Session 4 Anticipated Jesus is the promised Messiah. LUKE 2:25-38 04 36 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources What do you anticipate most during the Christmas season? Does it usually fulfill your expectation or leave you wanting? This time of year is filled with anticipation. We might have expectations for receiving a particular gift, for the people we will see, or the activities in which we will participate. No doubt, some of the things we have anticipated meet our expectations and some do not. In today’s lesson, the anticipation of the Messiah did not disappoint two people who had waited for His birth. UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT Prophecy had a rich tradition in Old and prophets that God built His church Testament times. Moses spoke prophetically (Eph. 2:20). The activity of the prophets to the people of God, and messianic in the early church included predicting expectations included a Messiah who would events (Acts 11:28; 20:23; 27:22-26) be a prophet like Moses (Deut. 34:10). and announcing judgments (Acts 13:11; Prophets like Deborah (Judg. 4:6-7) and 28:25-28). These prophetic insights were Samuel (1 Sam. 3:20; 7:6,15) helped conquer not to glorify the prophet but to result and settle the land of Israel. Prophets such in missionary efforts (Acts 13:1-3). as Elijah and Elisha guided the kings by Prophecy was not to be blindly accepted giving both welcome and unwelcome advice but evaluated by the church (1 Cor. 14:29; to them. Prophets continued to deliver God’s 1 Thess. 5:20-21). message to kings and others throughout the time of the united kingdom, divided Because prophetic activity was silenced kingdom, exile, and resettlement. between the testaments, the early church saw the coming of Jesus as the Prophets experienced a call from God in-breaking of the Spirit’s work. The and received a message from Him— angel’s announcements to Zechariah sometimes through direct revelations, and Mary resulted in them prophesying visions, or dreams. Sometimes their work (Luke 1:46-79). It was in this context that was foretelling the future; at other times it a prophet and prophetess in Jerusalem involved forthtelling God’s message for that encountered Jesus and prophesied that He exact moment. was the promised Messiah. Prophets played a foundational role in the early church. God gifted some as prophets to deliver His message (1 Cor. 12:28-31). It was on the foundation of the apostles DATE OF M Y BIBLE ST UDY: ____________ 37 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources LUKE 2:25-38 25 There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Passage Outline Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, Anticipated (Luke 2:25-27) looking forward to Israel’s consolation A, and the Recognized (Luke 2:28-35) Holy Spirit was on him B. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death Shared (Luke 2:36-38) before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Key Words Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what A. Isaiah 40:1 prophesied was customary under the law C, 28 Simeon took a day when Israel would be comforted because him up in his arms, praised God, and said, 29 Now, her warfare would be Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, accomplished and her as you promised. 30 For my eyes have seen your iniquity pardoned. salvation. 31 You have prepared it in the presence B. Other than Jesus, no of all peoples — 32 a light for revelation to the one else in the Gospels is Gentiles D and glory to your people Israel. 33 His described as having the father and mother were amazed at what was being Holy Spirit on them. said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them C. C ircumcision and and told his mother Mary: “Indeed, this child is dedication. (Lev. 12:1-4). destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel D. S imeon quoted Isaiah and to be a sign that will be opposed — 49:6. This continued 35 and a sword E will pierce your own soul — that Luke’s emphasis on the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed F.” Jesus as the Messiah for all people. 36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along E. S imeon prophetically in years, having lived with her husband seven years foresaw Mary’s anguish at Jesus’ trials and after her marriage, 37 and was a widow for eighty- crucifixion (Ps. 57:4; four years. She did not leave the temple, serving John 19:34). God night and day with fasting and prayers. 38 At F. Simeon had already that very moment, she came up and began to thank called Jesus a “light for God and to speak about him to all who were looking revelation” in verse 32. forward to the redemption of Jerusalem G. Light exposes what’s in the darkness. G. Since Jerusalem was the capital, this means the redemption of all God’s people. 38 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources EXPLORE THE TEXT Luke introduced two prophetic voices in the blessing Jesus would be to both Jew and story of Jesus. The first of these figures was a Gentile left His parents in awe. Simeon then man named Simeon. The text refers to Simon blessed Joseph and Mary by speaking a word as righteous and devout. The first term of prophecy to them, specifically to Mary. emphasized that he was a man of high moral Jesus would be a watershed, dividing those standards. He was an honorable man who who fall from those who rise. could be trusted, making him an excellent character witness to those who took the How does Christ divide and unite people promise of the Messiah seriously. The second at the same time? term, devout, indicated reverence or respect DID YOU KNOW? Simeon’s words that would cause a person to fear God. of praise in Luke 2:29-32 are Simeon was a man who took his religious traditionally known as the Nunc responsibilities and beliefs seriously, and Dimittis, Latin for “now dismiss.” it was to him that God revealed a prophetic word about the birth of His Son.Only by Luke continued to emphasize the renewal of following the Spirit would Simeon be in prophecy at the coming of the Messianic age the right place at the right time to have an as he introduced Anna. The aged widow was encounter with Christ. Thirty days after waiting for the coming of Messiah and was a Jesus’ circumcision, he was brought back to trustworthy, reliable source of this prophecy. the temple for dedication, and a sacrifice was How does the description of Anna make made in the temple. It was on this specific day her a credible witness? What qualifies that the Holy Spirit led Simeon to this specific people to be credible witnesses for Jesus? place where he would encounter Jesus. Anna the prophetess, upon recognizing that How does trusting in God’s promises the Messiah had come, did two important help a person endure the daily grind of things. First, she began to thank God. Second, life and time? she spoke about Jesus. As Simeon saw the answer to God’s promise BIBLE SKILL: Review Bible arrive at the temple, he took him up in his commentaries. Review Bible arms and praised God, acknowledging that commentaries on Luke 2:25 and God had fulfilled His promise to keep him 38, paying particular attention to alive until the birth of the Messiah. comments on “Israel’s consolation” KEY DOCTRINE: God the Father and “the redemption of Jerusalem.” God is fatherly in His attitude Review other Bible passages toward all men (Isa. 64:8). identified in the commentaries. Write a summary of what you Joseph and Mary were amazed at what was discovered and how these two being said about their child. To hear the phrases are connected. 39 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources APPLY THE TEXT • God’s promises bring purpose in this life. • Gentiles and Jews find redemption in Jesus. • Believers must tell others that redemption is found in Jesus Christ alone. How does faith in Jesus Christ bring purpose to your life? How did your purpose in life change after you encountered Christ? Who do you know that may feel excluded or outside the possibility of knowing Jesus? What action can you take to help them feel welcomed? As a group, brainstorm ways you can be involved together in sharing the story of salvation in Jesus Christ. What are some practical ways that God can use your group to lead neighbors to Christ? Prayer Requests © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources DAILY EXPLORATION Day 1: Simeon had assurance that he would see the Messiah. Read Luke 2:25-27, considering the promise Simeon had from God. Luke revealed three interesting facts about Simeon. First, he was looking forward to Israel’s consolation. The Holy Spirit was the One called alongside to bring comfort and encouragement. Simeon was looking for that day when the Spirit was poured out upon the people of God to bring them comfort and encouragement. He was looking for the inauguration of the Messianic age, when Messiah would come and bring deliverance to Israel. A second characteristic of Simeon was that the Holy Spirit was on him.