The Right Messiah (Part 2) - [Luke 2:21-38]

The Right Messiah in Luke 2

Yourself I'd like to live a life to honor him and to be obedient and to be steadfast and to Say no to sin. This sermon is about the Lord Jesus because Luke is about the Lord Jesus the perfect Savior. Well, if we had to review chapter 2, how do we do that?

Well, very simply I just say this that there was a man named Caesar Augustus and he thought he ruled this area of the world but he was not really the main ruler because there's a ruler behind the ruler and that is the triune God and Caesar Augustus has a decree and he says everyone go to their hometown.

So that you can be registered to pay taxes and if you're not a Jew to be in the military well they all go to their hometown and lo and behold Jesus gets his but his parents get to Bethlehem and Jesus is born and they lay him in a manger.

The shepherds are told you'll find Jesus the Messiah laying in a manger. And all of a sudden out of nowhere all these angels show up in Luke 2 14. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom he's well pleased.

And so today we come to a section of scripture Luke 2 verses 22 and following. I think I'm going to Retitle the message a little bit add what we had two weeks ago and reformat it a little bit. And so here's the simple outline.

Jesus as Law Keeper

Let me give you seven names of Jesus. That's the outline. Seven names of Jesus and of course that truth is designed to do something and that truth is designed for you to say Oh, that's the right Jesus.

He's the fulfillment of the Old Testament. Here's who he is and how he loves me and cares for sinners. Here's who he is and how I can trust him even though I'm going through a certain trial. Seven names of Jesus.

To increase your assurance because that's what Luke wants you to do right in Luke 1 verse 4. We saw last week. Did we not or two weeks ago? The first name Jesus as law keeper. Let's use that for a name of Jesus.

Law-keeper and we're gonna highlight this a little bit more. I want this to be fastened to your heart riveted to your soul. Bonded to your mind to be reminded that Jesus is not just the person who pays for our law-breaking.

But he keeps the law. How many times is the word law used in chapter 2. Not just once not just twice. Not just three times. Not just four times. But yes, even five times. Law law law law law law law. She's five times here in this chapter more than the rest of the gospel of Luke put together.

Jesus was born under law. So he redeems those Under the law we learned two weeks ago. Jesus was a federal head a covenant head. He's not obeying the law for himself. He's already righteous. He comes to obey the law for others.

He's a public person like Adam was a public person. What he did. Adam affects others what Jesus did. Affects others. So Jesus comes not to abolish the law but to fulfill it and remember there's all kinds of law.

That's being fulfilled here even by his parents to show you that Jesus is the ultimate man. The ultimate Israelite and that if you were a Jew and you were reading this passage you wouldn't be saying to yourself.

You know what? He's some uncircumcised Philistine. He could never be the Messiah. Everything about Jesus is law-keeping when he's older and even his parents making sure the law is kept for him is designed to tell you He Jesus is the perfect law keeper.

What's looming behind the scenes? We don't keep the law. We're lawbreakers and we need a law keeper. Yes, someone to pay for our sins of law-breaking, but you need a law keeper so we see Jesus the law keeper he's Circumcised you see in verse 21 at the end of eight days.

He was circumcised. He was called Jesus and then that was the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Jesus certainly doesn't need spiritual cleansing on the inside which circumcision was designed to help us with.

He's already pure, but he's identifying with sinners. He's he's representing sinners and matter of fact if you're a Jew you'd be thinking I wonder who's greater Moses or Jesus. Now we know of course that Jesus was greater.

But you know Moses when he was a father he refused to circumcise his son thankfully his wife Helped him out in that regard at the lodging place on the way in Luke in Exodus 4 The Lord met Moses and sought to put Moses to death.

Then Zipporah Moses his wife took a flint and cut off her son's foreskin and touched Moses's feet with it and said Surely you're a bridegroom of blood to me. So let him alone. It was then that she said a bridegroom of blood because of the circumcision.

And you watch this and you think though Moses was great, but Jesus is even greater. He's come to identify with sinners. You can see that in Isaiah 53. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.

We esteemed him stricken smitten by God and afflicted. But he was crushed for our iniquities crushed for our transgressions. Remember the purification that we looked at a couple weeks ago in verses 22 to 24 every male.

Excuse me, and and when the time came verse 22 For their purification according to the law of Moses. They brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord and so Mary needs to be purified ritual cleansing and.

