After Bethlehem – What Child is This that is being Revealed?

Sermon Title: After Bethlehem – What Child is This to Reveal?

Good News Statement: God calls us to reveal Jesus to all people

Preached: Sunday, December 29th, 2024 at Dogwood Prairie UMC & Seed Chapel UMC

Pastor Daniel G. Skelton, M.Div.

 

Scripture (NRSVUE): Luke 2:22-35 Today’s scripture reading comes from the Gospel of Luke who introduces us to a man named Simeon who not only presents the new born Christ to the Lord, but reveals him to all people. May we find ways in 2025 to reveal who Jesus is in our life. Our scripture reading is Luke Chapter Two, Verses Twenty-Two thru Thirty-Five. May the hearing and understanding of this scripture add a blessing to your life.

 

Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.[a] 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon[b] came into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon[c] took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

29 “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word,
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31     which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul, too.”

This is the Word of God for the People of God; And all God’s people said, “Thanks be to God.”

 

 

Introduction:

The announcement has been made, Mary has given birth to her firstborn son and has wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger. The  heavenly host of angels have sung, “Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace among those whom he favors” (Luke 2:14). The shepherds have received “good news of great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10), they have traveled to Bethlehem to witness what took place, and they shared with Mary, before “glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:20), news that she treasured and pondered in her heart (Luke 2:19). Christ has been born, in the city of David, to a people that need to be transformed.

To commemorate that special day, a few days ago, the Christ Candle was lit. This candle is more than just a symbol of hope, peace, joy, and love: it represents a source of light that no amount of darkness can prevail over nor cover. Through this Candle, Christ has entered our life: “And the Word became flesh and lived among us…” (John 1:14). With Christ now fully present in our life, we must not wait to reveal who Christ is to us. We must not wait to reveal who Christ is to our church. We must not wait to reveal what Christ is calling us to do. We must not wait to find ways to keep his light shining as we enter a New Year: a year filled with accomplishments, successes and failures, joy and pain, new beginnings and restarts, and good news and doubt. We must not wait to pass along the “good news of great joy to all people” through what we do and what we say.

Today, is the last Sunday of December. Not only is it the last Sunday of December, but it is the last Sunday before we welcome in the New Year. Some of you are excited to put 2024 on the shelf and move on, possibly saying “Good riddance”. Others of you may want to hang on to 2024 because it was the best year of your life. And yet, others of us may be on the fence on what to do with 2024: there were some really good moments that we want to carry into 2025 but at the same time not all of 2024 needs to travel with us into the New Year.

I understand where you are. For me this year began with news that my last living grandparent was put on hospice, but now she has been removed from hospice care and is doing much better. This year Emily and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary and to celebrate that day we did something that brought us together, we played in the Robinson Community Band. For the first time in over a decade, my immediate family took a vacation together and stayed under the same roof for an entire week. (That was an interesting experience!) Emily and I received some news during the Fall that required some deep discernment and prayer: news that could have changed things drastically. This year I officiated for four funerals, all of which brought tears to my eyes. And for the first time, I travelled to the east coast, to Maine of all places, to attend a wedding and shop at an L.L. Bean store that is open 24/7. There have been some milestone moments in 2024 but there have also been some moments that I didn’t want to experience but needed to.

Today, we look forward to the future as individuals and as a church. Today, we find ways to reveal who Jesus is and what Jesus does for us and the church. Today, we think about how we will reveal Jesus Christ in 2025.

 

Body:

If you are like me, it’s usually toward the end of the year that I begin thinking about some New Year’s Resolutions that I want to accomplish, start doing, stop doing, should be doing so that I can become a better version of myself. According to recent research published by insideoutmastery.com, 59% of young adults—ages 18-34—have New Year’s Resolutions, 48% want to exercise more, 23% quit their resolution in the first week—only 36% make it past the first month—and only 9% successfully keep their New Year’s Resolutions. Finding ways to improve who we are seems as if it is part of our DNA. And the way we can do that is to make New Year’s Resolutions for ourselves.

