WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY

PART 4:  SIMEON AND ANNA

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

SIMEON AND ANNA -- LUKE 2:22-38

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.”

Joseph and Mary were following the Law of Moses and were taking Jesus to present him to the Lord.  When they arrived, they encountered two people Simeon, who was righteous and devout, and Anna, who never left the temple and worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 

It had been revealed to him (Simeon) 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…..

Can you picture this man, waiting?  Searching?  Watching?  And then slowly holding his arms out to hold the baby Jesus?  Gently, ever so gently, taking the child into his arms.

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.”

Can you see her?  Anna had been married for seven years and was a widow until she was 84.

She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.  Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.  And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

 

The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die until he saw the Lord’s Messiah.  Simeon, held the Christ Child and praised God.  He had seen the Christ Child.  He was ready to die in peace, because he had seen God’s salvation.

Have you found God’s salvation?  Are you ready to die in peace?

Anna realized in a moment that this baby was the redemption of Jerusalem.  She gave thanks and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to that redemption. 

Do you realize Jesus came for the redemption of everyone?  That is EVERY ONE!  Tell yourself that and then tell others.  God does not desire for even one of his children to be lost.  His desire is for each and every child to have eternal life.  Spread the word about this child that grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and had the grace of God on him.

 

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

WHY – if they were so wise – did the Wise Men have to ask for directions?  (January 1, 2021)

 WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY

PART 3:  JOSEPH

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

JOSEPH -- MATTHEW 1:18-24

 “This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about:  His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.” 

MARY PREGNANT?  I am sure this took Joseph’s breath away.  They had not consummated the betrothal.  Can you picture Joseph’s brow wrinkle as he tries to understand and … he does not want to hurt her… but what should he do?

“Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.”  Yes, that would be the best.  Quietly.  He would speak to her and explain.

“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Have you ever had a dream so real that when you woke up you were lost in time and space?  Confused between dream and reality?  That is where Joseph must have been when he first began to wake up.  As his eyes were opening, did he remember what the prophet had said?  Did virgin will conceive, birth to a son, and Immanuel move from dream into reality?

“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.”

Joseph, a man faithful to the law, had a compassionate heart.  He took Mary home.  “But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son.  And he gave him the name Jesus.”

Why was he willing to change his mind?  He was all set to “divorce her quietly” and then he went to sleep.

I often do not know how a blog is going to end and this part on Joseph was one of those times.  I wasn’t sure why he had changed his mind.  Yes, he was visited by an angel.  But he could have easily dismissed that as just a dream. 

Then it hit me.  The answer is simple.  Joseph did the right thing.

Joseph should be admired as a man, a husband, and a father.  As a man, he was faithful to the law.  As a husband, he loved his wife enough to delay consummating their marriage.  As a father, he was an earthly role model for Jesus.  None of these would have been easy.   Doing the right thing is not always easy.

An angel came to Joseph in a dream and instructed him on how to do the right thing.  Where do you find instructions on doing the right thing?  Who do you turn to for encouragement and strength when trying to do the right thing?

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

WHAT happens when you find him?  (December 25, 2020)

WHY – if they were so wise – did the Wise Men have to ask for directions?  (January 1, 2021)

 

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY

PART 2:  MARY

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

MARY - LUKE 1:26-39

In Galilee, in the town of Nazareth, Mary was all excited about being betrothed to Joseph.  She was still living in her father’s house, but that would cease when the processional walked her to the house of her groom.  Then the betrothal would become a legal tie and the marriage would be consummated. 

This young virgin saw her future as being very traditional ....  until Gabriel delivered another message. 

“Greetings, you who are highly favored!  The Lord is with you.”  Mary was greatly troubled and wondered.  At least she was not gripped with fear like Zechariah.  Gabriel must be used to people getting a bit afraid when he appeared, because he immediately calmed her by saying, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.”

I can almost see Mary taking a deep breath and allowing her body to relax, until she heard, “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.”

Was her mind swirling...a baby?  ”He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Then the question came:  “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

As I read this, I am ready for another “I AM GABRIEL” moment.  It doesn’t come.  Instead, he proceeds to calmly tell Mary what will happen and that Elizabeth is to have a child in her old age. 