Then lastly we saw the presentation found in the middle middle of in the vittle. How are the vittles this morning? I'm looking forward to some. I've never said that word in 30 years from this pulpit vittles.

You want to have some vittles feel like I'm from Mississippi or something like Jethro Clampett or something have some vittles. Jesus is under the law. Not for himself, but for others and so God makes sure he's circumcised that there's ritual cleansing with Mary and for him and here.

Even this presentation every male who first opens verse 23 the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. Verse 23. Remember the backdrop for that Passover comes death angel firstborn is going to be killed without blood on top of the doorpost.

The Israelite babies are saved, and you say that baby saved. I present that baby back to the Lord. The Lord owes that baby. Lord could have killed the baby. But he saved that baby boy. God. Here's the baby and.

So if your son is not a Levite. Then you redeem that son. Here's how it happens. Instead of giving that son to the temple work and the work of the Lord to say you know what I'd much rather present Him to you than have him dead.

He's all yours Lord and off to the temple He goes, but if he can't serve in the temple because he's from the tribe of Judah you pay five shekels to the Lord. And receive him back and so here even the Lord Jesus the Redeemer is Redeemed.

He's the perfect Jew the perfect Israelite the perfect man. And this is important their congregation because God requires obedience. Obedience is important to God. God the Creator expects his creation us to obey.

The God who made you wants you to obey he requires it. Laws are to be kept. Standards are to be upheld. Obedience is not an option and We are going to need a law keeper. Matter of fact Hebrews quote in the Old Testament says to obey is better than what?

Sacrifice. Why is that now? We know sacrifice was ordained by God, and it's put in the plan, but theoretically speaking Let's just talk this way. No sacrifice is needed if there's obedience. If Adam obeys there's no need for God to kill the animals and clothe him if we perfectly obeyed if Adam perfectly obeyed.

What kind of sin is Jesus going to die for there's no disobedience to die for so to obey is better than sacrifice. Obedience is important. Hebrews 10 when Christ came into the world he said would you say when you came in the world?

Here's what Christ said. Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body. God the Father you've prepared for me in Burnt offerings and in sin offerings you've taken no pleasure. Then I said behold father.

I have come to do your will. In other words you're giving me a body so I can perfectly obey on behalf of others unlike Adam the Lord Jesus Said my food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.

Here's a question for you. Did Jesus obey the Ten Commandments. Here's another question. Where are the Ten Commandments in the Bible two places? Let's turn to Exodus 20 keep your finger in Luke 2. I want to just walk through Jesus the Lawkeeper for you to make you one number one impressed with Jesus and number two for you to say I have assurance as a Christian because even though I've failed this week and a fallen short and in fact sinned I Have Jesus the Lawkeeper.

Some of the Puritans used to say the sin of a Christian is a hundred times worse than the sin of an unbeliever. And they were trying to make the point with their that with their words that we sin against mercy we sin against grace.

We have the Spirit of God in us. We don't have to sin all sins bad. Of course, the point is how can we sin against one who've loved us so much? And so it's good to be reminded in the Ten Commandments.

That Jesus perfectly kept them for you. For me dear Christian, of course if you're not a Christian these promises aren't for you. We're trying to drive you to look to the Lord Jesus alone. If you can take Adam in the garden and the Ten Commandments, I I bet I could figure out how he broke all ten of those.

I Wonder if we could look at Jesus his life and say did Jesus keep the Ten Commandments? What about the first? Commandment by the way Adam disobeyed in the garden and Jesus obeyed in the wilderness and many other places.

Exodus 20 verse 3 you shall have no other gods before me. Does that sound like Jesus obeyed that? Remember when Jesus out worshiping the moon? Remember at night he worshipped the moon. He worshipped the Sun during the day Moloch in the afternoon Ashtaroth Baal and you say no, no, no.

Jesus never worshipped those he never worshipped money. He never worshipped other people. He actually said this is false worship. This is positive worship. Direct all your worship to the Father. Can't you see when you look at the Ten Commandments when you say you'll have no other gods before me.

That's the negative side. But there's a positive side of the Ten Commandments make sure you worship God with all your heart soul mind and strength. Isn't that what the Lord Jesus did? Aren't you glad for that because that's not what we do not before we were saved and not even when we're saved all the time.

How about the second commandment? Exodus 20 verse 4. You should not make for yourself a carved image or any likeness or anything that is in heaven above. Or that is an earth beneath or that is in the water.

Under the earth. I just look at that. I go. Of course, Jesus didn't do that. My Savior your Savior never did any that unlawful images of God making those things Pictures of God and and in forms of idols.