However, what would the New Year look like if our New Year’s Resolutions’ list didn’t begin with physical improvements—as a majority of Americans tend to do—but rather with spiritual improvements? What would 2025 look like if we focused more on revealing Christ than hiding Christ? What would 2025 look like if we spent time answering the question that composer William Chatterton Dix asked in his rather famous hymn, “What Child Is This?” Who is Jesus to you? And how will Jesus reveal himself to you in 2025?

As you think about these questions, I invite you to consider the story of Simeon, a man, who was called to serve the Lord, and who for a majority of his life was waiting to complete his New Year’s Resolutions’ list: he was waiting to meet the Christ child.

Movement One: Mary, Joseph, and Simeon…

Today’s passage shows Mary and Joseph bringing their child to the Jerusalem Temple. This would have been at least 33 days after the circumcision of their child on the 8th day (cf. Leviticus 12:1-8). In presenting their child at the Jerusalem Temple they are offering sacrifices as a form of prayer and dedication of their child.

Luke notes the parents do not offer the required lamb sacrifice but the exception to the poor of doves and pigeons. Obviously, Mary and Joseph had not received the gifts (gold, frankincense, myrrh) of the Magi yet. So, they gave what they could. This event was like any other, with likely other families dedicating their child on that same day. But maybe they didn’t expect God to respond so quickly as He did, confirming that God did, indeed, have plans for Jesus – plans to accomplish the incredible rescue God had prepared. It’s profound, really. Mary and Joseph present Jesus to the Lord. And the Lord gives him right back as a Savior, a gift He’d prepared from eternity past. However, the uniqueness of this event was a man waiting to see the Christ child.

The man waiting is Simeon. His name comes from Hebrew “shema,” which means to “listen and obey;” or “Yahweh has heard” (Gen 29:33). Luke tells us a little more. Simeon was righteous and devout; Simeon looked forward to Israel’s consolation; and Simeon was filled with and guided by the Holy Spirit. Simeon had been waiting for comfort and pardon and the end of warfare with God. Now, seeing the God-infant, Jesus, he knew that his wait was over. He could die in peace, having seen the Christ and trusting that the promised salvation had arrived. But more than that, “Simeon (could) entrust himself to death, knowing that life and immortality (had) been brought to light through the gospel.”[1] With the arrival of Jesus, death would not be the end of the story for God’s people.

But just as certainly as Jesus’ arrival meant the coming of comfort for God’s people—and the realization that Christ’s arrival meant Simeon’s departure—Simeon also understood that Jesus’ arrival meant conflict—painful conflict, conflict in which there is no open, middle ground. This is a difficult truth to embrace. But Simeon understood one important thing: that Jesus came to divide as much as to save.. What Simeon understands is that Jesus was revealed to reveal. He reveals our hearts because when we encounter Jesus, he always draws out a response.

We hear Simeon’s response in the form of a song in Luke 2:29-32: “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

Personally, I’m convicted by Simeon. There are many times when I am impatient and would likely rush God’s timing or worse, attempt to solve circumstances with human solutions. I feel as if I don’t wait for a response to come from God. I don’t have words of praise or even a hope filled with the light of revelation. In contrast, Simeon was a man of prayer, patience and persistence in following the Holy Spirit’s leadership in his life. One of my prayers for the New Year is to become more like Simeon in listening for the voice of God—in Scripture and in circumstances—to respond to his response for my life.

Maybe, something similar is on your New Year’s to do list? Maybe you are seeking ways to better listen to what God is calling you to do? Maybe God has been presenting you with different situations this past year that are building up for a change in 2025? Maybe 2025 is the year of waiting, having patience, and being persistent? Maybe 2025 is the year where you do more listening than acting on selfish ambitions? Simeon is more than a simple character in the story of Jesus’ upbringing. Simeon is a representation of who God needs us to be: the one who reveals Christ to the people. Are you willing to reveal Christ to someone you meet in 2025?

