PENINSULA BIBLE CHURCH CUPERTINO Blessed are the pure in heart: Catalog No. 7293 SIMEON AND ANNA Luke 2:22–39 John Hanneman December 19th, 2010

O little town of Bethlehem, comparison. Our prayer this morning is for God to cast out our sin How still we see thee lie! and enter in, be born in us today. Above thy deep and dreamless sleep Today is the fourth and last Sunday of Advent. Our advent The silent stars go by; series has focused on four pairs of people that we encounter in the Yet in thy dark streets shineth birth narratives of Luke and Matthew. In the past three weeks we The everlasting Light; have talked about Zechariah and Elizabeth, Joseph and Mary, the The hopes and fears of all the years shepherds and magi. Today, we conclude our series by looking at Are met in thee tonight. the story of Simeon and Anna. The common denominator of these stories is that when God came to earth in human form, the people For Christ is born of Mary, to whom God revealed himself and the people who recognized him And gathered all above, were not the high and mighty, nor the rich and powerful. The music While mortals sleep, the angels keep of God’s word had been playing in the background for centuries Their watch of wondering love. through the mouths of the prophets, but those who were occupied O morning stars, together with this world missed it completely. Rather God came and revealed Proclaim the holy birth! himself to the lowly and humble living in submission and obedience And praises sing to God the King, to him. He came to the poor in spirit, to the meek, to those hungry And peace to men on earth. and thirsty for righteousness, and to the pure in heart. Simeon and Anna were two people who were pure in heart, and as a result they How silently, how silently, saw God. Here is the backdrop to their story. The wondrous gift is given! When the time came for the purification rites required by the So God imparts to human hearts Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to The blessings of his heaven. present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, No ear may hear his coming, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to But in this world of sin, offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Where meek souls will receive him, still Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” (Luke 2:22-24) The dear Christ enters in. Joseph and Mary came to Jerusalem for two reasons, for Mary to O holy Child of Bethlehem! receive the rite of purification and to consecrate their firstborn son Descend to us, we pray; to the Lord. They didn’t necessarily have to go to Jerusalem, but they Cast out our sin and enter in, were close by and stopped before returning home to Galilee. “The Be born in us today. Law” is mentioned three times and “the Lord” is mentioned four We hear the Christmas angels times, thus highlighting the fact that Joseph and Mary were living in The great glad tidings tell; humble obedience to God’s word. O come to us, abide with us, According to Leviticus 12, a woman became ceremonially unclean Our Lord Emmanuel! after childbirth. If she had a son she would be ceremonially unclean for seven days. On the eighth day the boy would be circumcised (as Philip Brooks was so overwhelmed by a visit to Bethlehem in 1865 Luke records in verse 21). Then she would have to wait thirty-three that he penned the lyrics to this familiar Christmas song. As we run days to be purified. If a woman had a girl the amount of time would to and fro preparing for Christmas we hear this song and many more be doubled. (Don’t ask me why it is different.) When the days of like it—on the radio while we are stuck in traffic, in the shopping purification were over the mother would offer a sacrifice, alamb mall’s hustle and bustle, and in the Christmas movies that we watch for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a dove for a sin offering. every year. However, the music that proclaims the birth of our Lord If she could not afford a lamb, then she could bring two doves or and Savior Jesus Christ is playing in the background. If we aren’t two young pigeons. Then the woman would be clean. The fact that attentive, if we aren’t listening, we miss the message all together. Joseph and Mary brought two birds indicates they were poor. If our hearts are cluttered with worldly thoughts and self-serving The Law also required that a firstborn son be consecrated to ambition we cannot see the beauty and the glory of God revealed in the Lord. This was the Lord’s word in Exodus 13, when Israel was the birth of the Christ Child. brought out of slavery from Egypt. It was a reminder that Pharaoh’s My own heart is cut to the quick when I consider that the stubborn heart had led to the death of every firstborn person and splendor and majesty of the incarnation is so grand that everything animal except for those who had been passed over through the blood else associated with this time of year is mere prattle and trinket in of a lamb. The firstborn were set apart to serve the Lord. 1 Luke 2:22–39 Later, according to Numbers 18, every firstborn son was presented was either 84 years old or that she was a widow for 84 years, meaning to the