could receive a transplantable organ with no risk of rejection. Far-fetched? Just think how far-fetched a 3D printer once sounded. Or walking around with a hand-held device with a camera, phone, and more computing power than NASA had for the moon landings. We have seen these amazing things in our own lifetimes. The Jewish people had waited for centuries for the Messiah. God had promised He was coming through the prophets, but would it happen in their lifetime? One man in the Bible knew the answer. We don’t know a lot about him, but we know this one thing: he knew he would see the Messiah before he died.
The Setting: After the birth of Jesus, shepherds came to worship Him, and Mary pondered all that had happened since the angel first visited her. She made preparations with Joseph for a special day in the life of her child. Eight days after birth the child would be circumcised and named (see Luke 2:21-24), and they would make an offering for Mary’s purification rite from childbirth. These events would have been great in themselves, but a surprise awaited them.
Luke 2:25-35
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Consolation of Israel - (2:25)—Another way to refer to the coming of the Messiah.
“HOPE”
What are you most looking forward to in the new year?
How have your hopes and dreams changed as you’ve gotten older?
Luke 2:25-27
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,
The Scripture gives no hint to Simeon’s age, but Luke did note three revealing characteristics.
- He was righteous and devout. The word righteous simply means right living. Most people let sin run their lives; Simeon’s life, however, was defined by doing the right thing. Devout means reverent and faithful. It implies that Simeon lived with great respect for God in all he did.
- Waiting for the Messiah. This righteous and devout man was “waiting for the consolation of Israel.” Israel’s consolation centered in a hope for a Messiah who would bring comfort to the weary souls of Israel.
- Full of the Holy Spirit. Prior to the coming of the Holy Spirit on all believers in Acts 2, people experienced the Holy Spirit’s work in different ways. Luke had already told us that Simeon sought to live right and was wholly devoted to God, so his heart would have been receptive to the Spirit’s work in him.
What spiritual characteristics are attributed to Simeon? What revelation had he received from the Holy Spirit? How do you think Simeon’s personal spiritual attributes prepared him for what he experienced? What indicates Simeon’s encounter with Mary, Joseph, and the child Jesus was not an accident and more than a coincidence?
What are some ways the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives?
How was the Holy Spirit active in Simeon’s life?
How does Jesus influence the way you see and approach the future?
In what ways is Simeon an example for us?
Luke 2:25-27 Commentary understand the Holy Spirit’s work in Simeon’s life.
[Verse 25] Mary and Joseph arrived at the temple to circumcise and name their baby. The text introduces a man in Jerusalem. It does not associate him with a religious party or call him a priest. Simeon was his name. Apart from this text, we know nothing else about him. The text describes Simeon with two-character qualities. First, he was righteous. This was the same characteristic that described Zechariah and Elizabeth (see Luke 1:6) and Joseph. (See Matt. 1:19.) Simeon was committed to the ways of God. Second, Simeon was devout. This word was only used by Luke in the New Testament. (See Acts 2:5; 8:2; 22:12.) Simeon was looking forward to the consolation of Israel. This referred to the peace the coming Messiah would bring. Simeon knew prophecies of the coming Messiah, and he waited in expectation that they would be fulfilled in his lifetime. One final characteristic of Simeon was that the Holy Spirit was on him. Prior to Pentecost the Holy Spirit would come upon a few selected people to fulfill a task. (See Num. 24:2; 1 Sam. 10:10; 16:13.) After Pentecost the Holy Spirit would fill every believer. (See Eph. 1:13-14.) The Holy Spirit was on Simeon. [Verse 26] The Holy Spirit had delivered a message to Simeon. He would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Though many imagine Simeon as an old man, his age is not given. He did state he could die in peace after seeing the infant Jesus. (See Luke 2:29.) Seeing Jesus was important, but the most important part was that when he saw Jesus he was called to prophesy about the child. (See vv. 29-32.) Lord’s Messiah literally refers to the Anointed One of the Lord. This was the Messianic figure God promised would come and bring hope to Israel. The hope Jesus brought fueled Simon’s expectations and desires to see Him.
[Verse 27] Since the Holy Spirit was on Simeon (see v. 25), and since the Spirit had revealed to him that he would remain alive until the Messiah came, it should be no surprise Simeon was guided by the Spirit. The Holy Spirit had Simeon at the right place at the right time to encounter Jesus the Messiah. How many people passed Jesus and His parents that day with no recognition? The Holy Spirit made the difference in recognizing Jesus. He guided Simeon as he entered the temple. Mary and Joseph had gone to make their offering of purification for Mary after her childbirth. (See vv. 22-24.) Luke referred to both Mary and Joseph as Jesus’ parents. Joseph had determined to marry his betrothed wife and raise her child as his own, a task that began with naming and dedicating the child in the temple. The temple court was not the inner sanctuary where the holy place was located. It was the outer court where the couple could conduct the customary sacrifice. Two offerings would have been made for Mary after childbirth (see Lev. 12:6-8), a burnt offering and a sin offering. Normally the offering would have been a lamb and a dove, but Joseph and Mary obviously came from a humble state and offered either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. (See Luke 2:24.)
