Bobservations' Column
Titled - "The Hearers of God"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz
Titled - "The Hearers of God"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz
Mid-week after Christmas, today’s passage focuses on a few of those that have heard the voice of God, and other “Announcers,” like Gabriel, an Angel whose ear was held by Almighty God. We know about God directing him to Daniel in Babylon. Gabriel carried messages of the highest importance.
God’s plans for Messiah His only begotten Son, were what we read of last week from Luke’s Gospel. Gabriel’s revelations were to a young Jewish virgin named Mary, right after Elizabeth and Zacharias learned of their roles in God’s plan. Gabriel’s part in God’s plan to save His people is remarkable. But Gabriel isn’t alone, as we read of Simeon, and Anna, we see a less dramatic style of God revealing His plan to them.
Simeon had asked God to keep him alive until he could see His Salvation. And the widow Anna saw God as her husbandman after her loving husband had passed from this earthly life. At eighty-four years old, she served God with prayer and daily fastings. Regular worshippers just saw her as always being at Temple when they would visit weekly. Anna was there devotedly, seeking after the Lord, without fanfare.
Simeon, was likely there daily too, looking with hope at every child that came through the doors of the Temple. Along with Anna, he sought after the Lord, awaiting the arrival of the One who was to inherit the Throne of David the King. His kingdom is to have no end. Christmas celebrations are not reserved for December 25th; they are meant for every day of our lives. Since we don’t know the date of His birth, it makes sense that our faith is sufficient to get us through our time on Earth, to the day of His call to come home.
Joseph, Mary, and Jesus while here on Earth, were observant Jews, keeping the Laws of the ages. Keeping the Commandments to the best of our ability should bring us closer to the Savior. As we rejoice in His birth, and keep the rejoicing going throughout the New Year!
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” - Jude 1:20-21
Bobservations' Column: Audio Version
Sunday Morning Message:
Luke 2:20-40 - "The Hearers of God"
Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:
As we continue the gospel message of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ from Luke chapter 2, the writer narrates Jesus's presentation at the Temple, where the devout Simeon and prophetess Anna recognize him as the promised Messiah, foretelling his role as a light to all nations, while also highlighting the humble birth in Bethlehem (vv. 2-20) and Jesus's early growth, culminating in the significant event where the twelve-year-old Jesus stays in the Temple, declaring, "I must be in my Father's house," revealing his divine identity and mission to his earthly parents. The "hearers of God" in this passage are figures like the shepherds, Simeon, and Anna, who are attuned to divine revelation, receiving angelic messages or being led by the Spirit to recognize and proclaim Jesus as the long-awaited Savior, demonstrating that God speaks to the humble and faithful, not just the powerful.
The Hearers of God in Luke 2 -
- Shepherds: The first to hear the angelic announcement, they represent the humble, overlooked people who God calls to witness the Messiah.
- Simeon: A devout, righteous man who had been promised he wouldn't die before seeing the Messiah, demonstrating God's faithfulness and revealing the Messiah's universal purpose.
- Anna: An aged, prayerful prophetess who confirms Simeon's message, showing that God's Spirit works through both men and women, young and old, to reveal Christ.
- Mary: Though the mother, she is also a hearer, "pondering these things in her heart," as she receives divine revelations and prophecies about her son, showing even close family must receive the message.
Key Words and Definitions with Reference:
Eight Days (2:21) - In accord with God's commandment (Genesis 17:12; Leviticus 12:1-3; cf. Philippians 3:5), it had become customary to name a child at circumcision.
Her Purification (2:22) - A woman who bore a son was ceremonially unclean for forty days. After that she was to offer a yearling lamb and a dove or pigeon (Leviticus 12:6). If poor, she could offer two doves or pigeons (Leviticus 12:8). Mary's offering indicates that she and Joseph were poor (vs. 24).
To Jerusalem (2:22) - A journey of about six miles from Bethlehem.
To Present Him to the Lord (2:22) - The dedication of the firstborn son was also required by Moses' Law (vs. 23, cf. Exodus 13:2, 12-15).
