July 12, 2010
first responder
Luke 2:21-40
David Morrison
Central Truth
Responding to Christ is an everyday thing.
Key Verse | Luke 2:35
". . . to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed." (Luke 2:35b)
Luke 2:21-40
21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Jesus Presented at the Temple
22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29
“Lord, now you are letting your servant
1
2:29
Or bondservant
depart in peace,
according to your word;
30
for my eyes have seen your salvation
31
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. 2 2:37 Or as a widow for eighty-four years She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The Return to Nazareth
39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
Dive Deeper | Luke 2:21-40
I’m a poor responder. Weird sounds at night, my wife’s request for my attention, and the really slow driver in front of me in traffic: it doesn’t really matter what it is, I tend to respond slowly, selfishly, and with a bit of anger. If I were a firefighter or paramedic, this city would be in a heap of trouble.
Luke 2:21-40 is about how we respond to Christ. Simeon and Anna responded well. They praised God, found joy in a long-awaited Savior, and blessed Mary and Joseph. But there is an interesting phrase in verse 35 (NIV): “the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.” Simeon basically predicts, prophecies, or describes what Jesus’ ministry will be like. He will be a stumbling block to some and salvation to others, but He will expose all of our hearts. Some will respond well to that exposure, and some will respond poorly. Do we love self, comfort, ease, family, and tradition—or will we recognize our Savior and respond properly (like Simeon and Anna) with praise and thanksgiving?
And it’s not just about our initial response. I think I let myself off the hook when I read stuff like Luke 2. I think, “Oh, I responded to Christ when I was nineteen and put my trust in Him. Now we’re good, I’m on the winning team.” But that attitude is just as ridiculous as me telling my wife that I don’t need to respond to her requests, conversations, interests, or needs today because I told her “I do” six years ago.
I respond to Christ every day, one way or another, and I need His grace to respond well.
Discussion Questions
1. How have you responded to Christ?
2. Is there anyone you know who needs to be given the opportunity to respond for the first time?
3. How can you respond to Christ uniquely today?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Who are the three persons of the Trinity?
2. Who told Simeon that he would see Jesus before he died (Luke 2:26)? Who led Simeon into the temple that day (verse 27)?
3. Who did Simeon believe the baby was (verse 30)? Whom did Simeon praise (verse 28)? Isn’t it wonderful to begin to see that God is three persons who work together to reveal Jesus as our way to have a relationship with God.