Lord and redeemed from priestly service for the price of five that she was around 105. Luke tells us that Anna is a prophetess and shekels. The redemption price was used to support the priesthood. provides us with information on her lineage. Even though Asher was We hear echoes of Samuel, whom Hannah promised to give to the one of the ten tribes wiped out by Assyria, her heritage with the Lord for all his days. Luke fails to mention the purchase price, but people of God was important to her and to Luke. Luke also tells we see that everything happened to Jesus according to the Law. He us that she was present at the temple day and night, worshipping was a Jew under the Law so that he could redeem those under the God by fasting and praying. I have a picture of Mother Teresa in Law. my mind. Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was Joseph and Mary are young, married. They have their whole life righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of ahead of them. But Simeon and Anna are old, single, and alone. Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed They are at the other end of things. As T.S. Eliot says in his poem A to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had Song for Simeon they have “no tomorrow.” Old people like Simeon seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the and Anna are passed over in our society. We don’t give them much temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to regard. We get irritated because they drive too slow or take a long do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took time to cross the street. But Simeon and Anna are in on the action, him in his arms and praised God, saying: they are in the know, they have a front row seat to the greatest “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, show on earth - God’s human entrance at the temple in Jerusalem. you may now dismiss your servant in peace. The priests, the professionals doing spiritual work, didn’t hear the For my eyes have seen your salvation, music. But Simeon and Anna had eyes to see Israel’s consolation and which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: redeemer. In the heart of a busy temple area these four adults and a a light for revelation to the Gentiles, baby have a surprise rendezvous arranged by God. and the glory of your people Israel.” Rembrandt was so taken with this scene that he painted it eight The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about times and used his own mother as the model for Anna. Early in his him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: life he painted with a macro lens, including the temple in the scene. “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many But later in life he zoomed in on Simeon and Anna. At the time of in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that his death, an unfinished portrait of Simeon was found in his studio. the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will Now let’s add in a few more details about Simeon. We see in the pierce your own soul too.” text that Simeon and the Holy Spirit are well acquainted. The Spirit There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the is mentioned three times to balance the threefold mention of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband Law in verses 22–24. First, the Spirit was upon him. This was very seven years after her marriage, and then had been a widow for rare prior to Pentecost. In the Old Testament, the Spirit came upon a eighty–four years. She never left the temple but worshiped night person for special purposes but not as a permanent resident. Second, and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very the Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die before he moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to saw the Messiah. Third, the Spirit directed Simeon into the temple all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. area at the exact moment that Mary and Joseph arrived. (Luke 2:22–38 tniv) The text tells us that Simeon was looking for, waiting forthe Imagine the scene: Jerusalem was a very busy place and the temple consolation of Israel. This is another way of saying that hewas would be quite crowded. There is nothing remarkable about Joseph looking for the Messiah, the one who according to Isaiah would and Mary. They appear as a plain, obscure, simple, poor couple comfort his people. This was our Scripture reading this morning carrying a child. The shepherds had not posted the arrival ofthe from Isaiah 52: Christ on Facebook or Twitter. Joseph and Mary didn’t have a fancy Burst into songs of joy together, jogging stroller. Jesus wasn’t dressed in Baby Gap. The baby might you ruins of Jerusalem, have been squirming or in need of a fresh diaper. He may have just for the lord has comforted his people, burped up some of his last meal or been squealing because he was he has redeemed Jerusalem. (Isaiah 52:9 tniv) hungry. God spoke to his people in Babylonian exile of good news And yet there were two people who had been paying attention to proclaiming the promise of one who would bring comfort from the background music and they were