A Divine Appointment: Devout Meets Deity

What can we learn from a man in Jerusalem called Simeon? Today brings us to week three in our series of Advent celebrations. I invite you to join me in considering a cameo tucked into the Book of Luke. Simeon, like Mary and the shepherds, also participated in God’s Bigger Story surrounding the life of our Newborn King.

Luke 2: 22-35.

When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord  (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated 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.”

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:  

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.  For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to 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. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." 

What can we learn from a man in Jerusalem called Simeon?  

What sets Simeon apart?

The Significance of his character: Indeed, he was righteous and devout. This man honored God, walked with God, waited on God, believed God, listened to God, knew the character of God, recognized the Son of God, and he praised God.

The Significance of the Holy Spirit in his life: Guided by the Spirit (HCSB), Simeon was where he was supposed to be at just the exact time to intersect with the new family for this most incredible Divine Appointment.

The Significance of his actions: Simeon knew this was no ordinary Baby. No indeed. Upon seeing the Baby, he took Him into his arms: devout meets Deity! (Picturing the tenderness overwhelms my grandmother's heart.)

Holding The Child, this man’s joy erupted in praise and thanksgiving to God, the One who had told him to wait for this Divine Appointment.

After praying and talking aloud to God, Simeon directed his thoughts to the husband and wife standing before him. In this poignant moment, he blessed them! Perhaps he spoke the rich words from Numbers 6:24-25. We do not know; we are not told.

Yet, put yourself in the place of Mary and Joseph, a young couple caught up in caring for God’s Only Son during these embryonic days of His life on earth. Imagine how this elderly man's blessing would have brought encouragement to your hearts.

Did the Divine Appointment conclude with Simeon's blessing? No. He then moved to speak prophecy, a painful prophecy, customized just for Mary.

Then, Simeon’s Divine Appointment in the temple was over. But he had been waiting, and waiting and waiting; and he had been ready. Because he walked with God, listened to God, and was led by God, he met the Son of God—in a Divine Appointment.  

Living With Eternal Intentionality™

How is God working to build godly character into your life that you see in the life of Simeon?

Describe the difference in the story if Simeon had not listened to God—if he had been too busy, too distracted, or too absorbed in his own agenda.

When is the last time God led you into a Divine Appointment? What occurred as a result?

May I make a suggestion? Treat a friend to coffee this week, and share with each other the amazing work of the Holy Spirit in your lives.

Glory to God in the Ordinary

Today, week two in our series of Advent celebrations, we continue our worship with a focus on the shepherds in Luke 2:8-20.

The Shepherds: Glory to God in the Ordinary

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Ordinary Shepherds

Growing up, I raised sheep, fed sheep, vaccinated sheep, and in competition, exhibited sheep—a large flock of sheep. Daily, I took care of their never-ending needs. Yet for these shepherds, herding sheep outside Bethlehem differed drastically from my modern day animal husbandry experience.

Their demanding vigil required living outdoors among their animals on barren hillsides. Did anything ever disrupt their ordinary lives or their ordinary duties? Seemingly, no. Yet, these ordinary shepherds, with an ordinary occupation, on an ordinary evening, became the first to hear an extraordinary announcement:The Birth Announcement of The Son of God.

Extraordinary Interruption

After 400 years of silence, an angel of the Lord broke the sound barrier. Without forewarning or introduction, a heavenly herald exploded on the serene pastoral scene.

Of course, the ordinary shepherds were terrified! But, the angel reassured them this was good news of great joy. There has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Suddenly, backup voices appeared on the stage. An entire host joined the angel of the Lord to praise God and pronounce peace. When the heavenly performance ended, the curtain closed and the ordinary shepherds found themselves alone with their sheep. But they did not sit still.

Extraordinary Response

They discussed, they decided, and they departed. With a sense of urgency that fairly pulsates from the Text, they went and they saw. Once the ordinary shepherds discovered for themselves that the announcement was true—The Baby was indeed in the manger—they spread the word of this extraordinary event. Ordinary individuals were entrusted with an extraordinary message…and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Extraordinary Reality

Good news, great joy: a Savior has been born to you. Down through the ages, the to you part of this story still grips me—ordinary you, ordinary me. Extraordinary, isn’t it?

 Living with Eternal Intentionality™

Imagine the silence of 4oo years being broken with the angel’s announcement! Put yourself in the place of a shepherd. What might your response have been that night outside of Bethlehem?

Consider the powerful potential of an interruption. Our tendency is to view an interruption negatively. When is the last time God interrupted your ordinary daily routine with His change of plans for you? How did you respond?

The angels’ chorus of praise says in v.14, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.  Why is peace so precious to those who know God?

When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this Child ( v.18). What resulted from the shepherds seeing the Newborn Christ?  How does this apply to us today?

Mary Said Yes to God

I have an invitation. Will you please join me here for the next four weeks to celebrate Advent? In the midst of your crowded calendar, I want to create a quiet corner just for you, where you can meaningfully meet with God.

Imagine a fresh evergreen wreath bedecked with festive ribbons and glowing candles is sitting on a table before us. Imagine we are sipping warm wassail from red mugs, imagine a fire is roaring inside the fireplace, and imagine snow is quietly falling just beyond the window. As you and I gather around God’s Word, let us prepare our hearts to worship Him.

Mary said Yes to God.

Mary. Multiple images play out on the whiteboard of our minds at the mention of her name. But ponder this thought: before Mary heaved her very pregnant body onto the back of a donkey, before she plodded with Joseph into the hubbub of Bethlehem, before she made do with a manger for her Baby’s bed, she made a significant choice. Mary said Yes to God.

The angel Gabriel appeared with a Special Delivery Message from God, which dramatically altered the course of Mary’s life; she would never again be the same. “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you”(Luke 1:28). Gabriel goes on, in the verses following, to offer reassurance and clarity to this youthful maiden. He articulates the specifics he had been assigned to deliver. “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:30-33).

Then tucked in between verse 37 and verse 39 are the remarkable words we pause to consider. “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38). In paraphrase, “So be it. Thy will be done.”

Mary said Yes to God—to His will, to His plan, to His call on her life. Her destiny was contained in her response, and I am astounded each time I read it! How was this humanly possible for one so young, so innocent?

A closer look at the text sheds light on her faith-filled choice.                                                     

Mary said Yes to God because she knew the Word of God.                                                               

And                                                                                                                                                 

Because she knew the Word of God, she knew the Person of God. 

And

Because she knew the Person of God, she was prepared to say yes to the opportunity of God.

Her song (Luke 1:46-55) is saturated with Old Testament teaching where she exclaims the character of God, the faithfulness of God, the power of God, even the priorities of God. The significance of her response is steeped in the significance of Scripture. And here the connective gem emerges:

Knowing her God and knowing His Word laid the foundation for Mary to say Yes to God with pure, simple faith.

Luke 1: 46-55

And Mary said: “My soul praises the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For He has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is His name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation after generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their innermost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, [remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.”

The God that Mary knew invited her into His plan, and Mary said yes. She chose to believe. (Luke 1: 45) She chose to obey.

Living with Eternal Intentionality™:

If Mary said No, how would the Story have been different?

Does her knowledge of Scripture motivate you to saturate yourself in the Word of God? What step will you take today to embark on this adventure?

Which aspect of God’s character in Luke 1:46-55 particularly encourages you this season of Advent?

Mary’s model of saying Yes to God sets an example for you and me. Where is God asking you to say Yes?