Grace Lutheran
Sunday 2024 Setting 1 December 1
      • Bible Trivia
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      • Exodus 13:1–15ESV

      • Colossians 3:12–17ESV

      • Luke 2:22–40ESV

  • O Come, All Ye Faithful

      • Psalm 111ESV

      • Psalm 111ESV

      • John 20:1–18ESV

      • Exodus 13:1–15ESV

      • John 20:1–18ESV

      • Colossians 3:12–17ESV

      • John 20:1–18ESV

      • Luke 2:22–40ESV

  • Title: The Consolation of Israel: Seeing Christ Clearly This Christmas

    Key Verse: Isaiah 9:6 – “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

    Anticipation Fulfilled

    There is nothing quite like the anticipation of Christmas morning. The excitement of children rushing to the tree, tearing into their gifts with joyful chaos. The nervousness of wondering whether your wife will like the present you bought her last minute on Christmas Eve. And of course, the small, practical joys—knowing that you’ll finally get to replace those socks and underwear that have been getting a bit too "holy," and not in the spiritual sense!
    We all love that sense of anticipation. But as exciting as Christmas morning can be, it pales in comparison to the anticipation that Simeon and Anna experienced as they waited for the true gift of Christmas: the Messiah, Jesus Christ. For centuries, God’s people had longed for the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” Today, as we look at Luke 2:22-40, we’ll see how Jesus fulfilled that promise and how His coming changes everything for us this Christmas and forever.

    I. Israel’s Missed Opportunity (Luke 2:22-24)

    Luke 2:22 ESV
    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
    Luke 2:23 ESV
    (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”)
    Luke 2:24 ESV
    and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
    Mary and Joseph obeyed God’s command, presenting Jesus at the temple as required by the Law (Leviticus 12:6-8). Even as a child, Jesus fulfilled the law for us. Galatians 4:4-5 reminds us: “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law.”
    In all of this I have often pondered why did many miss this monumental event in history? Save these few people Simeon and Anna?
    Why Did Israel Miss It? Matthew 13:15 gives us a hint at it: Matthew 13:15
    Matthew 13:15 (ESV)
    For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’
    their hearts had grown dull, their ears were closed, and their eyes were shut. The issue wasn’t a lack of information—Israel had the Scriptures pointing to Jesus. The problem was spiritual blindness, caused by sin and a reliance on their own understanding rather than God’s revelation.
    This always has presented a disturbing thought for me, what else could we miss, what could we read into scripture that we assume we know so well, or we get so caught up in our own ideas that we miss the what is happening right in front of us?
    Its like a person walking through a museum, surrounded by priceless masterpieces, but they only see the frames. They miss the beauty because they don’t know what to look for. That’s how Israel approached Jesus—they were expecting a political savior, not the suffering servant of Isaiah 53.
    ​

    II. Why Some Hear and Believe (Luke 2:25-35)

    As we come to this story we first see Simeon.
    Simeon was different. The text tells us he was “righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” By the Spirit’s revelation, Simeon recognized Jesus as the Messiah.
    There is our second hint as to why some see and some do not, the revelation by the Holy Spirit. Unless the Holy Spirit works your eyes will remain closed and you will never understand or see, your heart will remain dull. Often the next question then how do I know that the Holy Spirit, has or is working in my life. Simple you are here aren’t you, but I don not feel it I often hear, let me repeat this again you are hear, listen to the word that is spoken, you are saved by grace through faith. Grace given by God through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
    The Gospel Opens Blind Eyes The difference between Simeon and the crowds in Israel was not about intellect or effort—it was about the work of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:14 reminds us, “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”
    Simeon’s ability to see Jesus as the Savior was a gift from God, just as our faith today is a gift of grace.
    Application: The same gospel that opened Simeon’s eyes works in us today. It’s not our own wisdom or effort that allows us to see Jesus—it’s the Spirit revealing the truth.

    III. Why Many Still Miss It Today (Luke 2:36-38)

    Anna also saw Jesus clearly and responded with worship and evangelism. But just as many in Israel overlooked Jesus, so do many today.
    Then the third problem, people are often deceived. This happens when false voices come in, discernment is lacking because people do not know the word, to recognize falsehood and so they are easily led astray.
    The Barrier: A False Gospel The real gospel declares that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. But many miss it because they’ve bought into a false gospel:
    In Galatians we are warned about this,
    Galatians 1:6–8 ESV
    I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.
    Paul doesn’t mince words, he calls it out as we should to those who would bring a false gospel or preach falsehood. They often look like these:

    The Gospel of Works: “If I’m good enough, God will accept me.”

    The Gospel of Self: “I don’t need a Savior—I can handle life on my own.”

    The Gospel of Prosperity: “If God loves me, He’ll make my life easy and successful.”

    ​
    These false gospels blind people to the truth of who Jesus is and what He has done.
    Illustration: Imagine someone opening a beautifully wrapped gift, only to focus on the box instead of the treasure inside. That’s what happens when people hear a distorted version of the gospel—they miss the real Jesus.
    Again though I say do not worry about these and they way that they come, rather focus on the real thing, know it so well that when they come knocking or your door, when they catch you at the Birkie on the street corner, or may the Lord forbid even preach it from a pulpit I pray that you can recognize it. It is simple to spot and it is by knowing the truth. The truth spot an error miles away, the same way a bank tell can tell a counterfeit the minute is passes through their hands.

    IV. The Gospel Does It All

    The good news of the gospel is that it doesn’t depend on us. Just as Simeon and Anna were guided by the Spirit, so too does the gospel reveal Jesus to us today.
    How Does the Gospel Reveal the Truth?

    It Exposes Our Need: Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

    It Declares God’s Gift: John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son.”

    It Opens Our Eyes: Ephesians 2:8 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

    I would also say Titus 3 as well.
    Again while these list may help get you thinking, pay attention to one thing about them counter to the false gospels, the voice of who is saying them, the false gospel always point you inward to look at yourself, to see if there is something good in you something worthy, where the truth always points to Jesus, scripture pointing to the truth of God’s word. The word that became flesh and dwelt among us.

    Conclusion: Seeing Jesus Clearly

    The question of why some hear and others don’t comes down to this: the gospel reveals the truth, and faith is a gift of God. Simeon and Anna remind us that when the Spirit opens our eyes, we see Jesus for who He truly is—the Savior of the world.
    This Christmas, don’t miss the real gospel. Let it open your eyes, stir your heart, and lead you to worship the greatest gift of all: Jesus Christ.
    This Christmas, let’s remember what Isaiah 9:6 proclaims: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise—a child born to save us, a Son given to redeem us, and the Prince of Peace who reigns forever.
    Like Simeon and Anna, may we see Christ clearly this Christmas and respond with faith, gratitude, and joy. Let us share the good news of His love with others and live in the peace only He can give.
    ​

      • Luke 2:22ESV

      • Luke 2:23ESV

      • Luke 2:24ESV

      • Galatians 1:6–8ESV

  • Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
  • What Child Is This (Greensleeves)
  • Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
  • Joy To The World

      • Isaiah 9:6ESV

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