A Pair of Turtledoves (2:24) - quotes from Leviticus 12:8.
Simeon (2:25) - Simeon’s reputation was that of being “righteous and devout” (Luke 2:25). For generations the people of God waited for and expected a Messiah, a Savior. Simeon was like his fellow Israelites in that he waited “for the consolation of Israel” (verse 25). The concept of consolation implies comfort. The nation of Israel was waiting for God’s comfort, expecting that He would come and rescue them (Luke 23:50–51; Mark 15:43; Acts 10:22), just as He had done in delivering them from slavery and bringing them out of Egypt (Exodus 14). Simeon was unique in what he knew—namely, that he would see the Messiah with his own eyes, for “it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah” (Luke 2:26).
Joseph and Mary, in faithfulness to the Law, traveled to Jerusalem while Jesus was still an infant to present Him to God in the temple (Luke 2:22; cf. Exodus 13:1–2). It is during their visit to the temple that Simeon saw Jesus, the long-awaited “consolation of Israel.” We don’t know how long Simeon had waited, but we do know that he was led by the Spirit to go to the temple that day, and he recognized Jesus the moment he saw Him.
Simeon’s words assert that 1) Jesus would be the salvation of the world, 2) He would deliver truth not only to those in Israel but also to the Gentiles, and 3) Jesus would bring glory upon the people of Israel. Luke records that Jesus’ parents “marveled at what was said about him” (Luke 2:33).
Simeon spoke to Mary, Jesus’ mother. Simeon said, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:34). In this prophecy, Simeon said that 1) some of the Jewish people would believe that Jesus is the “consolation of Israel,” and some would not, 2) there would be much opposition to Jesus in the future, 3) Jesus would reveal the truth, and 4) Jesus’ suffering would cause Mary much pain, personally.
Simeon stands as a testimony of how we, too, should anticipate the arrival of the Messiah. Simeon looked forward to Christ’s first coming, and we anticipate His second coming (see Acts 1:11 and Titus 2:13).
Joseph and Mary, in faithfulness to the Law, traveled to Jerusalem while Jesus was still an infant to present Him to God in the temple (Luke 2:22; cf. Exodus 13:1–2). It is during their visit to the temple that Simeon saw Jesus, the long-awaited “consolation of Israel.” We don’t know how long Simeon had waited, but we do know that he was led by the Spirit to go to the temple that day, and he recognized Jesus the moment he saw Him.
Simeon’s words assert that 1) Jesus would be the salvation of the world, 2) He would deliver truth not only to those in Israel but also to the Gentiles, and 3) Jesus would bring glory upon the people of Israel. Luke records that Jesus’ parents “marveled at what was said about him” (Luke 2:33).
Simeon spoke to Mary, Jesus’ mother. Simeon said, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:34). In this prophecy, Simeon said that 1) some of the Jewish people would believe that Jesus is the “consolation of Israel,” and some would not, 2) there would be much opposition to Jesus in the future, 3) Jesus would reveal the truth, and 4) Jesus’ suffering would cause Mary much pain, personally.
Simeon stands as a testimony of how we, too, should anticipate the arrival of the Messiah. Simeon looked forward to Christ’s first coming, and we anticipate His second coming (see Acts 1:11 and Titus 2:13).
The Consolation of Israel (2:25) - A messianic title, evidently derived from verses like Isaiah 25:9; 40:1, 2; 66:1-11. The concept of consolation implies comfort. The nation of Israel was waiting for God’s comfort, expecting that He would come and rescue them (Luke 23:50–51; Mark 15:43; Acts 10:22), just as He had done in delivering them from slavery and bringing them out of Egypt (Exodus 14).
Revealed unto Him (2:26) - It is significant that with messianic expectation running so high (cf. 3:15), and with the many Old Testament prophecies that spoke of His coming, still only a handful of people realized the significance of Christ's birth. Most o them, including Simeon, received some angelic message or other special revelation to make the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies clear.