 

Movement Two: What Child is This?

Although Simeon is a simple character, and only makes an appearance in this portion of the Gospel of Luke, he is an important figure in the story of Christ because it is he who presents Jesus to service of the Lord. Simeon, like Zechariah and John the Baptist, waited for his moment of glory, and once he received it he understood the power of God’s workings in his life. Essentially, he realized that the one revealed comes from the one who doesn’t break promises, who doesn’t ignore prayers, and who has a response to our situations if we wait and lean on him. As important is Simeon is to the story, understanding who this child is that is presented is more important. From our Scripture passage, we can sort of answer the question proposed by William Chatterton Dix, “What child is this?”

First, Luke 2:21 states, “When the eighth day came, it was time to circumcise the child, and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” There are many others who have had the name Joshua (Yeshua) which is Jesus in Hebrew in the Bible. For example, Joshua, a follower of Moses, is the one who leads the people around the city of Jericho until the walls came tumbling down. When Jesus is put before the people prior to his crucifixion, we read from Matthew 27:16-17, “At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Jesus Barabbas. So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, ‘Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?’” Although there are other “Joshuas” and “Jesuses” in the Bible, there is only one Savior. Salvation is found in no one else beyond Jesus (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). It is at the name of Jesus that trees clap their branches and mountains will bow in worship to their Creator, wind and waves will obey His word, demons will be defeated, evil will end, and disease and death will become extinct. There is power in the name of Jesus! There is power when we reveal his name.

Second, Luke 2:22-24 suggests that the child, Jesus, is the human son to poor parents: “[Mary and Joseph] brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord…and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.’” Mary and Joseph simply offered what they could afford, similar to how we give to the Lord with what we can. There’s a lesson there, but what I hope you take to heart is that Jesus, the Word made flesh, came to dwell among us as a human. He will identify and empathize with us in every way (cf. Philippians 2:4-7; Hebrews 4:14-16). Jesus takes on flesh and will endure the problems and pains of this world, just like us. He understands sorrow and grief over the death of a parent and loved ones, the hurts of friends, the heartache of rejection of enemies and supposed friends, and the agony of unjust mistreatment and murder. The incarnation reminds us God cares for every person and every problem in our life. Jesus is with you every step of the way. For 2025, why not reveal to yourself and others that Jesus is not only divine but that he was a human and that he is simply asking that we present to him what we can.

Third, Luke 2:25-26 highlights that the child, Jesus, presented to Simeon is a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Luke writes, “Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.” The Holy Spirit was revealed to Simeon, and through this revelation Simeon would have more than likely recalled scriptures from past Prophets: Prophets such as Isaiah and Zechariah.

Isaiah wrote, “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us, authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Great will be his authority, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom….” (Isaiah 9:6-7). A few chapters later, Isaiah stated in 11:1, “A shoot shall come from the stump of Jesse.” And Zechariah noted, God Himself, in the person of the Messiah, will come to earth and people “will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son” (Zechariah 12:10, NIV).

Jesus is the one promised from ages past, all throughout the Scriptures with every story whispering His name. He’s the greater Moses to lead God’s people into the eternal Promised Land. He’s the greater king to rule with righteousness and will never leave the throne. He’s the great high priest who offers the perfect and final sacrifice for sin with His own body. Jesus is the fulfillment of all the Old Testament heroes and prophecies. The birth of Jesus reminds us we can bank on God to keep promises. In 2025, make a priority to reveal the realization that Jesus is here to say and that he will fulfill the promises he has promised to you in some way.

Fourth, Luke 2:31 stated, “which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples…” Jesus is the Jewish Messiah to rescue captive Israel and redeem contrary Gentiles. He would save all peoples from every nation, tribe, and tongue (Revelation 5:9-10).[2] This is probably why the Shepherds were told by the angel, “I will bring you good news of great joy for all the people” and why we read at the end of Matthew’s Gospel, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the a name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:18-20).