What did I miss?  How come Zechariah got in trouble for asking a question and Mary didn’t?  They were both asking the same question: How is this going to happen?  Why?  Zechariah and Elizabeth had prayed and prayed for a child.  When the angel said their prayers were being answered, Zechariah questioned how this could be.  He was questioning God’s ability to answer their prayers.  Mary had no idea how this could physically happen and was asking an honest question, not doubting God.

BUT that was the last question Mary asked.  Mary listened.  Mary answered:  “I am the Lord’s servant.  May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Then the angel left her.  I can picture Gabriel, looking lovingly at Mary, and slowly fading away, leaving Mary to comprehend all that had happened.

A popular question: If you could sit and eat with any person dead or alive, who would you pick? My answer is Mary.

I would love to ask her how it felt to hear the words: you have found favor with God.  I want to know what she did when the angel left.  I want to know where she found the strength to immediately agree. 

Aren’t we like Mary?  Mary was highly favored.  News Flash!  We — every one of us — are highly favored by God.  HE MADE US...He made you...He made me. 

Mary had the honor of giving birth to the Son of God.  What honor has God bestowed on you?  “I am the Lord’s servant.  May the honor you have given me be fulfilled.”  Do you have the strength and faith to say you are a servant?

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

WHAT changed Joseph’s mind?  (December 18, 2020)

WHAT happens when you find him?  (December 25, 2020)

WHY – if they were so wise – did the Wise Men have to ask for directions?  (January 1, 2021)

 

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY

PART 1:  ZECHARIAH

A minister was giving a sermon on the catching of a lot of fish.  As he spoke, he noticed one man really listening.  Hanging onto every word.  He stood a little taller thinking, “I must be giving a great sermon.”  The service was over and the man stepped up to the minister and asked, “Who cleaned the fish?”

I had a similar experience.  No, I was not giving a great message.  I was teaching Sunday School and referenced a message I had given on the 23rd Psalm.  I talked about the table before my enemies.  Then, one of the men looked at me and asked, “What was on the table?”

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

ZECHARIAH – LUKE 1:5-20

Zechariah was righteous in the sight of God.  I do not know how he managed to do this, but he and his wife, Elizabeth, observed all – ALL – of the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.  Sadly, they had no children.  Zechariah was serving in the temple.  It was an honor to go into the temple and burn incense, while the worshipers prayed outside. 

The scripture says, “Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him.”  The word then is not dramatic enough.  Then she went to the store.  Then they had supper.  The appearance of an angel requires trumpets and a change in the barometric pressure.  King James Version says, “And there appeared…”  Then and there make it sound like an angel had come for a cup of tea.

Zechariah, realizing an angel was standing at the right side of the altar of incense, was startled and gripped with fear.  Bless the angel!  He told Zechariah to not be afraid.  Then – now this is where the big then begins:  “Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.  Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.”

I have a feeling it was at this point that Zechariah zoned out, because he asked a question.

Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

Talk about asking the wrong question.  Why would Zechariah question the angel?  He was a priest and on that day he was the main man...in the temple burning incense.  Of all the people around, wouldn’t a priest know not to question an angel?

The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel.  I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.”

Wow.  I can almost see Zechariah’s eyes getting very large when he heard the words:

I

AM

GABRIEL

Each word would have been pronounced, with emphasis, and there would have been a pause between each word.  Gabriel continued, “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. ….

Oh my.  Oh my.  Can you picture Zechariah shrinking?

And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” 

Really Zechariah?  You were a priest, who observed all of the Lord’s commands and decrees.  You were in the temple, at the time for burning of incense, and yet you questioned the angel.  How could an old man and old woman have a child?

Are we like Zechariah?  We believe.  We do believe, but …. do we believe God is capable of giving us what we pray for?

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

HOW could a virgin become pregnant?  (December 11, 2020)

WHAT changed Joseph’s mind?  (December 18, 2020)

WHAT happens when you find him?  (December 25, 2020)

WHY – if they were so wise – did the Wise Men have to ask for directions?  (January 1, 2021)