Simeon & Anna: Christmas Perfect
Focusing on the period immediately following the birth of Jesus as recorded in Luke chapter two. The message emphasizes that God’s perfect plan continued through the early life of Christ, specifically highlighting how Mary and Joseph strictly followed the Law of Moses during his consecration. Pastor Tim introduces the biblical figures Simeon and Anna, describing them as righteous and devout individuals who recognized Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah and consolation for the world.
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Study Guide: God's Perfect Plan Continues
This study guide provides a comprehensive review of the sermon based on Luke chapter 2, verses 22-39. The sermon explores the events immediately following the birth of Jesus, focusing on his presentation at the temple and the encounters with Simeon and Anna. It highlights the continuation of "God's perfect plan" and the profound theological truths revealed in these early moments of Jesus's life.
Short-Answer Quiz
Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2-3 complete sentences, drawing your information directly from the provided source material.
What specific sacrifice did Mary and Joseph offer at the temple, and what did this reveal about their circumstances and the nature of God's law?
The sermon distinguishes between two types of sin. Define the "sin of commission" and the "sin of omission" as explained by the speaker.
How did the consecration of the firstborn male connect to the historical experience of the Jewish people in Egypt?
How does the speaker interpret the description of Simeon as both "righteous" and "devout"?
What is the meaning of the "consolation of Israel," and why was Simeon waiting for it?
The speaker mentions Simeon was promised he would see the Messiah before he died, not that he wouldn't die after seeing him. What is the "tension" that this illustrates for believers?
What was so significant about Simeon's proclamation that Jesus would be a "light of revelation to the Gentiles"?
According to the speaker's observation, what qualities does God often seem to look for in the people he chooses to carry out his promises?
What did Simeon prophesy directly to Mary regarding her own future?
What did the commentator Joel B. Green suggest about the meaning behind Anna's constant fasting and praying?
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Answer Key
Mary and Joseph offered "a pair of two doves or two young pigeons." This was significant because the standard sacrifice was a lamb, but the law provided this alternative for those who did not have the resources for a lamb. The speaker notes the irony that while they couldn't afford a lamb, they were in fact bringing "the lamb," Jesus Christ.
A "sin of commission" is a sin one actively commits, like screaming at another driver in anger. A "sin of omission" is when one fails to do the good they are supposed to do, as referenced in the book of James. The sermon emphasizes that Jesus kept the law perfectly by avoiding both types of sin.
The consecration of the firstborn male was a reminder of the Exodus story, when God was delivering his people from slavery in Egypt. The final plague was the death of every firstborn, but the families who had the blood of the lamb on their doorposts were passed over, leading to the "Passover."
The speaker suggests that the author of Luke used two distinct words to convey a complete picture of Simeon's character. "Righteous" is interpreted as describing his upright interactions with other people, while "devout" described his relationship and interactions with God, meaning he did a good job "loving God and loving others."
The "consolation of Israel" refers to the comfort for the deep disappointment the nation of Israel felt after being repeatedly oppressed by foreign powers like Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and, at that time, Rome. Simeon was waiting for the Messiah, who would bring this comfort by establishing an eternal, heavenly kingdom rather than an earthly one.
This illustrates the "tension of the already, but the not yet." Believers get to walk in a relationship with God on this earth (the "already"), but the promise is not completely fulfilled, and the fullness of the kingdom will only come after Christ's return (the "not yet"). The sermon encourages believers to live comfortably in this tension.
Simeon's proclamation was significant because at that time, it was common for the Jewish people to believe that salvation was primarily for them as God's chosen people. Simeon's words declared that Jesus was the savior for the whole world, a light for non-Jewish people (Gentiles) as well as the glory of Israel, which was always God's intention.
The speaker observes that while God can use anyone, he often seems to choose those who are humble and who walk in righteousness to carry out his promises. The sermon lists Elizabeth, Zechariah, Joseph, Mary, and Simeon as examples of righteous people involved in the story.
Simeon prophesied to Mary that Jesus was "destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel" and would be a sign that is spoken against. He then told her directly, "and a sword will pierce your own soul to," indicating that she would suffer deep loss and emotional pain because of how her son would be treated.
The commentator suggested that fasting and praying is a way of saying "everything is not as it should be." Therefore, Anna's constant devotion was a physical and spiritual expression of her deep desire for things to be different and her longing for the redemption of Israel.
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Essay Questions
Instructions: Reflect on the sermon's core themes to construct a detailed response to the following prompts. Support your arguments with specific concepts and examples from the source material.
Discuss the concept of "God's perfect plan" as presented in the sermon. How do the events surrounding Jesus's presentation at the temple, including the family's adherence to the law and the prophecies of Simeon, demonstrate that this plan did not end at the manger?
Analyze the statement, "Jesus lived the life I should have lived, and he died the death I should have died." Based on the sermon, expand on what it means that Jesus "kept the law perfectly," moving beyond the simple idea that he was just a "nice" person who didn't do bad things.
Compare and contrast the characters of Simeon and Anna. What do their respective backgrounds, actions, and proclamations in the temple reveal about the nature of the Messiah and the scope of God's salvation?
The speaker elaborates on the "tension of the already, but the not yet." Explain this concept fully, using Simeon's specific promise and experience as the primary example. How does the sermon apply this tension to the spiritual life of a believer today?
Explore the sermon's theme of salvation being for "all nations." How did Simeon's prophecy challenge the prevailing attitudes of the time? Furthermore, how does the speaker connect this universal scope of salvation to the Great Commission and the responsibility of believers?
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Glossary of Key Terms
Term
Definition from the Source Context
Anna
A prophetess from the tribe of Asher who was very old (possibly over 100). She was a widow who never left the temple, worshiping constantly through fasting and prayer, and spoke about Jesus to those looking for the redemption of Israel.
Consolation of Israel
The comfort for the disappointment of the nation of Israel, which had suffered under repeated oppression (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Rome). Simeon was waiting for the Messiah to bring this consolation by establishing a heavenly and eternal kingdom.
Consecration
The act, required by the Law of Moses, of setting apart every firstborn male to the Lord. This tradition was a reminder of the Passover story during the Exodus from Egypt.
Gentiles
A broad term for non-Jewish people. Simeon's prophecy declared that Jesus would be a "light of revelation" to the Gentiles, confirming God's plan of salvation for the entire world.
God's Perfect Plan
The overarching theme that God orchestrated all events leading to the birth of Jesus and that this plan continues afterward. It is described as being perfectly woven together throughout all of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation.
Heart (Biblically)
The center of a person's choice, will, and life activity. According to Simeon's prophecy, people's response to Jesus would reveal the thoughts of their hearts.
Law of Moses
The collection of over 600 laws in the Old Testament. The sermon stresses that Jesus kept this law perfectly, both by not committing sin and by never failing to do the good he was supposed to do.
Purification Rites
A tradition required by the Law of Moses that Mary and Joseph observed in Jerusalem after Jesus's birth.
Redemption of Israel
The act of being rescued or saved. Anna spoke about the child Jesus to all who were looking forward to this redemption.
Simeon
A man in Jerusalem described as "righteous" (in his interactions with people) and "devout" (in his relationship with God). The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die before seeing the Messiah.
Sin of Commission
A sin that is actively committed, such as screaming at someone in anger.
Sin of Omission
A sin that occurs when a person fails to do the good that they are supposed to do.
Tension of the already, but the not yet
A concept describing the believer's experience of having a relationship with God in the present ("the already") while acknowledging that the fullness of God's kingdom has not yet been realized and will only come after Christ's return ("the not yet").