It’s in the temple that Jesus is revealed to all people. It’s in the church that Jesus is revealed to all people. It’s in your heart that Jesus is revealed to you and to all people. It’s in the world by which Jesus should be revealed to all people. But how well have we done that? Have there been opportunities in your life (and within the church’s life) by which you missed the chance to reveal Jesus to someone? And what I mean by that, is to simple tell someone about Jesus and to act like Jesus. In 2025, make a priority to reveal Jesus to as many people as possible.

Fifth, Luke reminds us, “And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed…’” (Luke 2:33-34). Simeon prophesied the destiny of Jesus to be “the fall and rise of many…a sign that is opposed.” In other words, one’s reception or refutation of Jesus will cause their eternal separation. The wheat will be separated from the chaff (Matthew 13:24-30); the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:32); the faithful servant from the unfaithful (Matthew 24-25). The reality of prophesied rejection of the Christ reminds us we have one audience to please and not to fear man greater than God.

The New Year will come with challenges, struggles, defeats, and doubt, pain, and sorrow; but it will also come with joy, happiness, cheerfulness, successes, new beginnings, and restoration. But in all things, we must not let ourselves oppose the one who is with us through everything, the one as Paul notes, “holds all things together” (Colossians 1:17). Jesus is with us in our falling and rising. He is with us in the bad and good times. He is with us in all moments of life. How will you, in 2025, remind yourself that Jesus is not one to be opposed but is one to call upon? Will you pray more? Get involved in the church? Get involved in a Bible Study? Create opportunities to gather with others outside of Sunday mornings? Read scripture more? Find ways to start new ministries or projects within the church? How will you keep Jesus part of your daily life? In 2025, reveal to yourself how much you need to Jesus in your life.

Sixth and lastly, Luke informs us, “…so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul, too” (Luke 2:35). The life of Jesus would be like a sword, piercing the soul. Mary’s heart was pierced when she saw her son suffering and die on a cross. Mary had unimaginable sorrow and the disciples had undeniable disappointment. Yet, their mourning would turn into marvel at the resurrection of Jesus. The cross of Jesus reminds us our faith path is along the road of suffering with great hope of redemption.

Simply put, Simeon knew that the child he was holding would one day die for our transgressions, be pierced and wounded on our behalf, so that we may be set free: free to realize that Christ was born and died for you, me, and all people. Our suffering and disappointments will expire but the trust and faith found in the message on the cross will never expire. As a matter of fact, it will continually be revealed within us, within you, if and only if you don’t give up on what Jesus has laid upon your heart. Simeon waited his entire life, just like Zechariah and Elizabeth waited their entire life to have a child, to reveal the promise and hope of God’s son. In 2025, find some way, each day, to realize that Christ died on the cross for you: he took away your sins so that you could be forgiven, saved, and be granted a love that is unconditional.

What took place at the temple, several days after the birth of Jesus Christ, is what Christ needs us to do. He is calling us to not only present  who he is, like Simeon did, but to reveal who he is like the Shepherds did on that first Christmas night. This simple story about a man who waited his entire life to bless Jesus Christ provides us some interesting things to consider as we make our New Year’s Resolutions. As followers of Christ and members of his Church, are challenge for 2025 is to find ways to reveal who Jesus is and what Jesus does. We are to reveal the power of his name, reveal him to as many people as possible, reveal that he is here to stay, reveal that he is not only divine by human as well, and reveal to yourself how much you need him in your life. That’s a powerful list, but I know you can and we can do all these things and so much more in 2025!

 

Movement Three: What Comes Next For Us as a Church?

You may be asking yourself, “Well how do you know we can do all these things and so much more?” Well let me remind you of what we have done already.

