I invite you to turn in your Bibles this morning that are in front of you to the Gospel of Luke, the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, verses 25 through 35 this morning. And then on Christmas Day, I have planned to take up the next emphasis here. Luke does things in pairs, so he has Simeon and then he has Anna right after, and I've never really considered Anna, so we will consider Anna on Christmas Day. This morning I'd like to look, have another fresh look at Simeon. So this is Luke 2, verse 25 through 35, this is the word of the Lord. 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. 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. 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, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace according to your word. For my eyes have seen your salvation, that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for the glory of your people Israel. And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 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. and a sword will pierce through your own soul also, so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed. And there is the reading of God's Word. Well, one of the beautiful things to look at as we come to this season, and there are all sorts of Christmas messages being preached, is to consider some of the highlights and spotlights that the Lord gives us when we look at certain figures in the Scripture at the coming of the Savior. They really do help us in many ways to understand what a waiting people and a people who are watching for the Lord's coming, what they look like. You think of these psalms that we have said and we have sung for all of these years, wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart. Wait on the Lord, I say. Wait. That's, for some people, a long wait. and a struggle isn't it in this life of waiting on him and we wonder is the lord ever going to answer us the revelation calls this the patient wait of the saints that's important that the lord calls us to be patiently waiting as a people you think of other verses such as what uh james says therefore be patient brethren until the coming of the lord the god of all grace who called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you've suffered a little while, shall himself perfect, strengthen, and establish you. Those are the wonderful promises to those who wait. Do you feel a longing, though, at times for this all to end? I think that's a really important question to ask in light of this. Do you feel the longing ever for all of this to end? Do you ever say, enough is enough? I saw blasphemous things this week of a Netflix series that is just attacking our Savior with every kind of perversity that you could do in this life. Saying harsh things about Him. Attributing harsh things to Him. Do you say enough is enough? When do you say it? Do you ever say it? Are you tired of the hate? Are you tired of the separation, the division, the misery, the darkness? That's all bad enough, but I think most of all, are you sick of sin? Are you weary of the fight? Are you tired of what seems to be little progress? There does come a point in the Christian life that we get here. Some are not there yet, but we move there. Maturity moves us there. Christian maturity moves us there in great ways. And the release from all of this begins to be really welcomed. The release begins to be really welcomed. And that's the point at which the Lord is working and the Lord desires to bring us to in this life. I don't know if we think enough about this. That's why most of us are very uneasy in this life. That's why most of you face a lot of conflict in your life. That's why most of you face a lot of pain in your life. Because the Lord is not letting you rest well here. And we always are praying that the Lord would take it all away. We're always praying that the Lord would make it better so that we would coast into heaven on couches, right? Well, the Lord is bringing us to this kind of place in life. This is His work. That's why if you're a believer, you'll never really rest very easy in this life. He may give his beloved sleep. You may get good night's sleep, but tomorrow comes a new set of problems, doesn't it? This is why I love studying Simeon. I think Simeon is so incredibly helpful for us. He is just a special case in the birth narratives here. A gift himself for us to study and see what being ready for the Lord looks like. And that's kind of the theme today. I thought, at this time of year, it's always good to put together these themes, the first coming and the second coming, and we'll do that tonight. But in this way, Simeon really does apply to both situations. Simeon is incredibly helpful for us, and I want you to see that as here, we're going to look at his weight, his patient weight, his release, and then his prophecy that he gives. I'm spending a lot of time on the first point, since I believe sermons are meant to be exercises in teaching you how to wait. You should be laughing at that. The waiting is important here, very important. In verse 25, we read that there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. And that this man was just, you'll notice there, it says, and devout. This man was righteous and devout. This is meant for you to understand that just as you read it. There's no need of explaining that away. He is represented as an upright saint before the Lord. He is represented as one who put the Lord first in life. He is represented as one who, yes, is a sinner. That's not the issue that we're dealing with right now. One who shows us priorities. And it's meant to be a massive encouragement to us. It's meant to have the effect of he and Anna, wow, I would love to aspire to be like both of them in the temple day and night praying. And we'll look at that on Christmas Day. There are many saints in the scriptures that are put before us like this. In fact, Paul told us even in life, in the life of the church, in the life of the Escondido URC, you should look at life this way. You should look at saints like this. He said, join together in following my example, brothers and sisters and just as you have us as a model keep your eyes on those who live as we do so that means there are particular saints in this place