JESUS, A LIGHT FOR REVELATION TO THE GENTILES 

Luke 2:21-39

Key Verse: 2:32 “...a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” 

Thank God for the chance to study Luke’s Gospel. I really enjoyed the practical words of God in Peter and Corinthians. Now we all look forward to learning Jesus’ life and faith. We are eager to learn about the people he blessed too. We already learned about Jesus birthday and God’s message to Mary last year. So let’s pick up where we left off and see what we can learn about Jesus our Lord. 

1. He was named Jesus

Let’s read verse 21. “On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.” Some parents name their children after their relatives. Some parents name their children on whim. Some parents name their children based on their vision the child’s life. For instance, I heard of a parent who named their son Harvard, because he was supposed to go to Harvard. But that did not work. God’s vision for Jesus is reflected in his name too. The angel told Mary to call her son Jesus, because he would save his people from their sins. Jesus is the right name then because it means savior, in Hebrew. The good thing is that God’s vision worked.

The whole world was plunged into sin when Adam disobeyed God and infected the world with death. Because of sin mankind broke their fellowship with God. When They took his blessings for granted, like the tenant farmers in the Bible, God’s heart was broken. He wanted many people to worship him and love him and be thankful to him and live with him forever. But because of sin, every human being had to die. What a meaningless life. Yet, God did not give up. God loved this world so much that he gave his one and only son, so that whoever believes in him may have eternal life!

After making his name official, Joseph and Mary waited for about a month and then took Jesus on a special journey to Jerusalem. They waited because God had imposed a time of uncleanness on a mom after giving birth. For the appointed time, mom could not touch any sacred thing nor enter the sanctuary for worship service. When Junior was born, my coworkers mom would not let my coworker out of the house for several weeks. She made my coworker eat seaweed soup three times a day for at least three weeks. She was worried about my coworkers health. God’s regulation was not altogether about health. It was about the shedding of much blood during child birth. And the fact that all the agony of giving birth is related to sin. When the time was over, mom had to present an offering and sacrifice to God. If she had enough money, she must offer a year old lamb for a burnt offering, and a pigeon or dove as a sin offering. But if mom did not have enough money, she should bring two young pigeons. By making an offering, mom could remember that life was a gift from God and that without his mercy, there was no chance for eternal life because of sin. It was a typical journey for a family with a new child, but this was also a special journey for the fact that Jesus was a first born son. As such, the law required the first born male of every womb to be consecrated to the Lord. This makes it a special occasion for Joseph and Mary, and joyful for everyone in the temple. They could remember the grace of God and thank God with hope to increase their nation through a handsome little boy.

Why did Luke mention these things? The “Law of Moses” and the “Law of the Lord” are rather prominent in this part of Luke’s gospel. We think Luke was a gentile, so it is interesting that he was so concerned about the Law of the Lord. Luke felt it was necessary for everyone to know something about the laws Jesus was born under. He did not explain the reasons very deeply, but he mentioned Jesus birth and obedience from the very beginning. We should know God’s laws because they show us who we are before the righteous and holy God. But most importantly, because the Laws help us see what Jesus has done for us in regard to the Law. Paul commented on this Galatians 4:4&5. “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” Jesus was born under the law to set us free from the curse of the Law so that we may serve the Living God. God’s laws are righteous and holy. But we are sinful and wicked. When we read through his laws, we quickly see that we broke too many of God’s laws and we discover that there is no way to catch up to God’s holiness.  We should feel a sadness over that, a godly sorrow that leads us to repent and look to God for help and forgiveness. Ultimately the laws should lead us to Christ Jesus who was born under the law to save his people from their sins.  

2. Simeon, a man of God in his generation 

Let’s read verse 25 “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 upon him.” Usually people are well known for their politics or for their heroic deeds. Some times they are famous for their ridiculous exploits. But Simeon was different. He was well known for being righteous and devout. Saying he was righteous does not mean he never sinned in his life. It was written in he Bible, “there is none righteous, not even one.” So there must be some spiritual reality at work. If Simeon was righteous, it probably means that God had great favor on him, and opened his eyes to see his sinfulness so that he could trust in God and follow God with a humble and sincere love. When he shied away from the political realm and sought the Lord with all his heart, God was happy to hang out with Simeon. The holy spirit was upon him so he was a man of God in his generation. They were hard to find, in even in Jerusalem. They are hard to find even now. Look at verse 26&27. “It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.” We wonder how the Holy Spirit worked in Simeon. It is very interesting. Maybe he had something to do that day, but when he woke up, all he could think of was meeting God in the temple. He may change his plan and go to the temple courts to hang around. He might be there singing a hymn to himself, and praying for many hours. He was enjoying the grace of God and a very close fellowship with the creator. It’s really interesting because he knew something that even the High Priest could not understand. Wouldn’t we expect all the priests and most of Jerusalem to be excited that God’s own son was coming to the temple? They should be. But only Simeon knew what was going on. What Simeon knew about Jesus was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit. I wonder what it would be like to be so in tune with God.