Dogwood Prairie UMC: We successfully updated the current restrooms in the Youth Building to be more handicapped accessible with the help of the Conference’s Committee on Disability. After much deliberation and conversation regarding the church’s finances, you all have come together, through your commitment and dedication, to bring our church out of the red. This past May we dedicated the playground which the kids love to play on. In October, we handed out over 100 bags to local farmers and held our second annual Trunk-or-Treat event. With the help from the congregation, the children were able to enjoy a lock-in and were able to go bowling and enjoy lots of great snacks back in March. Our Determination letter was approved—and was that a project! We went caroling again and had our annual Christmas Program which more than 70 people were in attendance. We helped financially support local and nationwide organizations. Our nursing home ministry is the talk of Brookstone and Ridgeview. Our help with the Food Pantry has been a huge blessing. And we are now talking about our future structural projects.

I don’t think you realize the impact that this church has had and continues to have on the community. We are transforming lives. We are transforming the church. We are transforming and edifying people into disciples. We have found ways to present  Jesus through what we do as a church to the community, but now the question becomes, “What do we need to do, as a church, to continue to find ways to reveal who Jesus is and who we are?” What can we start doing to truly be the church that God is calling us to be?

 

Call to Action:

For the past several weeks, you may have noticed in your bulletin that I am seeking to schedule a church wide meeting. This meeting is for the church to see where it is now and to think about where it wants to be in the future, specifically in 2025. Together, as the church, we will share updates regarding the church, what projects we are currently working on, what sort of projects we want to consider for the New Year, what is working and not working in the church, what should stay the same and what needs to be changed, and how we can fulfill this theme, “Gathering Together.” Remember, this is your church. If you want your church to be here for future generations, then what can we do today to make sure that that comes true for tomorrow?

I will do whatever I can to make sure we are forever the church that God needs us to be and that this community needs. But I will be honest with you, it won’t be easy and it will involve making sacrifices. However, I know we can do it. I know we can find ways to reveal Jesus in 2025 in our church, in our ministries, and in our life. But are you willing to gather together to make your ideas and suggestions a reality?

 

Conclusion:

In conclusion, with Christ now fully present in our life, we must not wait to reveal who Christ is to us. We must not wait to reveal who Christ is to our church. We must not wait to reveal what Christ is calling us to do. We must not wait to find ways to keep his light shining as we enter a New Year: a year filled with accomplishments, successes and failures, joy and pain, new beginnings and restarts, and good news and doubt. We must not wait to pass along the “good news of great joy to all people” through what we do and what we say.

So, as you consider what might be included on your resolution list for the New Year, I encourage you to keep Simeon in mind; and consider how you can reveal the power of Jesus’ name, reveal him to as many people as possible, reveal that he is here to stay, reveal that he is not only divine by human as well, and reveal to yourself how much you need him in your life. That’s a powerful list, but I know you can and we can do all these things and so much more in 2025! Let’s gather together to reveal who Christ is and what Christ is calling us to do!  Let it be so…

 

Closing Prayer:

Let us pray: Dear God, we are your people. We are here to reveal who is Jesus and what Jesus is calling our church to do for all people. I pray that you guide and bless all those here in 2025 in such a way that brings them closer to you so that what you have promised them comes true. In your precious name we pray, Amen.

 

Benediction:

Over the next few days, take time to check your calendars and let me know if either January 7th, 21st, 28th, or another day works best for you to have a church wide meeting. I would really like to have as many people present as possible. In the meantime, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit go forth seeking ways to reveal Jesus Christ in 2025. And all God’s people said, Amen. Amen. Amen.

Happy New Year Everyone!

 

 

[1] https://www.gracefv.com/sermons/sermon/2013-12-29/luke-2:22-35—revealed-to-reveal

[2] Gentiles are no longer outsiders but are brought near by the blood of Jesus, and His grace reconciles human divisions (Ephesians 2:12-13). 


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *