Luke 2 22 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 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 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.” 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 on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 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, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” 33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 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, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty- four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 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. 39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

22 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 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 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.” 39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law Uprightness of Josesph and Mary TRUST You don’t get here without having WAITED on the LORD!

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 on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 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, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” Waiting Consolation – paraclesis (encouragement) – from paraclete - One who represents another in court, close beside, gives evidence that stands up in court Now dismiss – Simeon is settled. End. Trust. Your servant/slave – Simeon sees himself as a freed slave upon meeting Jesus as an infant! Salvation – soterian – neuter form. Inclusive

The thoughts of many hearts will be revealed Luke points out the heart throughout the Gospel. Jesus questions hearts. What are your thoughts about Jesus? Will you let Jesus be who he is? Do we trust who he is and what he teaches or do we need to put our own disclaimers on it?

36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 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. Prophetess, Piety is outstanding Anna and Simeon have spent their lives waiting for God’s Kingdom. Praying and fasting. Reminder of Ruth Gives thanks and tells everyone about this baby. What is redemption? What are you bought back from?

“God is doing something new, but it is not really new, because hope is always joined to memory, and the new is God’s keeping an old promise.”

Isaiah 11 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of the L ORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the L ORD — 3 and he will delight in the fear of the L ORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; 4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. 5 Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. 6 The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.

Isaiah 40 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the L ORD ’s hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the L ORD ; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5 And the glory of the L ORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the L ORD has spoken.”

Isaiah 9 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the L ORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Isaiah 52 The L ORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.

The future and the now of Salvation The great thing about salvation is that it comes completely in a moment, but it also comes again and again and in a million different ways.

Salvation Man at pool? – Which is better, a hard shove or Jesus? Relationships – God sought us out in relationship. Will we seek him out in relationship? Will we seek him out in human relationships? Paraclete – One who is close enough to the situation to give evidence that stands up in court, Evidence that shows you to be not guilty! - Also used for the Holy Spirit in the NT. For us today, when we wait on the LORD, it is only through the Spirits power and encouragement that we can wait and expectantly hope.

Isaiah 40:31 but they who wait for the L ORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. probably originally twist, stretch, then of tension of enduring, waiting For Anna it was fasting and praying for 50, 60, 70, 84 years What does active waiting look like?