able to see and know that this oppression and restoration to Jerusalem. But even though the was no ordinary child. This was the child who would fulfill God’s Jews had returned to their land they continued to be oppressed promises to his people and to the entire world. This encounter was by different nations. Israel was still waiting for the one who would so remarkable that despite all that Joseph and Mary had witnessed set them free. Simeon had been watching and waiting with eager and experienced—visits from angels, a virgin birth, a shining star, anticipation because he had God’s assurance that he would not die gifts from magi—they were still filled with wonder and amazement. until the Messiah came. We don’t know very much about Simeon and Anna. We presume Simeon reminds of me of the movie, The Bucket List. The story is Simeon is elderly since he is ready to die. Luke tells us that he is about two men with terminal cancer who make a list of all the things righteous and devout. “Righteous” and “blameless” had been the they want to do before they die, before they kick the bucket. Thus adjectives Luke used to describe Zechariah and Elizabeth. Anna is they embark on a series of wild adventures. Simeon had a bucket an old woman. She had been married for seven years but has been a list, but with only one item. The only thing he desired was to see the widow for a very long time. We can read the text to mean that she Messiah before he died. 2 Blessed are the pure in heart: simeon and anna Simeon offers two blessings, one to the Lord and one to Joseph have collected their mail and visited them often. They have been on a and Mary. The first blessing occurs when he lays his eyes upon baby vigil, looking and waiting for the time when they could return home. Jesus and takes him in his arms. The blessing he utters is the fourth Miraculously, that happened three days ago. But now I wonder what song or praise that we find in Luke’s birth narrative, called theNunc they will long for. What do any of us long for, look forward to? Dimittis, the Latin words for the first two words in the text, “now For those like Simeon and Anna who have been trained to listen to dismiss” or “now release.” TheMagnificat , the Benedictus, the Gloria, the background music, we can live with the one supreme longing and the Nunc Dimittis form the basis for a rich storehouse of Advent that causes our eyes to twinkle and our hearts to be warmed—to be worship. dismissed in peace and see the Lord. Simeon proclaims that he can now die in peace because he has Simeon had a second blessing, this one for Joseph and Mary. We seen the salvation of the Lord. He is now released from his vigil. He are not told what he said. But then he spoke a sobering, prophetic can check off the one item in his bucket list. God’s promised Messiah word that revealed the future to Mary. He said four things. First, has come, the one who would bring light to the Gentiles and glory Jesus will “cause the falling and rising of many in Israel.” Some will to Israel. Our Advent reading this morning from Isaiah 60 speaks of receive Jesus and be raised up, resurrected. For others Jesus will this light and glory: become “a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes Arise, shine, for your light has come, them fall” (Is. 8:14; 28:16; Luke 20:17-18; Romans 9:33: 1 Peter 2:6-8). and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. Second, Jesus will be “a sign that will be spoken against.” He will be See, darkness covers the earth rejected and opposed. He will face the hatred of the world. Third, in and thick darkness is over the peoples, response to Jesus “the thoughts of many will be revealed.” Jesus will but the LORD rises upon you force a response, causing the inner thoughts and decisions of men and his glory appears over you. and women to be revealed, illuminated, and brought out into the Nations will come to your light, open. And finally, a sword will pierce Mary’s soul. Mary will suffer and kings to the brightness of your dawn. (Isaiah 60:1–3 TNIV) great sorrow as she watches her son opposed, rejected, and crucified. Light is the appropriate metaphor for the Gentiles who lived There will be no consolation for Israel without suffering. in darkness, outside the circle of God’s people and God’s word. This can be a word for us too, especially at Christmas. Many of us Glory is appropriately matched with Israel because God’s glory was have unrealistic expectations of a perfect holiday. We want complete often manifested in Israel’s story: God’s glory, his presence dwelling and trouble-free joy. However, that rarely happens. In the midst of amidst his people. God’s salvation has come to all people. Simeon the laughter and celebrations there are things that also bring sorrow has waited, God’s word has been fulfilled, the servant has served his and sadness to our heart - the loss of a loved one or estranged family Sovereign Lord well, and now he can die. members. For some, Christmas is the most depressing time of year. When Anna comes onto the scene, she too, like Simeon, Joy and pain are blended together as they were for Mary. Just as Jesus recognizes the identity of Jesus. She breaks out in praise and then suffered, so we will, one way or another. But the Scriptures tell us to begins to tell everyone who had been looking that the redemption of see our suffering in the light of Jesus’ sufferings. Christ’s sufferings Israel has arrived. The word for “looking forward” in verse 38 is the are our sufferings. Christ’s resurrection is our salvation. What truly same as Simeon’s “waiting” in verse 25. gives us joy at Christmas and every other time of year is that the Luke is making it clear that many people, not just Simeon and Lord’s salvation has come. Anna, were looking for, anticipating the arrival of God’s Messiah. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Simeon and What are you waiting and looking for with eager expectation? Anna were two obscure, humble people with pure hearts,—hearts Many children, certainly not all, have incredible anticipation for directed in devotion to God. As a result, in the midst of ordinary Christmas morning. They wait, not so patiently counting down the life, in a place teeming with people, at a time when God’s people advent calendar, anticipating the arrival of family, and eating the lived under the oppression of a foreign power, their eyes beheld the homemade Christmas delights. It is hard for them to fall asleep on Lord. In the most well known Rembrandt painting we might notice Christmas Eve and they wake you at an untimely hour. As we grow that Simeon’s eyes are closed while Jesus’ eyes are open. Simeon had older we set our sights on other things - the university we might learned to see with the eyes of his heart. attend, the career we will embark on, the person we will marry, the The promise that Jesus makes in Matthew 5 is available to each arrival of children, our financial ship to come in, places to visit, and and every one of us. You do not need a degree in theology. You don’t hundreds of other things. need more knowledge. God is everywhere around us, working in But as we grow into our waning years, one by one these things the ordinary, obscure moments of each and every day. The story of seem to fade away. I am beginning to see this more clearly. Maybe Simeon and Anna encourages us to pay attention to the background we have done some of the things we wanted, but it no longer music, to listen to the Holy Spirit and see God at work in our lives matters. Our health begins to fade and gradually we come to realize and in the lives of others. How does our heart become pure? We like Simeon and Anna that there will come a day when there is no allow God to strip away all our earthly attachments, leaving only the tomorrow. one supreme longing, and allow the Holy Spirit access to the deep Liz and I have some elderly neighbors with whom we have gotten places in our soul, giving us clear vision. Pure hearts and the Holy involved. Bob, who is 94, went to the hospital three months ago Spirit can open our eyes to a whole new world. in dire need of medical attention, and then was transferred to a Jesus said, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are care facility. A couple of weeks later Amelia fell, broke her hip, and healthy, your whole body will be full of light” (Matthew 6:22 joined Bob in the care facility - roommates once again. Liz and I tniv). 3 Luke 2:22–39 I heard a song by George Strait this week on the radio Look up, you whose eyes are laden with tears, you who mourn entitled I Saw God Today. The chorus goes like this: the loss of all that the earth has snatched away. Look up, you who cannot lift up your eyes because you are so laden with guilt. ‘Look I’ve been to church up, your redemption is drawing near.’ … God will come, Jesus I’ve read the book will take possession of you and you will be redeemed people.1 I know He’s here, but I don’t look What a joy it is to behold God’s salvation in Christ and to wait near as often as I should eagerly for him to come again and take us home. Joy to the World, Yeah, I know I should the Lord has come. His fingerprints are everywhere I’d just slow down to stop and stare opened my eyes and man I swear Lord, allow your servants to go in peace. We have experienced your I saw God today salvation that you had promised, fulfilled, and now offer to everyone. Give us pure hearts and spiritual eyes in order to see you and serve you Simeon and Anna could have written that song. Dietrich until you come again. Amen. Bonhoeffer, a man well acquainted with grief wrote: Advent creates new men and women. Look up, you whose eyes 1. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, A Testament to Freedom: The Essential Writings of are fixed on this earth, you who are captivated by the events and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, as quoted in A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God changes on the surface of this earth. Look up, you who turned away (Upper Room Books, Nashville,2003), 44-45. from heaven to this ground because you had become disillusioned. © 2010 Peninsula Bible Church Cupertino

This message from Scripture was preached at Peninsula Bible Church Cupertino on Sunday, December 19th, 2010. PBCC is located at 10601 N Blaney Ave, Cupertino, CA 95014. Tel (408) 366 6690. Website: www.pbcc.org.