What are some promises we look forward to God fulfilling?
I. Because of Jesus, we can look forward in hope.
- Individuals who commit themselves to the ways of the Lord can expect to be blessed by Him.
- Spiritual truth comes as a revelation from the Spirit; we are not smart enough to figure it out for ourselves.
- The Lord is always at work to bring comfort, relief, and deliverance to His people during times of great trial and tribulation.
- Because of Jesus, we can look forward in hope at all times.
Luke 2:28-32
Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
RECAP: At that point, Simeon saw what others did not—salvation was not limited to one nation—so his words could also be viewed as a missionary hymn. The mission of the Messiah was to bring us all to God, and for that we can be eternally thankful.
Simeon felt his life was fulfilled when he encountered the Messiah. In what ways has your encounter with Jesus brought you similar satisfaction?
Luke 2:28-32 Commentary understand the prophecy contained in Simeon’s song.
[Verse 28] Simeon’s response upon seeing Jesus was that he took him in his arms. Simeon rejoiced that God had kept His promise to allow him to see Jesus with his own eyes. Like a priest, he took the child in his arms and began to pronounce a blessing over Him. Simeon also praised God. The Greek word is made up of two parts. The first part means good, and the second part means word. Put together, it means to speak a good word. Simeon’s blessing of Jesus was an act of worship on his part. It also turned out to be a prophetic word about Him. [Verse 29] The song or blessing begins with a word of relief—now (though English versions often do not put this word first). Simeon had awaited the coming of the Messiah, and it had finally happened. He addressed God with the term Sovereign Lord from the Greek word for despot. Unlike in English, this word did not carry connotations of an evil ruler. Rather, it emphasized the servant master relationship. Like a servant longing for release from his servitude, Simeon had felt the release of Messianic expectations. Simeon proclaimed that his Master could dismiss His servant in peace. To dismiss Simeon was to release him to death. He had fulfilled his purpose and now had nothing holding him back from meeting the Lord. He could die knowing God had done as He promised by keeping him alive until the coming of the Messiah. God had given him a specific word about seeing the Messiah. That word came to pass in the temple courtyard. He was ready to die because he had
seen the salvation of the Lord. [Verses 30-31] Simeon also saw the deeper plan of God—he had seen your salvation. His own Master was working for his release or redemption. He called this release salvation. To see Jesus is to see salvation that He embodies in His person and work. After declaring he had seen the salvation of the Lord, Simeon declared God had prepared that salvation for everyone. This word demonstrated God’s carefully orchestrated plan, perfect in scope and timing. (See Gal. 4:4.) God’s sovereignty had orchestrated all the events surrounding the Messiah’s coming to provide salvation to His people. God had prepared salvation in the sight of all nations. This expression was not new to Luke. Both Isaiah and the psalmist made similar statements: “The Lord will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God” (Isa. 52:10); “He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God” (Ps. 98:3). What God did was not in secret. [Verse 32] The coming salvation through the Messiah had two audiences. First, He is a light for revelation to the Gentiles. Salvation was more than a nationalistic hope for Israel. It was a light of revelation. The second audience was God’s people Israel. The glory of Israel was not their notion they were chosen to be better than other nations but that through Israel the Messiah would come into the world to drive away the darkness.
How has Jesus been a light for revelation for you personally?
II. Because of Jesus, we can know salvation.
- How blessed an experience it is when we receive what God promised.
- In Jesus, God’s salvation has come.
- Jesus came to bring salvation to all people.
- Jesus is the light of the world and the only One in whom we truly can glory.
Luke 2:33-35
The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
How does Jesus cause people to ‘fall and rise’?
How do you think Mary and Joseph felt as they listened to Simeon talk about Jesus?
What are some examples of how the truth of Christ exposes the hearts of people in our culture?
SUMMARIZE: Simeon highlighted three things that would result from the life of Jesus. Highlight the main points from page 55 of the PSG.
- Jesus would impact people’s destiny. “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel.” This phrase has to do with how we respond to the Messiah. People can be divided into two groups: Those who rise (individuals who accept Christ by faith, are lifted out of their sin, and enter heaven) and those who fall (people who reject Christ, remain in their unbelief, and fall into eternal punishment).
