“Then
when the days stipulated by Moses for purification were complete,
they took him [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to offer him to God as
commanded in God’s Law: “Every firstborn male shall be a holy
offering to God,” and also to sacrifice the “pair of doves or two
young pigeons” prescribed in God’s Law.
In
Jerusalem at the time, there was a man, Simeon by name, a good man, a
man who lived in the prayerful expectancy of help for Israel. And the
Holy Spirit was on him. The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would
see the Messiah of God before he died. Led by the Spirit, he entered
the Temple. As the parents of the child Jesus brought him in to carry
out the rituals of the Law, Simeon took him into his arms and blessed
God:
God,
you can now release your servant; release me in peace as you
promised. With my own eyes I’ve seen your salvation; it’s now out
in the open for everyone to see: A God-revealing light to the
non-Jewish nations, and of glory for your people Israel.
Jesus’
father and mother were speechless with surprise at these words.
Simeon went on to bless them, and said to Mary his mother,
This
child marks both the failure and the recovery of many in Israel,
A figure misunderstood and contradicted— the pain of a sword-thrust through you— But the rejection will force honesty, as God reveals who they really are.
A figure misunderstood and contradicted— the pain of a sword-thrust through you— But the rejection will force honesty, as God reveals who they really are.
Anna
the prophetess was also there, a daughter of Phanuel from the tribe
of Asher. She was by now a very old woman. She had been married seven
years and a widow for eighty-four. She never left the Temple area,
worshiping night and day with her fastings and prayers. At the very
time Simeon was praying, she showed up, broke into an anthem of
praise to God, and talked about the child to all who were waiting
expectantly for the freeing of Jerusalem.
When
they finished everything required by God in the Law, they returned to
Galilee and their own town, Nazareth. There the child grew strong in
body and wise in spirit. And the grace of God was on him."
Last
year when my sister called my parents to wish them a happy New Year,
my dad answered the phone. "Well, Dad, what’s your New Year’s
resolution?" she asked. "To make your mother as happy as I
can all year," he answered. In the background she heard mom
yell, “and I'm going to make sure he keeps that resolution!”
It
is the beginning of a New Year. Many people start the new year by
making some New Year Resolutions. Usually it is a promise to do
better next year than we did last year in some way. About 41% of
Americans make resolutions but approximately 80% of them fail by the
second week of February. The top ten resolutions for 2018 according
to research by the research institute Statistic Brain are: Find a
better job, Find the love of my life, Do more good deeds for others,
Learn something new, Work out more often, Spend more time with family
and friends, Do more exciting things, Quit smoking, Make better
financial decisions, Eat healthier and lose weight.
No
wonder the success rate is so low. These are some pretty ambitious
goals!
But
some people just don't take New Year's resolutions very seriously.
After all, they are just promises to yourself. If you don't follow
through, it's no big deal. Well, it is a big deal! A promise is a
promise -- and it is important to keep your promises -- even if it is
just a promise to yourself.
We
see in today's gospel lesson that God is always faithful in keeping
His promises. Simeon had lived in “prayerful expectancy” of the
Messiah. And he witnessed the fulfillment of that promise. Anna was
an elderly widow who had committed her left to constant worship,
fasting and prayer in the temple. These two encounters with the
infant Jesus (Leviticus 12 indicates this should take place 40 days
after birth for a male child) are life-changing for each of them –
although their reactions are different, it is clear that each of them
immediately senses that there is something unique about Jesus.
Something that connects with their very souls. Simeon gazes upon the
Christ child and proclaims that he can now die in peace. Anna breaks
into song!
Women
are far less represented in the Bible than men, especially women with
names. So whenever a woman with a name is part of the story, it is
important to pay attention. Now,
even though the Gospel of Luke has many women characters, as well as
many passages that deal with women, in a lot of examples Luke
presents women in parallel with a story about men. For example, in
chapter one, there is an annunciation to Zechariah followed by an
annunciation to Mary. In chapter seven, Jesus cures the dying son of
the Centurion, and then raises the deceased son of the widow of Nain.
In chapter eighteen there is a persistent widow paired with a humble
tax collector. Often these women do not speak, and if they do, we are
not privy to their actual words. Such is the case with Anna. But the
scripture is quite clear about the her reaction to encountering
Jesus. She responds by praising God. But she doesn’t just praise
God. Luke says she also speaks about her experience to others,
although he does not tell us what she said. He only describes her
words as being offered to those who were looking for the redemption
of Israel. In this way, Anna is the first evangelist in Luke. She is
the first to go out and speak to others that the Messiah has been
born!
