Salvation for All - Luke 2:21-38 - December 31, 2006

Sunday school Lesson - Salvation For All - December 31, 2006

This is our final lesson in our series "Life-Changing Gifts."

Our background scripture is Luke 2:21-40.

I am still haveing computer problems. Hopefully by next week they will be corrected.

Last Sunday we studied the events GOD used to get Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Bethlehem is about eighty-ninety miles from Nazareth. It is interesting that Doctor Luke tells us that the couple went up to Bethlehem the ancestral home of King David. In fact from Nazareth to Bethlehem there is a change of about 700 feet in sea level. It is about five (5) miles from Bethlehem to Jerusalem.

GOD guided Mary and Joseph to the exact area to fulfill the scripture and to locate them such that JESUS would receive all the rites required by the Jewish Law given by GOD. I say as given by GOD because the Jews had added other requirements to be followed which was not part of the GOD'S requirements.

Have you ever wondered why you live in a certain area? Do you think GOD has a plan for your life in the place HE has led you? Or that HE is leading you to relocate? As a Christian, GOD has a plan and a purpose for our lives. What HE wants and needs is our obedience to follow and serve HIM.

There are times we look back to see how GOD has directed our lives through circumstances. I don't think Mary and Joseph were conscience of the fact GOD was leading them to be at a certain place at a certain time. But HE was. GOD led Mary and Joseph to the exact place HE wanted them to be. HE wanted them in Bethlehem and near Jerusalem. HE gives them assurances along the way to confirm they are in the place GOD wanted them to be - shepherds - angels - the events in today's lesson.

Let's read Luke 2:21-24:

21. When the eight days were completed for His circumcision, He was named JESUS-the name given by the angel before He was conceived.[11] 22. And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23. (just as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every firstborn male[12] will be dedicated[13]to the Lord[14]) 24. and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons[15]).

JESUS was circumcised on the eighth (8th), as the law requires.

Let's read Luke 2:25-32:

25. There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel's consolation,[16] 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[17] the o 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 o slave in peace, according to Your word. 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[18] [19]and glory to Your people Israel.[20]

If JESUS had been born in Nazareth the family would have been a long way from the temple located in Jerusalem. GOD led them to be near Jerusalem to: (1) fulfill the ceremonies required by the Jewish Law (2) Introduce HIS ONLY SON the Messiah (3) The Jewish leaders of all people should have been eagerly expecting the arrival of the Messiah. (4) GOD revealed the arrival of the Messiah to the shepherds, the Magi, Simeon and Anna.

The Priests at the temple in Jerusalem would perform the necessary ceremonies but they were oblivious to the arrival of JESUS. GOD reveals and the fact GOD did not reveal the arrival of the Messiah to the spiritual leaders shows their hearts were not in tune with GOD. JESUS is acknowledged by the humble of heart, those who had committed their lives to worship the true GOD - Simeon and Anna. It is all about having the right relationship with GOD through CHRIST. We are all called to the relationship with HIM. It is through the relationship with HIM that HE reveals to us spiritual truth. We can be called into a special ministry but we must have and maintain the relationship to be effective.

These are the rituals required by the Jewish Law as described in the Old Testament:

1. The baby had to be circumcised on the eighth (8th) day and at that time the baby would be named. Circumcision symbolized the Jews unique relationship with GOD and their separation from the Gentiles.

2. When the firstborn son was a month old his parents presented him to GOD in a ceremony. The ceremony was to acknowledge that their firstborn son belonged to GOD. GOD is the giver of all life and they were in essence buying back or redeeming their son from GOD with an offering. The cost of redeeming the firstborn is five (5) shekels.

3. Purification of the mother followed. The mother was considered ceremonially unclean for 40 days after the birth of a son and unclean for 80 days after the birth of a daughter. At the end of these days, the parents would bring an offering to temple and give it to the priest. The requirement was a lamb for a burnt offering and a dove or pigeon for a sin offering. If the lamb was too expensive then the parents could bring a second dove or pigeon instead. The Priest would sacrifice these animals and declare the mother to be clean. This is significant because the scripture tells us that Mary and Joseph brought "a pair of doves or two young pigeons." This meant Mary and Joseph were poor but obedient to the law.

4. JESUS obeyed the law and fulfilled the law. Because HE is sinless, HE became the perfect sacrifice to pay the penalty for the sin of all mankind.