- Jesus would be opposed. This term refers not only to the verbal insults Christ would endure during His life and death, but also to the people’s hatred and rejection. Jesus would be “a sign” from God that many would reject.
- Jesus would reveal our thoughts. Through Christ’s ministry, teaching, and presence, the thoughts of many hearts were revealed—and still are today. Christ exposes us as we truly are. It’s natural to run from someone who will expose us. We don’t want our deeds to be found out. Humanity’s rejection of the Messiah would reveal the wicked state of our heart.
Luke 2:33-35 Commentary
[Verses 33-34] Mary and Joseph marveled at what was said about Jesus. Certainly, Simeon said some things worthy of amazement. But his words became even more astonishing. The previous verses had described who Jesus was. The next pronouncement would describe what He came to do. Simeon blessed the parents as well as Jesus with his words. He had blessed the child; now he extended that blessing to the whole family. However, it doesn’t look like a blessing at first glance. It contained some difficult words of prophecy, especially to Mary. One might wonder why he turned to her and omitted any specific words for Joseph. While some have argued this was because of Mary’s special relationship with Jesus as His mother, others have suggested it is because Joseph’s death would occur before the crucifixion. Simeon’s first specific word to Mary was that Jesus was destined for an important assignment. He explained Jesus would cause the falling and rising of many in Israel. This passage could have two interpretations and both would be legitimate. First, it could be referring to one group that falls (humbles itself) then rises. However, the second interpretation seems more likely. In this case, Jesus would be the watershed mark or fall line for all of Israel. Those who embraced Him and His teaching would rise. This is the usual word for resurrection. Those who rejected Him would fall over their own pride and ambition. No person would be able to take a neutral position toward Jesus—they align themselves either with Him or against Him. This seems to fit better with the next statement in the verse. Simeon called Jesus a sign that will be spoken against. Using a word so common to John’s Gospel, the sign was meant to save the lost, but others would reject the visible affirmation of God’s love and mercy. Jesus was the watershed between salvation and perishing. Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but those who do not believe in Him are condemned already. (See John 3:17-18.) Some experience salvation through Jesus and others stumble and fall. [Verse 35] While Simeon was addressing Mary, he emphasized that a sword would pierce her own soul as well. Greek had a word for a small dagger and one for a large sword. It is the latter that Simeon used. A large sword of sorrow would pierce Mary’s heart at the cross. In fact, the church has sometimes referred to Mary as the mother of sorrows for this reason, and she is often depicted in sadness in many paintings. Mary had to watch her own Son experience rejection and crucifixion. This would have certainly pierced her heart. Simeon included in the revelation that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. Only God sees the secret thoughts of people. However, through the coming of Jesus, those thoughts would be revealed as a division is made between those who serve Him and those who oppose Him. Jesus would not only divide the way time is kept on the calendar, but He would also divide the world into those who believe in Him and those who reject Him.
III. Some experience salvation through Jesus and others will stumble and fall over Him.
- We too marvel at who Jesus is and what He came to provide – salvation from sin.
- Every person must decide what they will do with Jesus; accept Him as Savior or reject Him as a fraud.
- Rejecting Jesus reveals the ugliness of our hearts and only confirms our need for a Savior.
Wrap It Up
None of us knows for sure how long we have left on this earth. But we do know that we have a sure hope when we trust in Jesus. And we have a responsibility to share that hope with others.
How many times since Christmas Day have you been asked – or asked – “Did you have a good Christmas?” “What did you get for Christmas?”
We want people to enjoy the season. And we assume gift-giving will be part of it, even implying that gifts go a long way in making Christmas good. Most people enjoying receiving gifts. As we mature, the joy is not so much what the gift is, but what the giver is saying to us in the giving. It is the thoughtfulness that went into the selection; the expression of love behind it. The same attitude ought to be behind the gifts we give to others.
If we were to ask Simeon if he had a good Christmas, he surely would reply, “The best!” And if we were to ask him what he got for Christmas, perhaps he would say; “I got the best gift ever! It was not only what I wanted, what I had been hoping for; it was exactly what I needed! God allowed me to see His salvation. He gave it to me because He loved me, but not just me, He provided it for all who would trust in Jesus, His beloved Son who came as our Blessed Savior. What could make for a better Christmas than that?”
How about you? Did you have a good Christmas? What did you get? I hope it was Jesus, of whom we sing “Israel’s strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth thou art; Dear desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.”
Why did you have a good Christmas?
How was Jesus part of it?
How does Jesus give you hope for today, tomorrow, and eternity?
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