that are set out as models for us as helps to us whom the lord has greatly progressed in this life and sanctification whom the Lord has really helped in this life and sanctification. And that is why some of these older saints live a long time. They're meant for us to look at. They're meant for us to study. That's how I felt with Elko the other day. That's why it was so emotional for me. It doesn't have to just be an older person. It's maturity in the faith. And that's why Simeon is so important. The Lord puts these saints in front of us by grace and essentially observe their righteousness. Observe it. Study them. Look at them. They're helps to you. That was always His intention in leaving. And some of the dear old saints live a long time and wonder why. I'm telling you now why. Because my priorities and our generation's priorities are not often very good. Well, one of the great shining figures in this way is Simeon. Great help to us. We hear here that the Holy Spirit himself had enlightened Simeon. The Holy Spirit had done something for Simeon. He was an object of the Spirit's work in stirring up his heart. And what you'll notice that it says is that the Spirit had revealed to him that he would not taste death until the coming of Jesus, the Messiah. So what we read is that he is waiting for the consolation of Israel. What makes him so interesting is, and this is also part of the great encouragement here, is that this is not most likely a royal figure. This is not a great figure. This is what we would consider a layman in Israel. The faithful church grower who comes up to the house of the Lord with Bible in hand every week who doesn't seem very great. Who doesn't seem very observed. Who seems to be a nobody. The text tells us that Simeon was waiting for the consolation of Israel. I don't think you can overlook that statement. It's a wonderful little statement. Simeon helps us because, especially when you know the background and have a little bit of history here, that there was this period between the Old and the New Testaments, this period of time of what everyone knows was the silent period. The period when the Lord didn't seem to be doing much. The period when the Lord didn't seem to be speaking very much. The period when generation after generation after generation it seemed that the Lord was no longer there. And the people did not hear from him. And great darkness had fallen on the people. That's what we read. I was going to read Isaiah 60. I read Isaiah 61, but that's what Isaiah 60 says. Great darkness had fallen on the people before this light came. Now, most scholars recognize that there was a sort of Messiah consciousness at this time. That people thought and anticipated the coming in Israel of the Messiah. But the expectations were all wrong. Oh sure, there was messianic expectation. In other words, there are expectations of a great political leader who would come and help them and rescue them and save them from Rome. This is important for us. Because what that produced was a coldness of expectation for the Messiah to come and do what the Old Testament said He would do. Deliver them from their sins. deliver them from their sins that was absent from them political restoration was all they talked about and i think you see the connection today don't you i don't think you can miss the connection today as we wait for the second coming we are so concerned about political repair that's all we ever talk about. That's all that's on our hearts and minds is political repair in this country. We expect a remedy for this. And I tell you what, I've never seen more experts on this ever than in our day. We talk more about President Trump than Jesus. Did you know that? Christians. On both sides of wherever you are. Christians have been caught up in wrong looking. We are more emotionally wound up right now about the restoration of the U.S. than we are about the second coming of Jesus. And shame on us for it. And yet how dark things are. How dark things are right now. Look at the evil. Look at the darkness. What concerns us most? Look at the state of the church. Look at the state of the culture. Jesus said, before He comes, because lawlessness will be so normalized, many people's love will grow cold. They're not watching. They're not waiting. And yet we feel the same thing. Where is God? Where is He? He seems to be hiding right now. He seems to be completely absent right now from all of this. He doesn't seem to be answering much prayer, does he? And it really does feel like the church is being overrun and overcome with a bunch of people who don't care anymore. Have we given up? Have we stopped looking? Have we stopped anticipating? I think all this challenges us with that, don't you think? Very much so. Are we really looking for Christ to come in eager anticipation and expectation that he's going to come and he's going to make all this good to put an end to the sorrows and sadnesses that we're all experiencing. You realize how alike the situations are in comparison. We need some simians. We need some simians. Now, this is the environment. That's a little bit of the history and a little bit of the context here. the Holy Spirit had set apart this layman to show you what true celebration of what we call Christmas or true celebration of what we're truly waiting for what it looks like and what we ought to aspire to and this is beautiful in that word in in this way because it says that he was waiting for the consolation of Israel the comfort is what that means the scriptures had prophesied this the scriptures have told this in Isaiah 40 comfort comfort you my people speak peace to Jerusalem he will put away your sorrow and and he will free you from your misery what the Holy Spirit had shown him is that in his lifetime this comfort would come and that he would not taste death until he held this comfort beheld it And now you see, a little title of comfort or consolation of Israel is really a title for Jesus himself. It's a title of comfort. This was God's answer to the problem of the misery that we're in. This is God's answer to the pain and the suffering and the darkness that has invaded our world and our hearts. Simeon said to the Spirit, You will not taste death until you see and behold the comfort of Israel. So Simeon here is set before us in this special way to be this waiting saint who through this life of tribulation and struggle wants release, is going to get release and anticipating release. So this is what we have, and the Psalms always captured this for us when we sing something like, I have waited for the Lord more than they who watch for the morning. Here you see fulfillments of that. This is what it looks like, Psalm 130. So the burden and desire here, the burden of his heart, he was waiting for the day that the king would come upon the earth and the light would shine in the darkness, and he believed it. Revelation describes it as here is the call for the patience of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write this. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Blessed indeed, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors for their deeds follow them. Spirit saying that. He wanted comfort and he wanted release, this Simeon. You ever thought that ultimately that is exactly what we're waiting for right now? We are waiting for the Lord of glory to return in all of his radiance, in all of his power, and out of this period of darkness and silence and come and make every injustice in this sad world right and save all of his people, taking them to a place that he has promised will be a brand new earth. The apostle said it's so glorious, I can't even describe it. All wrongs will be made right. The unrighteous will be judged who've persecuted. Those who have trusted in Jesus will go to an immediate place in the presence of God in the new heavens and the new earth where righteousness shall dwell. God promises you no more sin. No more tears. No more death. No more pain. You would think that if Christ has promised us that, churches would be full if we believed it. Prayer would be the single great reason we would come to church, really. To gather around and call out upon the name of the Lord and then receive His Word. The Christian life, the Christian life is eager, anticipating, and waiting. It's a waiting life on the Lord to do what He said He would do. Understand that. The Christian life is this eager waiting upon the Lord, believing that He will do what He said He'll do. That's what the life of faith is. He has told you he is going to do wonderful things for you and that full victory over sin and a brand new life. Alternative, here's your alternative. Eat, drink, and be merry. Live your blessed life with no faith for tomorrow you die. That's your alternative. And there's much more beyond death we'll look at. But here's the encouragement. We read in verse 26 that the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. So Simeon comes by the Spirit into the temple and the parents here have brought in the light of Israel. They brought in the child Jesus to do for him according to the custom of the law. We read the most amazing, I think, scene presented to us in the scriptures, a scene of difficult to even grasp. It's so beautiful. We read that in this grand scene, all of these years of wait, probably a very old man here, in the last years of life, waiting for his deliverer, he holds God incarnate in his arms. He takes up the God-man in his arms. The one through whom everything was made. The eternal word made flesh. The Son of God, full of grace and truth. The Spirit says, there He is. Take Him. Behold Him. Take Him in your arms. Simeon knew Isaiah 53. Simeon knew that one day this child would grow and hang from a cross and that He would bear all of His sin and misery and that by Him all of His stripes would be healed. That He would carry upon His back every lawless deed that He had ever done. And who had come to do this? My eyes have beheld God's Savior. Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth and deep darkness the people. But the Lord will arise over you and his glory will be seen upon you. And the Gentiles shall come to your light and kings to the brightness of your rising. Here's what it's all about. This is what it's all about. This is what our faith is all about. This is what Christianity is. God's answer to our ruin. Who would have thought it? The one whose goings forth are from everlasting. Taken into the arms of a needy sinner. And there's your image. From the Word. You know what he says? Now, verse 29. you are letting me die. Now you're letting your servant depart in peace according to your word for my eyes have seen your salvation. Lord, you are setting free your bond slave to depart in peace to die. This child's descent would mean that the power of death would be broken for him. This is why the Heidelberg is so right on when it says you know what why if we have jesus and he's done all this do we have to die the framers understood this is exactly what has happened because of that our death does not pay the debt for our sins rather it puts an end to our sinning and is our immediate i'll add entrance into eternal life. That's what he's saying here. I've seen him. Now I am released to know that when I die, that's where I go. He was free. He was free. This is such a powerful moment. Isn't this the whole gospel story? Think about the fear we all carry around. Think about what we're all trying to avoid right now. What we're all trying to avoid right now is one thing. Death. Why? And I'm not being morbid here. I don't think we should run around looking for it. But why are we afraid of it anymore if we believe this? It's the fear, of course, of the process. I understand that. But think of the two perspectives here. Here's a well-known atheist who lives this life and this is what he thinks. And he's dead wrong. Death is certain. This is him. Life on this earth with all of its mystery and beauty and pain is then to be lived far more intensely. We stumble and get up. We are sad, confident, insecure, feel loneliness and joy and love. There's nothing more, but I want nothing more. What a sad, sad life. And dead wrong. He can't explain away or wish away what's coming for that kind of heart. Here's Simeon. In total contrast to that. Now I can die. Now I can go. Now I'm ready. I am free to go be with the Lord. Lord, you are letting your servant depart in peace. I die in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation that you've prepared in the presence of all peoples, the light for the Gentiles. I'm ready. Take me any time. Simeon is holding the mediator. this is not just a special revelation to simeon today this is why i started with the examples that are set before us it's the release he gives you before death hear me it's the release he gives you now before death the holy spirit will not let us leave life until we have seen jesus that's what's beautiful here the holy spirit will not let you you know my children know this if you were to ask my children you know i really have told them around the table i don't i don't care about the success of their life i don't care if they make a lot of money i actually think that would be bad for them i don't care how great a name they have i definitely don't want them in hollywood i definitely don't want them being successful according to any kind of worldly way I don't want, I don't wish any of that on them. But here's what I wish. They know, you could ask them, what is the one thing that I always press them with that they will not leave this life until they have Christ. That's number one. That you will not leave this life until you have believed in him. And if that is what my children have believed, And if that is what has been accomplished, then I am the happiest saint ever. That's what I'm going to push them to. If you have Christ, you're ready to die. And guess what? Here's the strange twist in that. It's then that you're truly living. It's then that you're truly living. One of the saints came up to me here. She said, Pastor, I'm ready to die. He can take them anytime He wants. That's the example I need. If you're ready to die, you are only really ready to die because you have taken up Christ into your hearts by faith and seen the same thing. But here's the strong prophecy at the end today. And I think so important for us. We read in verse 33 that Joseph and Mary marveled at these things and that moves Simeon to a final blessing where he says in verse 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 and a sword will pierce through your own soul also so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed. What a prophecy. Mary, this is going to be really hard for you. a sword's going to go through your heart as a mother. You're not going to fully grasp this until this all happens. And afterward, you'll see your son's going to die. Imagine hearing that. But here's what you need to know. This child's death is the divider of mankind. And the purpose is that God will be revealing hearts through Him he says he is destined for the fall and rise of many in israel here's how this is going to play out mary his name is going to be proclaimed to the end of the earth and by the way i always say this but i hope you see it here we are 2019 still proclaiming this name there's no other name given where this has gone on like this right now his name still proclaimed the name of jesus lord of all the christ the messiah he's going to die and he's going to rise again and this child will be a great problem for this world many will bow their lives bow their hearts of faith and believe in him and come to him and be saved from the wrath to come but he is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense here's the truth of what will happen many will not this is what's happening right now on this day the Lord made, right at creation He had set it apart, a Sabbath of rest. And what is happening? People are either gathering together to worship the risen Christ or they're doing whatever they want to do. You will either come to the light, you will behold the light in your heart, or you will play the part. But God is a heart reader. God is a heart reader. I don't have to go around figuring that out, but God does. That's the one that matters. And people may cover up the status of their hearts, but when Jesus is made known, like right now, either hearts are being received, hearts are being opened and receiving the Messiah, or it means nothing to you. He sees all. He is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel. And the one having fallen on this stone will be broken, but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder. That's why the most important issue of the season is what you do with Jesus. It always is, and of your whole life. Everything about this life goes in one direction or the other two destinies are here represented, all having to do with what your heart does with Jesus. He is the only way of peace. He is the only way of salvation. There is no other way. In a world of sadness, in a world of bondage, think about what you've been given today. Think about it. He is coming soon. I say that emphatically. He is coming soon. And he's putting an end to all of this. And it's going to all be brand new. The devil wants nothing more for you today. He's got a good plan for your life. The devil wants nothing more for you today than to face the discouragement, the impatience, and the restlessness to overcome you so that you don't see Jesus. But I think you've seen him. The Holy Spirit has shown you something today. Just like he showed Simeon years ago. He has shown you the Christ. And he has told you everything you need to know. If you have seen him, you too, hear me today. If you believed in him, you too, like Simeon, are ready to depart in peace. To know that when you die, your father will receive you in peace and in happiness. So I say today, look to Jesus. Believe in the Son. Wait on the Lord. Be of good courage and He shall, He will strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word this morning and for the consolation that You give us of peace and an answer in this sad world. May, Lord, as the Word went out today and Your Son was proclaimed, every heart today in this place prepare Him room and receive Him as Savior who saves us from all of our sins. Thank You for giving us these examples and thank You for these examples in front of us in this church who show us the same thing all the time. Thank You that they are a blessing to us. Forgive us, Lord, that our lives are often so worldly full with worry and struggle and sin that we lose sight of the most important things. Help us, Lord, and be merciful to us. And may your patience be shown as we exercise the patient weight of the saints. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.