Today we continue our Christmas series of sermons focusing on waiting on God’s timing. It is a series that will not only remind us of Jesus' birth but encourage us to keep our faith and not give up while we wait for the return of our Lord. The message this morning is from the Gospel of Luke chapter 2, concerning the time not long after the birth of Christ when Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the Temple to be presented.

Jewish families were required to complete several ceremonies after the birth of a child. Boys were circumcised on the eighth day (Leviticus 12:3), which represented their separation from Gentiles and their relationship with God. A firstborn son also must be presented to God in the Temple one month after birth.

When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple to be dedicated to God, an elderly man, Simeon, met them there and gave a prophecy about Jesus.

(Luke 2:25-35)

There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple complex. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for Him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said: 29 Now, Master, You can dismiss Your slave in peace, as You promised. 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation. 31 You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples— 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to Your people Israel. 33 His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and told His mother Mary: “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed — 35 and a sword will pierce your own soul— that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

The NIVAC says this about these verses. To see Jesus is to see God’s salvation. To see Jesus is to see God’s light and revelation. What Luke says here, John’s Gospel says this way: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” To see Jesus is to see God and his way revealed. Jesus is no longer visibly around so that we can look Him in the face, but He is in the world in His body, the place where He is pouring Himself to express His fullness (Ephesians 1:23).

In other words, as His Church, we get a chance to see Jesus when we have chances to serve. The way we talk about Him should reflect His hope. As an example, in (Matthew 25:40, 44-45), Jesus says that helping the poor is helping Him. Jesus would cater to these people if he were still here. But my friends, we get the chance to be the hands and feet of Jesus. There is no greater honor than to be used for God’s glory!

The man Simeon in this story wasn’t defined by the world and his own circumstances. He was defined by staying in and doing God’s will for his life. Sounds a lot like the Apostle Paul’s testimony in (Philippians 1:21-26) doesn’t it? Both men let God worry about their life and death.

But what is even more enlightening is the sense of peace Simeon had when he saw Jesus. After that nothing else mattered. He was ready to die. Again, the same is true for the Apostle Paul (Philippians 3:1- 12). He said that nothing else compared to knowing Jesus and serving Him. Serving and walking with the Lord is what must define every area of our lives. What does that mean though? Well, it doesn’t mean that every one of us is going to be called to do that same exact thing in life. Some of us will be preachers. Some will be teachers. Some will be prayer warriors. Maybe you are a great encourager and that is what God has called you to do; encourage. The attitude that Simeon had of being content in his life will help us to put all our situations and circumstances into perspective.

There is an article that ran in McCall’s magazine years ago that I believe is relevant today. It was called “Ten little health resolutions.” According to a Gallup poll, the top four resolutions that year were (1) improving personal finances (2) stopping smoking (3) losing weight, and (4) more exercise. This proves that people usually define contentment in a private way depending upon how their life is going. These goals have nothing to do with relationships with other people. But God has not created us to live as hermits and keep to ourselves. He created us for relationships. With Him first and to others. If our contentment is based on everything external in our life, we are setting ourselves up for disaster. Simeon says to know God is best.

His goal is to know God in a relationship that will last forever. Contentment means knowing the source of life who can help us see even beyond our death.