Last week we learnt about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, the town of David. The shepherds made a decision to go and see the child the angels spoke about, and when they did, they saw that it was true. They realised that the Messiah had been born. Today we are going to meet two more people who God allowed to see the glory of God’s salvation in a humble baby. But before we meet them, there is a continuation of the story.

Have you ever wondered how Bible Talks come about? How do you get from a blank screen to a 20 minute talk with slides, pictures and everything else? Well, I don’t know about others but I start with reading the passage to understand it and try and draw out the key message. Then I think about structure and headings (rhyme, start with same letter, etc.) Then I think about stories or anecdotes or pictures that help to illustrate some of the points. When faced with Luke 2:21, the last part kind of goes out of the window. It’s the circumcision of Jesus.

1. JESUS IS SET APART v21
Jesus is given His name actually before He is conceived (v21), but He is officially named when He is 8 days old. This is at His circumcision, as was the Jewish custom. Originally, the circumcision covenant / promise was given to Abraham. It was more than a cultural thing or optional medical procedure - it had spiritual consequences.

Genesis 12 tells us that Abram was called to be the father of many nations. Sounds okay, until you realise he was a childless 75 year old. And, although Abram believed and obeyed God’s word, deep down he was unchanged. Abram became complacent towards God and he had a child, Ishmael, not with his wife Sarai, but with a maidservant, Hagar. After enduring his complacency for 13 years, God said to Abram "walk before me faithfully and be blameless" Gen 17:1. God changed his name to Abraham (which means 'father of many') and commanded him to enter the covenant/promise of circumcision. This promise must be kept by all future generations of Abraham’s descendants to show they belonged to God for His purpose. And after this, Abraham lived a new life before God; he lived for God’s holy purpose.

This is what Jesus is doing here. Jesus was circumcised on the 8th day to fulfil God’s holy purpose of bringing "peace to those on whom his favour/grace rests" 2:14.

So, after His circumcision, His parents named Him Jesus, the name the angels had told them. This is not as easy as it sounds and showed great faith. Tradition demanded that He be named after His father, so it would be hard to explain this decision. Jesus means Saviour, so Joseph and Mary’s faith and obedience showed that they believed this little baby born to them to be the promised Saviour of the world.

JESUS IS BORN IN POVERTY v22-24
"Mary and Joseph took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord-and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: ‘a pair of doves or two young pigeons.’" In Exodus 23:15 God says, "No-one is to appear before me empty handed." and for this ceremony Mary & Joseph were supposed to take a lamb. But they couldn’t afford a lamb, so they brought a pair of pigeons instead. This was known as the offering of the poor. You see, in this small detail, Luke tells us that Jesus was born into a poor family.

This is "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." 2 Cor 8:9

Behind the Jewish ceremonies of circumcision and presentation at the temple was the parents conviction that their children were not their own, but the children of God. Jesus, the second person of the trinity, God, became like one of us, a baby, born of a woman, under the law. "he had to be made like his brothers and sisters in every way." Hebrews 2:17

Right from the start, at Jesus birth, the Son of God humbles himself and makes himself poor.

IMAGES: How many legs? Indian or Eskimo? Woman or saxophone player? Woman’s face HOW MANY FACES? 13

Sometimes you can look at things, but not really see what it is or what you are supposed to see.

JESUS IS RECOGNISED v25-35
Simeon had no problems with what he saw. As soon as he saw Jesus, he picked him up in his arms and proclaimed for all to hear, "my eyes have seen your salvation." Simeon lived in dark times. God’s people were under Roman rule, they were second class citizens and they were full of despair. But not Simeon - he had faith in God. He had faith that God’s promises were true. For the previous 1000 years God promised, through the OT prophets that he would send a saviour. This hope sustained Simeon faith. He believed the Promised One would come soon and when he came, His people would be consoled for all the sorrows and pain they had endured to live as God’s people.

