Salvation for All

(Luke 2:25-38)

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Isa. 53:6, see also Rom. 3:9-19)

But God’s love and redemptive plan extends to all people and he calls all people to
repentance (2 Pe. 3:9)

He reaches out to all who are lost (Ezek. 18:23; 33:11;1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pe. 3:9; Isa.30:17-18)

God is a tender, patient, loving father (Hos. 11:1 & 3-4) who diligently keeps reaching
out to the lost (Luke 15: 4 & 8; 19:10; Matt. 18:11; Mark 2:17;Ezek.34:11-12, 16; Job
33:27-28; Isa. 49:15)

We exist and we are His children because He first loved us (Hos. 11:1, Deut. 7:7-9, 1
John 4:19)

We are His treasured possession (Ex. 19:5-5, 1 Pe. 2:9-10)

God had good plans for us (Jer.29:11-12)

His “cords” are restraints of love intended to preserve and protect us (Hos.11:3)

When we fall, He reaches down to pick us up and hold us (Hos. 11:3-4, Deut.1:31)

baqash {baw-kash'} Heb. reach out for, seek to hold or touch (see also Rom.
10:21)

As an act of love and grace, He bends down to ease our yoke, to heal and care for
us

God’s calls to us are an act of love and mercy (Hos. 11:1, Ex. 34:6-7)

We were bought for a price (Deut. 32:6, John 3:16)

He finds joy in bringing home the lost (Luke 15:5)

Once we are found and adopted as sons or daughters of the Father, our status as such is
secure, based on His grace and not upon our works (Luke 15:31; John 10:28)

He invites us to rejoice with Him because He has recovered His lost (Luke 15:6 &
9; 23-24, 32)
Simeon (means “he that hears and obeys” and/or “he that is heard”)

Righteous (Luke 2:25) - usually used in reference to behavior towards other people

Devout (Luke 2:25)- usually used in reference to behavior towards God. From the Greek,
eulabes, meaning careful, serious and scrupulous in worship (Compare 2 Pe. 3:11-12)

Had an intimate, personal relationship with God which prompted and

enabled him to respond to God’s leading.

Waiting (Ps. 130, Isa. 30:18, Lam. 3:25-26, Micah 7:7, Luke 12:35-40, Rom. 8:22-
25, James 5:7)

For the consolation of Israel (Luke 2:25)

Consolation speaks to those longings for healing and restoration from all
the past losses and miseries of life.

Consolation is the translation of paraklesis. In other instances of this word

it is translated “comfort.”

To comfort often refers to a shoulder to cry on or a blanket to warm. Nice

gifts to be sure, but not as valuable as the older meaning of the word
comfort, which is strengthening aid. The word “comfort” is made up of
two parts, “com” and “fort.” The idea is to come along side to help fortify.

Redemption is the translation of lutroo and signifies the actual act of

deliverance as ransom is paid. As Luke begins this passage with the phrase
“Consolation of Israel” and ends it with the phrase “Jerusalem’s
redemption” he accentuates the value and impact of this great gift in hopes
that the reader will recognize God’s salvation.

He lived in expectation of God’s promised deliverer

What’s held in the heart affects what the eyes see and the ears hear.

God prepares the heart to receive Christ by stirring up a longing for

consolation & redemption.

Those who are waiting, watching and expecting to find Jesus are able to
see Him when others are not.

God’s timing (Hab. 2:3)

God orchestrated the coming together of Simeon, Anna, Mary,)

Revealed to Him

Not die before see the Lord’s Christ (Luke 2:26)

 Moved Him

To go to the temple(Luke 2:27)

(note: Simeon, Elizabeth, Zechariah, John the Baptist are all said to have been
filled with the Holy Spirit before Pentecost)

Peace

Why can he now die in peace? (Luke 2:29)

He was used by God to be a credible witness of Jesus’ messiahship.

Prophecy/Affirmation?

What did Simeon see? (Luke 2:30-32)

Salvation (Luke 2:30)

Simeon not only recognized the value of God’s gift but he also
recognized the immediacy of the gift. “Now,” the first word
in verse 29, marks a turning point in Simeon’s life. In 2 Cor.
6:2, Paul wrote, “now is the time of salvation.”

In Sight of all people (Luke 2:31)?

Light of Revelation to the Gentiles (Luke 2:32, Isa. 42:1 & 6,

49:6, 60:1-3)

Child Destined to cause falling & rising (Luke 2:34)

Spoken against (Luke 2:34)

Thoughts of many hearts revealed (Luke 2:35, 1 Cor. 4:5)

Sword will pierce your own soul (Said to Mary) (Luke 2:35)

Picture in your mind, the shadow of the cross over the baby
Jesus

“Many would fall” describes the life of those who refuse God’s gift.