It seems that Mary and Joseph were accomplishing two (2) things at once -- (1) the redemption of the firstborn (2) Mary's purification. This was 40 days after the birth of JESUS.

As the events of our lesson unfold. Doctor Luke describes Simeon as a "righteous and devout" man who was looking forward to the coming of the Messiah. The HOLY SPIRIT revealed to him that he would not die until he saw the promised Messiah. Notice the HOLY SPIRIT "revealed" to him. Simeon was expecting to see the Messiah before he died.

It is the same today. It is all about our relationship with our SAVIOR and LORD, WHO reveals to us today the things of the SPIRIT. Simeon was guided to Mary, Joseph and JESUS, by the HOLY SPIRIT at the exact moment they entered the temple complex. When the SPIRIT leads us and we are obedient to the SPIRIT, timing is precise and critical. As a result Simeon's heart's desire was fulfilled. He saw the promised Messiah! Simeon had to respond to the prompting of the SPIRIT. If he had not responded he would have missed the one thing he desired most before he died. Simeon was eagerly seeking this day.

We should, also, be eagerly seeking the return of our LORD and eagerly seeking to do HIS will as we wait upon HIS return. This was a very special event in the life of Simeon and another confirmation to the parents of JESUS of the uniqueness of JESUS and HIS mission.

Simeon reveals his relationship to GOD by referring to himself as a slave of GOD. He praises GOD and responds with great joy for the opportunity for him to see the Messiah. Simeon reveals that JESUS is the Messiah for all peoples - Jews and Gentiles. This was truly a spectacular revelation because the Jews thought they were the primary beneficiaries of the coming Messiah.
Let's read Luke 2:33-35:

33. His father and mother[21] 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[22]- 35. and a sword will pierce your own soul-that the thoughts[23] of many hearts may be revealed."

Mary and Joseph are amazed at what Simeon was saying. Then Mary heard the words that must have perplexed her. Your son will cause the fall and rise of many in Israel. HE will be opposed and a sword will pierce your soul. JESUS will force the Jews to make a choice about HIM. The Jews innermost thoughts will be revealed by the way they choose.

Is JESUS the true Messiah? Will the Jews accept HIM or will they reject Him?

We have the same choices today. Do we accept HIM as SAVIOR and LORD or do we choose to reject HIM? Is HE truly THE SON OF GOD? Did HE live upon earth, live a sinless life, and die upon the cross to sacrifice Himself for the penalty of sin? To show that HE is WHO HE said HE was, did HE conquer death? Did GOD the FATHER confirm the fact that JESUS had fulfilled all the requirements for the forgiveness of sin by raising HIM from the dead? If you answered yes to these questions, then ask JESUS to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life now! What a way to begin a New Year! Join the family of GOD through the miracle of rebirth.

Let's read Luke 2:36-38:

36. There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years,[24] having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,[25] 37. and was a widow for 84 years.[26] She did not leave the temple complex, serving God night and day with fastings and prayers. 38. At that very moment,[27] she came up and began to thank God and to speak about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.[28] [29]

Then enters a second confirmation for Mary and Joseph, Anna a prophetess. Anna is the daughter of Phanuel (fuh NYOO uhl). Phanuel means "face of GOD" and he is of the tribe of Asher. Asher is one of the ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom which the Assyrians took into exile 722-721 BC. Since Anna is a woman, Doctor Luke likely give her fathers credentials to show that she is a firm Jewish lady in her faith in GOD.

Anna has some age on her. She was married for seven (7) years and a widow for eighty-four (84) years. That alone will place her at ninety-one (91) years old. So she is likely at least 100+ years old.

Anna was at the church every time the doors opened. There is no evidence that she literally lived at the temple. She was in a constant state of fasting and prayer, which demonstrates her commitment and devotion to GOD.People in the temple knew of Anna's relationship with GOD and respected her.

The phraseology in verse 38. indicates that she continued to speak to all who were in the temple and who were also looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem by the promised Messiah. This verse also refers back to verse 25. regarding Israel's consolation.

Anna is another confirmation to Mary and Joseph that JESUS has a very special mission at the direction of GOD.Both Simeon and Anna were senior adults and had a vibrant relationship with GOD.

As we age, we should be drawn into a more intimate loving relationship with GOD our FATHER through JESUS.

The HOLY SPIRIT is just as active today as HE was then. Committ your life to HIM and serve HIM.