But not only did Simeon see Jesus for who He was, Simeon also acted. He took Jesus in his arms. For Simeon, God’s long-awaited salvation had arrived. He recognised who Jesus was and the fact that in this baby was the culmination of all the prophecies.

Isaiah 52:10 "The Lord will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God."

Simeon realises that this is the Jewish Messiah who come to bring glory to Israel, but the mercy shown to Israel pours over to all nations.

Isaiah also says "Is it too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth." Is 49:6. Isaiah implies that it would be a dishonour to God’s servant-Messiah if he did not give him more to do than simply restore the glory of an oppressed and sinful Israel. No, there is more.

And so Simeon, follows Isaiah’s line and assigns two tasks to this little baby, Jesus. Verse 32: As the light of the world He brings revelation to the nations. In other words he will reveal the true God and the true way of salvation. Isaiah 42:6-8 "I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols."

So Jesus’ mission, which Simeon sees is to open eyes to who God truly is so that they may bring back glory to Him. So Jesus will restore Israel, the Jews and be a light to all the nations, the Gentiles.

But is that what happens? Do the Jews welcome Jesus as the Messiah who will rescue them? Well, it depends on what you are looking for. Zechariah in Luke 1:71-75 pictured it like this. They are to be delivered from the oppression of all their enemies and the covenant promises are to be fulfilled so that they may all serve God without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of their lives.

But this didn’t happen. Israel rejected their Messiah. In fact God’s purpose was that by means of this very rejection salvation might come to the Gentiles so as to make Israel jealous.

Romans 11:11 "because of their (Jews/Israel’s) transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious."

In their rejection of their Messiah, Israel unwittingly unleashed a tidal wave of grace in the world. And this is what Simeon goes onto say v34-35. Simeon predicts Israel’s rejection. Jesus will not be received well by all. For he will "cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed." In other words, some will reject Him and it will be shown whether a person has a heart humble enough to trust Christ alone for salvation or whether they are proud and must be brought low.

All sorts of people have all sorts of views of Jesus. They see him as a good mam, a trouble causer, a ‘nobody’ hyped up by St. Paul, a madman, a clever spin doctor, a dangerous cult leader. All sorts of people also have all sorts of views on why we are here and the destiny of mankind. They think when you die, you die, everyone goes to heaven, you get reincarnated.

But they are all wrong. Each person’s destiny depends entirely on how they see Jesus. Those who recognise Jesus for who He is, and believe - like Simeon - will be saved. Those who do not believe will be condemned. There will be division.

But how does this square with what we heard last week? "and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests." v14 Does Jesus bring peace or division? The answer is that Jesus brings both. It is just as a present at Christmas may be left at the foot of the tree. It has been put there for us; it has our name on the gift tag. But we have to accept it and unwrap it.

And I’m not talking about Championship Manager or a mouse mat with Gracie’s face on it. (Or whatever your perfect gift is) I’m talking about God’s gift of peace in Jesus. The gift has been purchased, prepared and perfectly suits our need - but it is ours to accept or decline. So there will always be a division according to how we chose. Neutrality is not an option.

Simeon recognised who Jesus was, Simeon embraced Jesus in his arms, Simeon proclaimed that Jesus was God’s salvation. And the result? "you may now dismiss your servant in peace" v29. Simeon had peace in his heart and new he could die happy and secure.

JESUS IS WORSHIPPED
"There was also a prophet, Anna" v36. Anna was only married to her husband 7 years, when he died. She is now 84 and despite her tragic loss and circumstances, she dedicates her life to serving and worshipping God. Anna also recognised who Jesus was and believed in her heart the promised God had made concerning the Messiah.

She committed her life to serve God and to pray for His people and when she saw Jesus she thanked God because He had been faithful in keeping His promise to her and His people. You see, when you truly recognise who Jesus is, your life is transformed to one of worship and service - to God and to His people.

We have talked a great deal already about what it means to 'be grace in the community', but it comes up again here and causes us to think about what our response it.

Luke