Rejection of salvation brings death as we receive the “wage of sin”

(Rom. 6:23).
 “Many will rise” describes the life of one who is reconciled to God by
accept God’s free gift of salvation through Jesus, the Christ. They
become a “new creation”; old things have passed away, and look,
new things have come (2 Cor. 5:17).

We can live a new life NOW, not just in the future or after our
physical death and resurrection. (Rom. 6:4, 8:11)

Though our former master, sin, constantly seeks to reclaim us.

God leads His own

nachah {naw-khaw'} Heb. = lead, guide, put/place, govern and correct.

God knows our weaknesses/vulnerabilities and if we let Him lead, He will help us
steer clear of situations that are likely to harm us spiritually, and thereby possibly
diminish our faith in Him (1 Cor. 10:12-13)

Following God’s lead protects us from both seen and unseen dangers.

If you will only let God lead you, He will perfect that which is lacking in you.

Following God’s lead will bring blessings and will set you above and apart from the
world. Failing to do so, will make you accursed and be overcome by the world (Deut. 28)

God, our Great Shepherd, leads with both strength and gentle affection (Isa.40:10-11)

Those whom God leads, and who follow, He also “keeps” (Gen. 28:15)

Shamar {shaw-mar'}Heb. keep, guard, treasure, preserve, protect, retain,

save, watch over, celebrate

God leads us in a way that is consistent with His merciful nature, covering
and sustaining us (Isa. 49:10)

We may not always understand why He chooses a particular route for us to travel, but we
can be sure of the ultimate destination. God will ultimately lead us away from the path to
death unto the way to eternal life.

God has both the desire and the ability to lead us unto eternal life (Rev.7:17)

We should desire and pray to be led by God (Ps. 5:8; 25:5; 27:11; 31:3; 43:3; 61:2; 67:4;
139:24; 143:10; Matt. 6:13; Luke 11:4)
Anna (name means “gracious” or “giving”)

Prophetess (Luke 2:36) One of a very small. Select group of female prophets
mentioned in the Bible.

Daughter of Phanuel (Luke 2:36) Means “Face of God”

Tribe of Asher (Luke 2:36) - One of the “lost tribes” after the Assyrian captivity.
Considered to be wealthy and not particularly devout. No prophets or judges came out of
this tribe.

Old (Luke 2:36)

Married 7 years (Luke 2:36)

Widow until 84 (Luke 2:37)

Never left temple (Luke 2:37)

Worshipped day and night

Fasting and praying (Luke 2:37)

An indication of a heart that is grieving and/or possessed of an earnest longing.

Gave thanks to God (Luke 2:38)

Customarily, the Jews’ prayers begin with thanking and praising God and
acknowledging His glory.

We should thank God often for His gift of salvation.

Spoke about the child

To all looking for the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:38)

Redemption speaks to our need to be delivered from the powers that still
hold us in bondage. (Luke 1:68: Zechariah’s prophecy)

Old Simeon & Anna being present at the presentation of the baby Jesus may serve to
symbolize the coming together of the old and new, the transition from an age of hope based
on the Law and the Prophets to the age of salvation through God’s gift of Jesus Christ.
People cannot remain neutral concerning Jesus

We are all called to make a choice (Deut. 30:19,20, Moses just before his death, Joshua
24:15, at age 95). To get off the fence, not to waver (1 Kings 18:21, the Hebrew word
translated as waver here literally means to be lame or limp), not to remain lukewarm
(Rev 3:15-16).

The choice is ours, as are the consequences (Deut. 28:1-14, blessings, Deut. 28:15-68),
curses, see also Exodus 20:4-5)

The eternal impact of not receiving Him is terrible.

People’s response to Jesus reveals what is contained in their hearts

God is not a fan of deferred decisions. "Choose you this day..." The time element often
has a bearing upon our opportunity of choice. Sometimes the passage of time closes
doors. (2 Cor. 6;2; Hebrews 4:7, Psalm 95:7-8. Ecc. 12:1)

Therefore, we must urgently do our utmost to lead people to receive Him

The time to reach out to others for Jesus is now! (John 4:35-36)

We have only give the invitation “Come and see”, based upon our own personal witness.
(John 4:29)

Jesus himself will be the one to change the hearts (John 4:42)

Never stop praying for people, even up to the last instant (Luke 23:39-43, 1 Tim. 2:1-4)

Persistence demonstrates faith.

We must pray for others while we still can (Isa. 55:6)