No, no, that's not what the Lord Jesus. Pure worship that the Lord had if you want to know what worship in spirit and in truth is like you just look at the Life of Jesus. I'm thankful for this because my worship isn't always pure.

How about the third commandment? Do you think Jesus obeyed the third commandment? Found in verse 7. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless. Who takes his name in Vain, we're not talking about swear words here.

Although that would it be included. But the the words that come from Jesus's life are our life and truth and they marveled at his words in his authoritative words speaking not just Wrong. He doesn't just speak wrongly about God.

He speaks rightfully and truthfully about God only as the Father has revealed him. I Wonder if Jesus kept the fourth commandment verse 8. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it. Holy As Was his custom. He went on the Sabbath.

Went into the temple on the Sabbath day. Into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. Jesus only doing what the Sabbath law required. Needs of mercy necessity. Grabbing and securing and Getting for us the eternal Sabbath.

Rest in Christ. I went about the fifth commandment. Did Jesus keep the fifth commandment? Verse 12. Honor your father and your mother that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God has given you.

Of course he did. I know you agree with all this but just to rehearse it and walk through the Ten Commandments again and to think even though I've broken These God the Son has kept those. He honored his father and mother.

Stepfather Joseph his mother Mary. What did Jesus do when he was on the cross? Making sure his mother was taken care of by John the Baptist because Joseph was most likely deceased. Do you think Jesus kept the sixth commandment?

You shall not murder. Of course. He did he didn't murder anyone. Matter of fact, he's a Savior. He rescues showing mercy and kindness. He sees sick people. He heals the exact opposite of taking life and demeaning life and murdering.

He gives and gives and gives. You think the Lord Jesus did exactly that. He kept the commandments. He filled the commandments. The seventh commandment. I Wonder if Jesus kept that. We've broken it. Will he did he?

Verse 14. You shall not commit adultery. Can you imagine is there one person on earth that's had proper thoughts about the subject? Right good pure holy. Honoring loving what's best for the other person wanting that.

And of course the answer is it's the Lord Jesus. I mean if you look at a woman with lust you've broken that law and Jesus never did. Eighth commandment. You shall not steal. I mean you look at Jesus life.

You don't think taking. You don't think grabbing. You don't think grasping. You don't think stealing. You think Giving. That's exactly right. Actually, he was so rich the gate became poor so that in our poverty you might become rich.

How about the ninth commandment? You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Did Jesus ever break that. Of course he did not. He was the truth teller. He only spoke the words that the Father gives him.

And then lastly the tenth commandment Verse 17 you shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife or his male servant or his female servant. Or his ox or his donkey or anything else it is your neighbors.

By the way everything in the universe is his. He still doesn't covet. I Want you to know dear Christian when you see these kind of laws you see the ten commandments you ought to be thinking. I Know I've broken those laws but Jesus has kept those laws for me as a representative and God the Father sees you as Holy and as righteous as he sees his son.

Dear believer I'm gonna say that again say well. I've defiled myself this week with a variety of different sins. I'm sorry to hear that repent and run straight back to the cross. But you say well, I wonder if got my relationship with the Father has changed.

I wonder if I can unsun myself or undaughter myself by breaking the law you have Christ Obedience credited your account. It's irrevocable. It's final we know what happens on Judgment Day and there's no condemnation for those in Christ because justification has happened and Justification means not only Jesus gets your sin credited to his account even though he didn't sin you get all Christ perfect Law-keeping credited your account.

That's good news. Because I know what I do left to myself. Do I have enough faith. Do I bear enough fruit of the Spirit. Do I I have saving faith. Do I read my Bible enough. Do I pray enough. Do I love enough.

Do I serve enough. Do I evangelize enough? Fine questions, I guess to initially ask yourself, but every one of those has to do with my law-keeping. None of those are the gospel. The gospel is this actually Jesus kept the law.

Yeah, the law-keeping is gospel if you can perfectly keep the law and actually Jesus did. If you want to know what your standing is before the Lord dear Christian, and this is your only question you ask yourself.

You're playing with fire. Do you love the Lord your God with all your heart soul mind and strength if that's your only question? I'm not saying you can't ask the question, but if that's your only question.

You're not gonna have much assurance if you're honest. But if the next question is Lord I I know the first question is do I love you like I should no. But I want to. I desire to. I strive to. I'm sorry when I don't I repent when I do.

But I'm thankful for the law keeper. Jesus the law keeper. Well, let's go back to Luke chapter 2 the second name that we looked at a little bit two weeks ago was consolation lawkeeper number one consolation number two seven names of Jesus Written put together to drive you to praise and thankfulness and understanding the passage even better.

The Consolation of Israel and the Holy Spirit

How do I know Jesus is the real Jesus will? Simeon and Anna are gonna help us are going to help us. Verse 25 in Luke chapter 2 now. There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout.

Was some wacko weirdo Waiting for the consolation of Israel here. That's the name of Jesus. That's the name of Jesus. That's the name of the Messiah and the Holy Spirit was upon him and had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit.

He would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. I Mean by the way, this is kind of a little mini miracle because in a land of sinners in a land of self-righteous in a land Of Pharisees in a land of legalism in a land of works righteousness.

There's a godly person. God has his remnant. His character before God men was right. I Love this little statement here one writer said while you can skim over those two words in a flash. Righteous and devout they reflect a lifetime of cultivation.

No one accidentally becomes righteous and about. And so certainly God working in Simeon. Simeon responding with obedience. And here Jesus is called the consolation of Israel and Simeon is waiting for such a man to need rescue to need comfort is to need the consolation of Israel.

And this is all language from Isaiah. I don't know why Steve got to read the good chapter of Isaiah today. Chapter 25 we had to all suffer through like 20 to 24. Of course all scriptures good. There's just such good news in 25 comfort my People says the Lord Isaiah 40 the Lord has comforted his people Isaiah 49.

This is the ultimate comfort forgiveness found. Old Testament promises Fulfilled and it says the Holy Spirit was upon him. Without giving a whole message on Pneumatology the study of the Holy Spirit. Here's what would happen off in the Old Testament the Holy Spirit would come upon a person to do something spectacular to do something Powerful or to be guided in a unique way.

We're not talking about how we're in dwelt with the Spirit or the Old Testament believers. Were they in dwelt? That's not the argument right now. But you're going to need the Holy Spirit upon you to direct you to figure out in the midst of the temple complex.

Which baby is? Jesus the Messiah. Because we don't even know that Simeon is told look for a little baby. The shepherds were told find a baby in Bethlehem in a manger, okay? Simeon is going to recognize the Messiah and He doesn't know how old that Messiah is going to be in my mind if the Lord said Mike you're going to see I'm living back in those days.

You're going to see the Lord's anointed before you die. I'm looking for a 30 year old frankly because he's going to be in public ministry by then are the inauguration of it. And here the Holy Spirit the third person of the Trinity comes upon Simeon for this special purpose.

The Holy Spirit had told him had revealed to him you're going to see the Lord's Christ before you die. By the way that would be pretty neat when then not the kind of the Lord you're going to see him before you die.

What joy and and consolation. Yes, and You know I wonder if I was told all right. You're not going to die until such-and-such happens. I mean would I go paragliding? Would I do things like that. Well.

That would be presumptuous and certainly this man was righteous and about so he's not going to do any of that. But he's longing he's waiting. We don't know how old he is. Tradition says he's 113 years old.

It doesn't matter. He's probably older and he's waiting. He's waiting. He's waiting. I'm going to see that son someday. And in a similar way we are given a promise not before we die, but this promise is true.

Beloved now we are children of God and has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when Jesus appears we will be like him because we will see him just as he is. What a way to live a joyous expectation.

I'm going to see that Messiah before I die will today be the day. You know it goes back to that old kind of joke you wake up in the morning. You say good morning Lord our good Lord. It's morning. I'm excited.

Oh. What a way to live what kindness of God for Simeon. We wait of course for the blessed. Hope the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Titus chapter 2 so verse 27. You could see it in your mind's eye.

Can't you he came in the spirit of the temple when the parents brought in the child Jesus? To do for him according to the custom of the law he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said How did he recognize that baby.

Was there a halo around the baby? Of course not spirit-directed spirit-revealing. This is all put together for Luke to make you say that's the right Jesus of course look even back in his infancy I can tell there's one Messiah.

I need a Messiah. It's Jesus Sovereignty of God in all this can't you see it? He comes in the temple it just so happens by luck by happenstance by fortune by fate and by Serendipity they're arriving together.

No, it's all the sovereignty of God. And he takes him in his arms and blesses God. He's got the whole world in his hands. He's got a little bitty baby in his hands. Well, that's a different song about a different thing.

He's got the baby in his hands that holds the whole world's in his hands. Including Simeon. Don't forget dear Christian. We have the divine nature of Christ upholding the universe. We're the human nature of Christ in the hands of Simeon.

I get to see the baby. I Get to see the baby. This is not in the Holy of Holies the word here for temple is this general temple courts? It could be in the court of the Gentiles court of the women. God is sovereign.

I Like what Spurgeon? Asks, that's a good question to ask. Did anybody ever who was not led by the Spirit find? Christ and of course we know the only way we found the Lord Jesus is by the Spirit of God seeking us and opening our hearts.

Taking him in his arms. He blesses God. This is the attitude of bless the Lord. Oh my soul and all that is within me. This is a worship hymn. Verse 29 Lord, which is a very interesting word for Lord. It's where we get our word despot.

But he's a sovereign despot. He's a beneficent despot. This is he's King. He's in charge. He's a sovereign master. Now you're letting your servant depart in peace. I'm able to die according to your word.

You're releasing me. It was used when they released Barabbas. Instead of Jesus you could release a prisoner. But here it means you're a sentry. You're on the lookout. You're watching for enemies and you're discharged from your post.

Somebody else is taking over relieved of your watch. By the way, that's a good way to think of life. It's a good way to think of ministry. Preach Christ until you're relieved of your watch. Jewish people and other Jewish people used to die would say go in peace or Go to peace.

That's an interesting one. Simeon seen it all and now he sees the Lord and can welcome death. Any practical parallels you can see with that he sees the Lord and now he can see death. We just read in Isaiah 25, did we not the fear of death swallowed up you see the Messiah swallowed up.

Depart in peace. See the Lord Jesus by faith ready for departure. Name number three Lawkeeper consolation. Name three salvation. For my eyes have seen your salvation. Luke 2 30. Kind of an interesting word for salvation here not that common.

It just means everything about salvation all pertaining to salvation everything. It's ordained decreed put together for salvation the whole package. He sees The little baby Jesus and says when it comes to salvation from a to Z.

I see your salvation. I see deliverance. I see rescue. I see forgiveness. Isaiah 52 that all the ends of the earth may see the salvation of our God. And as you notice here salvation is a person when I say gospel I mean person when I say salvation, I mean person not abstract thought the Lord Jesus.

And when he says this here's what he's also implying that there's no other salvation. There's no other way to get to heaven. And now something if you read your Bibles too fast, you're gonna miss verse 31.

That you have prepared in the presence of all the people. Remember he's praising God the Father for God the Son. That he gets to see and he says you've prepared. You know what that word prepared means?

It means God has determined salvation. Decreed salvation. Plan salvation. Chosen us before him before the foundation of the world language you do you've designed it all God. Before the eyes of all He keeps going.

Name number four Lawkeeper consolation salvation light all these things. You go home tonight and just say God. I thank you that you're my lock God the Son. I thank you. You're my lawkeeper. I thank you that you're the consolation of Israel and my consolation.

I'm thankful that you're my salvation. I think I'm thankful that you're my light. It's right there in verse 32. Do you see it a light for the revelation to the Gentiles? Gentiles the pagans need light they're walking around in spiritual what? darkness.

Ephesians 4 talks about Gentiles. They're darkened in their understanding alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them. They're one step removed from the promises of God to Israel.

They're far off and they're walking around in darkness and the light shines. Jesus is talked about as the light. Isaiah 9 we read at Christmastime very often the people who walk in darkness will see a great Light and we get the picture.

Those who live in a dark land the light will shine on them. Isaiah 60 arise shine for your light has come the Lord will rise upon you and his glory will appear before you. Even the Gentiles get saved words.

We said this is a missionary hymn not just the Jews. But Gentiles has always been the plan of God for God said light shall shine out of darkness is the one who has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge.

Of the glory of God in the face of Christ the promised light has come the light of the world. I Think that sounds like Jesus doesn't it sound like that to you? John 8 12 again Jesus spoke to them with a huge menorah in the background during the feast of Tabernacles that they would take down the menorah after the feast was over.

But there was another light of the world that was never going to be taken down. He said I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 1 4 in Jesus was life and the life was the Light of men you see it Light metaphor, and he's just blessing God simianus for that he goes on now for the Israelites.

If Jesus is a light to the Gentiles He's a glory for the people of Israel. Name number five law keeper consolation salvation light and now glory. You didn't have to think much if you were used to think of glory.