We don’t think much about the Holy Spirit in us, because he moves most of us and teaches us with great subtlety. Some ministries display a lot of activity that they say is prompted by the Holy Spirit. To be honest, when I hear about it I feel so skeptical that I don’t know what to do. Jesus said the Holy Spirit will lead us to all truth. He is called the comforter in the Gospels. Paul said, they who are led by the Spirit are the sons of God. And he wrote of many gifts that the Holy Spirit imparts to God’s people in great diversity. Base on these few words, Simeon’s life in the Holy Spirit seems inconspicuous and very personal. I see that he desired a holy life which pleased God and all his hope was in God. Simeon probably denied himself many pleasures of dissipation and folly to spend his time for Bible study and praising God. Verse 26 show that his hope was not in this world. All he wanted to do was serve God and see Jesus. Waiting patiently prayerfully to see Jesus is not so easy. The cares of the world are many, and the holy life can feel uneventful sometimes. In this sense, following the Holy Spirit has not changed much. We are hoping to see Jesus one day, denying ourselves much dissipation to live as God’s holy nation people. It is the life of many saints. Simeon was surely a man of God like Daniel who prayed earnestly for his people. Simeon’s life of devotion paid off. Look what happened when Jesus came with his parents into the temple.  

3. Simeon’s praise and blessings

Let’s read verse 28-32 together. “Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

 you now dismiss your servant in peace.

 For my eyes have seen your salvation,

 which you have prepared in the sight of all people,

 a light for revelation to the Gentiles

  and for glory to your people Israel."”

What do you think of when you hear Simeon’s thanksgiving? He said God prepared the salvation in the sight of all people. It reminds me of the angel’s message to the shepherds. It was good news of great joy for all the people. It was not just good news for Mary and Joseph and Simeon. It was not just good news for Israel. Jesus’ coming is good news for all the people of the world! I was also thinking how wonderful it is that God’s grace of forgiveness comes to gentiles like us through Jesus. A light of revelation to the gentiles. I was really blessed when God revealed himself to me. The sky was brighter, and the world was more amazing, my heart was peaceful. Even the desire for holiness grew in me and I learned that I could be a blessing. What is most precious might be the word of God. There really is light and dark regarding the word of God with out Jesus’ help. Before Jesus, the nations of the whole world were in darkness. Only a few people in Israel knew about God’s work going on. What about the Mayans of South America, and the Inuits of Alaska? What was happening in the deep jungles of Zimbabwe and the cloudy hills of Asia? Darkness. There was no word of God. Dark nations resisted, but it did not last. Today, the light of Jesus shines in almost every dark corner of the world. I saw some news articles about something like 500,000 indigenous people left in some Amazonian jungles whom no one has contacted about Jesus. They are in darkness. I wonder if Paul, Jacob and Margaret will be able to witness to them.

They are not the only ones. I was in darkness too, even though there was so much Bible in my country. I had seen the Bible on television when Moses split the Red Sea, but I could not see the truth of God. My spiritual realm was just dark. But the light of Jesus shined on the Bible one day as I was reading it, and then I could see. Now, the word of God speaks to me as the words of my Father in heaven. I never listened to my father on earth, but now I can listen to my father in heaven. The light of revelation to the Gentiles still reaches into dark hearts the very same way it has from the beginning. The light of Jesus is more than sunlight. John said “in him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light of revelation is real life that lasts forever when Jesus’ shines in us.

It gets even more amazing. Jesus’ light not only shines on the gentiles, giving them life so they may live as children of God, but it shines through them as well. Jesus said that his people are the light of the world. That made me sing a song. Shine on me. Let me be the light of the world. Thank God for the light of revelation that still shines even when the world looks darker and darker and darker. Many Rutgers students are still in darkness. Rutgers has picture of the sun on the logo. Originally it represented Jesus shining on the students while they studied and shining from the students to the whole western hemisphere when they graduated. Thank God for the students who still shine Jesus’ light in our day. Most are gentiles, but I found out that one of the Hannah’s we know is Jewish and I thanked God.

That reminds me that Jesus is glory for God’s people, Israel. That causes controversy, because the Middle Eastern nation Israel clearly glories in something else. Let’s read verse 32. “....a light for revelation to the Gentiles

and for glory to your people Israel.” In this verse Simeon was talking to God. I think he was talking about Israel as the people of God, not merely the Jewish people. Paul clarified who are God’s people in his letter to the Romans. He wrote, “... not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. ... it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring.” I makes me think Simeon was speaking prophetic words about all those who trust Jesus and serve God by faith, just like Abraham. We glory in Christ Jesus, not in our heritage, or culture or religion. Real Israel exists like Jacob, as pilgrims in a strange land. Our God is the living God and we find meaning for our lives in working for Jesus and praising God for Jesus and we also give all we have to share Jesus all over the world. God’s people don’t glory any more in sports heroes, or pop singers or in the college we graduated from, nor in the pride of our life. We are trying hard not to glory in anything of this world, not even in our children’s success. Israel glories in Jesus our redeemer and in the cross that he bore. He is our savior, our hope and the one we live for. We try as much as we can, to do all we do for the glory of God. Amen?

Let’s read verse 32. “....a light for revelation to the Gentiles

and for glory to your people Israel.” Thank God for Jesus who came from heaven, grew up under your law and served you in Israel and gave his life, to establish Israel among all the nations of the world. Thank you for calling us  from the darkness of the world to the wonderful light of Jesus. Thank you for  making your people, so we can declare your praises! We were nothing but worms who sinned against God. But your mercy and love shined on us in the light of Jesus. Please strengthen us and stand by us, till we live up to your hope as the people of God in this generation, the light of the world in our time.

 Simeon’s praise was a big surprise to Joseph and Mary. They expected to meet a priest, and make their offering, pray and go home. But the man of God, Simeon came out of nowhere and proclaimed a profound thanksgiving in front of everyone. Through his witness, Mary’s heart must have warmed greatly. Surely she remembered the angels word’s and thanked God for the confirmation that everything was on track. Joseph must have been very proud and so happy for Mary because God’s hope for Jesus was so wide and far reaching. Simeon blessed his parents and told Mary some more challenging truth from God. Let’s read that in verse 34&35. “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.” These words convey the gravity of Jesus and his influence. Jesus Christ causes the falling and rising of many. His words sound almost like Jesus’ own words later on in Luke 20. “The stone the builders rejected

 has become the capstone? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed." There are many who fall on Jesus, and have their stony hearts broken because of their sinfulness. They repent and rebuild their houses on the rock of Christ. They rise from the dead and will live forever with Jesus. It is true that many fall and rise again in Jesus Christ. There are also many who fall away. Their hearts are made of stony ground so when persecution or trouble comes they fall. Some get tempted by things in this world which they loved a little more than Jesus. The weeds of worldliness choke the word of God in their heart so they wither and fall. Do not be one of them. Pray we may see the youngsters among us rise up with Jesus to be a holy nation, not fall into perdition. Those who confess Jesus, and forsake this world to the end, will rise with him in victory over death and the grave on the last day!

There was also a piercing word for Mary. “a sword will pierce your own soul too.” This has various meanings. It means there will be deep sorrow to  watch her son Jesus die after doing nothing but good things for everyone he met. It also implies that the word of God, the Sword of the Holy Spirit, would convince Mary of her own sinfulness and bring her to Jesus her own son for salvation. Ladies like to sympathize with Mary, so they think of the first way. But I like the second. It makes more sense when I remember that salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. Either one would be a trial for Mary. Simeon was a man of truth though, so he did not pull any punches, not even with beautiful Mary, Jesus’ mom.  

4. Anna the mother of prayer

Luke wrote about Anna in verse 36-38. “There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.” If she got married around 15 or 16. She may have had one or two children. We don’t know. But at some point in her life, she moved into the temple. She may have looked crazy at first. Perhaps the temple authorities tried to send her home many times. But it did not work. She kept coming back to the temple. Then she started sleeping some where in the temple. Soon she began to tell prophecies and then the authorities could not ask her to leave any more. At this point when Jesus’ family came in, she never left the temple anymore. She was there fasting and praying. She became a mother of prayer for her nation, sacrificing everything, to live on just a few donations of food a day and offering prayers for any one who came to see her. When she recognized Jesus, however, her life changed too. Let’s read verse 38. “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.” After Anna met Jesus, she stopped telling prophecies about everyday things. From that day on, all she talked about was Jesus. Let’s pray for all prayer mothers to tell everyone about Jesus too.  

Today’s passage is a little different from Peter’s letter. It is much history about the beginning of Jesus’ life. We thank God for the people who loved Jesus and earnestly waited to see him when he was born. I can’t understand why there was not a large crowd around Jesus. The Shepherds in Bethlehem had told everyone about Jesus. But the news did not seem to make it to Jerusalem. If it did, clearly the majority of people, even the priest disregarded Jesus. He was already revealing the hearts of many. But there were some who saw the light of the world in Jesus and they came to praise God for him. We praise God for Jesus too. He is is our light and our glory. I pray we may live for him glory in him and hope to see him. I pray he will shine his light on each of us, and that we may shine his light to the ends of the earth in our generation.