"Simeon's Psalm" (2:29-32) - Simenon's psalm is known as the Nunc Dimittis, from the first two words of the Latin translation. It is the fourth of five psalms of praise Luke included in his birth narrative. It is a touching expression of Simeon's extraordinary faith.
Thy Salvation (2:30) - The One who would redeem His people from their sins.
All People (2:31) - All nations, tongues, and tribes (cf. Revelation 7:9) - both Israel and the Gentiles (vs. 32).
Fall and Rising Again of Many in Israel (2:34) - To those who reject Him, He is a stone of stumbling (1 Peter 2:8); those who receive Him are raised up (Ephesians 2:6). Cf. Isaiah 8:14, 15; Hosea 14:9; 1 Corinthians 1:23, 24.
Spoken Against (2:34) - This was synecdoche. Simeon mentioned only the verbal insults hurled at Christ, but the expression actually embraced more than that - Israel's rejection, hatred, and crucifixion of the Messian.
A Sword (2:35) - This was undoubtedly a reference to the personal grief Mary would endure when she watched her own Son die in agony (John 19:25).
Thoughts of Many Hearts...Revealed (2:35) - The rejection of the Messiah would reveal the appalling truth about the apostate state of the Jews.
Anna. . .Prophetess (2:36) - Anna is mentioned in the Bible as a prophetess and one of the people connected to Jesus’ childhood. She was the daughter of Penuel from the tribe of Asher. Her name, which she shares with Hannah in the Old Testament, means “favor” or “grace.” All we know of her is found in three verses in the New Testament book of Luke. When Anna encounters the infant Jesus in the temple, we see that her life is indeed overflowing with favor and grace.
Anna is among only a handful of women in the Bible bearing the title “prophetess.” The others are Miriam, the sister of Moses (Exodus 15:20); Deborah, the judge (Judges 4:4); Huldah, the wife of Shallum (2 Chronicles 34:22); Isaiah’s wife (Isaiah 8:3); and Philip’s four unmarried daughters (Acts 21:9).
Anna had been married only seven years when she became a widow, and she remained a widow for the rest of her life. Most translations indicate that Anna was eighty-four years old when she met Jesus. But it is also possible to translate the text to mean Anna had lived eighty-four years after her husband died. That would mean Anna was at least 104 years old—if she had married at the age of thirteen. Either way, she had spent the vast majority of her life without a husband and was ministering before the Lord in the temple.
After becoming a widow, Anna dedicated herself wholly to the Lord. She never left the temple in Jerusalem but spent her time worshiping, fasting, and praying. It is possible that Anna was given living quarters at the temple because of her designation as prophetess, or she may have lived close by. What stands out is that her devotion was constant for the majority of her life, and her devotion was rewarded with an encounter with her Savior. Her many years of sacrifice and service were worth it all when she beheld the Messiah, the One for whom she had waited so long.
Anna is among only a handful of women in the Bible bearing the title “prophetess.” The others are Miriam, the sister of Moses (Exodus 15:20); Deborah, the judge (Judges 4:4); Huldah, the wife of Shallum (2 Chronicles 34:22); Isaiah’s wife (Isaiah 8:3); and Philip’s four unmarried daughters (Acts 21:9).
Anna had been married only seven years when she became a widow, and she remained a widow for the rest of her life. Most translations indicate that Anna was eighty-four years old when she met Jesus. But it is also possible to translate the text to mean Anna had lived eighty-four years after her husband died. That would mean Anna was at least 104 years old—if she had married at the age of thirteen. Either way, she had spent the vast majority of her life without a husband and was ministering before the Lord in the temple.
After becoming a widow, Anna dedicated herself wholly to the Lord. She never left the temple in Jerusalem but spent her time worshiping, fasting, and praying. It is possible that Anna was given living quarters at the temple because of her designation as prophetess, or she may have lived close by. What stands out is that her devotion was constant for the majority of her life, and her devotion was rewarded with an encounter with her Savior. Her many years of sacrifice and service were worth it all when she beheld the Messiah, the One for whom she had waited so long.
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