You think burning bush. You think pillar of cloud you think pillar of fire. You think the fire the temple Shekinah glory. You think Moses's face with the reflectiveness of that the glory of Israel. That's who Jesus is.

All the promises of Abraham all the prizes Isaac are all fulfilled in the glory of God. I Think that kind of sounds like Jesus to me. John 1 14. And the word became flesh and dwelt among us and we have seen his glory.

Glory as the only got son from the father full of grace and truth the only begotten son the glory Shekinah the presence of God. And now the camera pans back in verse 33 To a stepdad and his mother and his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.

I mean you're just going to present Jesus to the temple you're gonna Do what's right. Here comes Simeon here comes the blessing here comes the fulfillment. I know Mary had been given instructions before but just Letting it settle in and dawn on you.

I've had four children outside the womb and At six weeks old a lot of things have been said about Haley Luke Maddie and Gracie. But never anything like this good thing because I think you were a whack-a-mole.

Talking about this like a little bit. It's a little baby weak small tiny. I Find it fascinating that Simeon didn't even bless the baby. Talk about child dedications no child dedication here. It's praise to God the Father for this little one as bliss writes in his great song sing them over again to me wonderful words of life.

Well. So far everything about Jesus has been good news, but now there's some bad news for people that reject Jesus name number seven. Excuse me six. I don't know whether to call him a sign here our divider.

But both will do. Verse 34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother behold this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel and For a sign that is opposed and a sword will pierce through your own soul.

Also think Calvary. She was watching so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed. Number one. This is no accident. This is planned. And number two. There's no neutrality when it comes to Jesus. You're either for him by faith alone, or you're against him.

You say I want to live a moral life. I want to live a kind life. I want to do this that and the other but I will not bow my knee and confess Jesus as Lord. There's sorrow and anguish here. Not just personally for Mary as she has to watch her son in the future die on a cross.

But also for people Who live back in those days Jew or Gentile and people who live today Jew or Gentile including everybody in this room? The way you respond to Jesus determines your eternal destiny. Of course I know God is working behind the scenes, and he's the one granting faith, but you are the one that must believe.

No wonder John one he came to his own that is Jews. Jesus came to the Jews and the Jews received him not. But to them that did receive him he gave them power to become the sons of God. The rise and fall of many the dividing line the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus divides not just families not just nations but believers from unbelievers and. As we walk through the book of Luke you're going to see contrast after contrast after contrast. There's the tax collector, and there's the public there's the publican and there's the sinner right there praying in Luke 28.

This is going to be a sign. Pointing to the sender God the Father. What you do about the son? Matters. He's called a stumbling stone in Romans 9 Jesus is he's called a stumbling block in 1st Corinthians chapter 1 Jesus is he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces.

Matthew chapter 22 Jesus said look at the language of sword there for Mary's soul. To show you the intensity of the grief of Mary. A sword. This is a big sword. Kind that hurts a kind that divides the kind that you can lop a head off with and then lastly the seventh name.

Designed to give you comfort hope make sure you know this is the right Jesus. Redemption consolation is the second one law keepers the first salvation light glory divider and redemption. Now there's not just a man around who's going to be spirit Impelled, but there's a lady as well verse 36, and there's a prophetess Anna daughter of faneuil of the tribe of Asher she was advanced in years having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin and Then as a widow until she was 84.

She did not depart from the temple worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And so we're going to see that she also is going to attest the fact that Jesus is the Messiah. And coming up at that very hour.

She began to give. Thanks to God and to speak of him to all who are waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. Here's this lady Widowed for a long long time dedicated in temple service, and this doesn't mean she's living in the temple.

But you know it's sometimes. I could think to myself. I'm here at church so often I basically live here is the idea she's not living there living there, but she's just there all the time. It's not literal and she's there.

To confirm and to affirm yes in fact. This is the right Jesus Simeon witness one unheard of back in those days a woman witnessed to Two or three witnesses confirming the fact driven by impelled by the Spirit of God to say Jesus is the right Messiah Simeon.

Understands Anna understands, and they both proclaim it to all who will listen the great Redeemer. Speaking well of the Lord Jesus to all who would listen. For a long time she was waiting a long time she was waiting.

We even know what tribe she's from people say all the lost tribes of Israel. You'd never know didn't seem too lost there 84 years old she'd been married and now she proclaims Christ Law keeper consolation salvation light glory divider Redemption he's the Redeemer.