Simeon's
response is different but incredibly powerful in its own way: first
he recognizes the fulfillment of God's promise. He had been led to
the Temple and the Christ child by the Holy Spirit and he is awed. He
speaks directly to God while gazing at the God Incarnate lying in his
arms. “I can die happy now, because you have done what you
promised. You have sent your salvation – for EVERYBODY!” And
Joseph and Mary are stunned. Somehow their cover has been blown. You
know they didn't check in at the temple front desk saying, “we're
here with the Messiah for his 40 day purification.” But Simeon
KNOWS. He doesn't have to be told who this is.
Simeon
blesses the astonished couple and addresses Mary – his next
sentences are pure prophesy. The New Revised Standard Version phrases
his proclamation this way: “This child is destined for the falling
and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be
opposed
so
that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will
pierce your own soul too.” Now replace the generic concept of the
people of Israel with
the rock solid concept of ALL PEOPLE. Jesus is going to cause some to
fall and some to rise. He will be opposed and the inner thoughts of
many will be revealed. Including your thoughts. Hear verses 34 and 35
again – this time from the King James Version: “Behold, this
child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for
a sign which shall be spoken against;
(Yea,
a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of
many hearts may be revealed.”
For
some, this is threatening. Imagine you are part of the religious
elite of that day. Your very comfortable lifestyle of temple priest
is built upon the structure of temple offerings, sacrifices, payment
for access to forgiveness and ritual purification. WE know the rest
of the story. We can see the foreshadowing of the next
chapter...Jesus is about to turn this old system on its head. And we
know that the religious establishment is not going to be happy with
this new system. After all, if the people get to be in direct
relationship with God...who is going to bring us lambs and calves and
pigeons and gold and robes? If the people get to seek forgiveness
from God, then I'm gonna be out of a job. AND, even more
important...if we are ALL loved by God then how will I qualify for my
super special snowflake bonus blessings? But on this 40th
day of Jesus' life, Simeon simply indicates that this baby is going
to shake the world up. Does he know that this baby will grow up to
heal the sick or feed over 5000 people with a few loaves and fishes?
Does Simeon's crystal ball reveal the scenes of the future? Jesus
calling fishermen and a tax collector and regular guys to be his
closest followers, Jesus by the well talking with a WOMAN who was a
known SINNER, Jesus flipping tables over in the temple, Jesus on
trial...
Simeon
may not have had the details, but he knew what was promised. He was a
righteous man and would have heard the words of the prophets in the
temple all his life. The words from Isaiah were familiar to him and
he was prepared for “my whole being shall exult in my God; for he
has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with
the robe of righteousness.” He knew “The nations shall see your
vindication, and all the kings your glory.” Simeon not only had
HEARD the words of promise, he was prayerfully EXPECTANT. He believed
this promise would come true.
Not
that this was necessarily what the world expected. Nope. Many
expected a powerful military leader to swoop in and reclaim lost
lands and territories. They thought the Messiah would save Israel by
might. Others might have expected some sort of high priest or
prophet. A mighty king would have fit the bill. A baby born in a
stable was not on anyone's radar. What kind of savior comes in such
humility? Crusaders in cradles? Nonsense.
But
we know...this truth is real. God came down to Earth to be WITH us.
To be our advocate, to be our friend, our guide, example. And it was
more radical than any warlord could ever hope to be.
Jesus
came to get us back to the original program. To get things back on
track, because humans had derailed this God-Man relationship train
pretty seriously. The Old Testament is one long saga of God's people
taking simple rules and complicating things. Garden of Eden? One
simple rule, don't eat from THAT tree. Give humans a little
time...FAIL. Ate from the tree, got kicked out of paradise. Later we
see the people of Israel freed from captivity in Egypt – one simple
rule, only gather enough manna for that day except when you get extra
for Sabbath. People of Israel can't listen...they gather too much,
and it gets worms! God gives Moses ten pretty simple rules...which he
has to do TWICE because the first time Moses brings the tablets to
the people he finds they've decided to worship a calf they made out
of gold. What the heck people of Israel?
Ten
commandments: Four are about our relationship to God. No other Gods
before me. No idols. No misusing my name. Remember the Sabbath and
keep it holy. The other six are about our relationship to others. One
thing to DO: Honor your parents. Five things NOT to do: murder,
commit adultery, steal, bear false witness or covet other people's
stuff. And what do the people of Israel do with that? Look for
loopholes and exceptions – so now we've got to define how to act in
every possible situation.
Many
years ago I was part of the staff of Lynchburg Cablevision, employed
at the public access station. Although there were just two of us
running Channel 6, we were part of the cable company staff and were
required to attend monthly meetings which included such thrilling
topics as how many truck rolls the repair crews had done and what
equipment was expected to be going out for the latest Pay Per View
wrestling extravaganza. Usually there were donuts, so I generally sat
quietly and behaved myself. One month we were given notice of a new
company policy handed down from Time Warner. It was now against
policy for there to be any alcohol on or in company buildings or
vehicles. Not a big problem...I rarely day drink on the job!
Seriously though, this just seemed like a quick FYI but the General
Manager asked if there were any questions. For 20 minutes the most
unusual and unlikely scenarios were tossed out. “What if I have
beer in my personal car?” “What if I want to brink someone a
bottle of wine as a birthday present?” “Since the GM drives a
company vehicle, does that mean you can't pick up a bottle at the ABC
store on your way home?” On and on – and if they had to write a
policy to spell it all out, it would span six pages and take fifteen
lawyers to review. Just don't drink alcohol when you're working and
driving our equipment would be too accusatory, I guess. Act like a
grownup who needs their job is clearly too unclear. Humans.
Jesus
came on to the scene and things were all tangled up. The law of Moses
had grown to include 613 commandments. 248 things TO do and a
whopping 365 to NOT do. This has drifted a long way from the original
program.
So
Jesus starts his ministry and Simeon's prophesy is coming true...this
sign is being opposed! He heals and the people in power want to know
by WHOSE authority he does such a thing. He socializes with commoners
and riff-raff, tax collectors, harlots, Samaritans... He talks of the
destruction of the temple. He tells rich people they've got to give
up their stuff. He suggests that a widows mite given with the right
attitude is worth much more than a pile of gold given with the wrong
attitude. Finally, somebody asks him what part of the law is the most
important.
Matthew
22:36-40 - “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
He
said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your
heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
This
is the greatest and first commandment.
And
a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
On
these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Ten
commandments become 613 do's and don'ts and Jesus takes it back down
to two. Love God. Love who and what God loves. Because if you love
God, you won't misuse his name, you won't want other idols, you won't
even be able to stop with Sabbath because your adoration of the One
is complete. And if you love who and what God loves, you'll naturally
honor your parents and those who are your earthly foundation. You
won't want to murder or steal or commit adultery and why covet their
stuff? If I love you – I want YOU to have your stuff!! And I can't
imagine bearing false witness...lying about someone who I love! It
just doesn't compute.
And
if that didn't simplify this God-Human relationship enough – after
the Last Supper, before Jesus offered himself up for us he gave his
disciples one more instruction. In John's Gospel – Judas has just
left the gathering and is headed to commit the ultimate betrayal,
offering up his teacher and friend to the religious leaders of the
day. Jesus addresses the rest of his inner circle, “Little
children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me;
and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going,
you cannot come.’
I
give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have
loved you, you also should love one another.
By
this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love
for one another.”
He says, okay boneheads...humans...just love each other, that will
make this work.
And
then the promise of salvation was fulfilled. Not in the way the world
would have expected it – some sort of battle victory, or a great
political coup or even a supernatural show of power like when Moses
and crew encountered God at Mt. Sinai. No, this promise was fulfilled
in the most humble way imaginable. Death. On a cross. Between two
thieves. And still, in the midst of that incredible suffering he
still showed the example of generosity and forgiveness... When
everyone else would have counted him out, the thief who repented was
assured that it was not too late. He would be with Jesus in paradise.
With God, it is never too late. He is patiently waiting for us to
turn back toward him.
You
see? He PROMISED! He'd never leave us or forsake us.
I'm
afraid that it is us who does the leaving. Thousands of years and we
humans....ah, me...we still get all cocky and say, God...I got this,
you can go worry about something else. Until we don't got it anymore
and we cry out “Where'd you go God? Why did you leave?” If I were
God, I'd smack us on the nose with a rolled up magazine. But God is
greater than that. He wipes away our tears and welcomes us back into
his presence.
What
about us? How are we doing at keeping our promises? Today at
Centenary six young men and ladies will be confirmed as members of
the body of Christ. Today they will be asked to make some promises.
They will have the opportunity to say that “Yes. I'm deciding this
is for me. I'm choosing to be a follower of Jesus Christ.” And
then, hopefully, they'll spend the rest of their lives figuring out
what that looks like. They may think that they are finally finishing
something – a confirmation class that began on Easter! - but in
reality, their journey is just beginning.
On
this dawn of a new year, this is a chance for us to renew our
promise. Are we ready to say – maybe for the first time, maybe for
the hundreth time – yes. I'm deciding this is for me. I'm choosing
to be a follower of Jesus. I'm going to do that by showing love to
everyone that I encounter. I accept the challenge of loving those who
act unlovable, and who I disagree with, and who are different from
me.
And
the kingdom of God will come upon the earth.
