In today's sermon delivered on December 30 by Pastor Mankin, we are present at the blessing of Jesus outside the Temple. Simeon, an old, righteous, devout man who has been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not pass from this life until he had seen the Messiah, "the consolation of Israel" in the flesh.
The text for today's sermon is Luke 2:22-40
This scripture provides many reflections about the nature of Christ, not the least of which is yet another prophecy, this time by Simeon, that this Christ, delivered to us at this time, is THE Christ, the promised Messiah of the Old Testament, the Savior, as opposed to some other Messiah that is still yet to come alluded to by modern day Judaism.
The thrust of Pastor Mankin's sermon this day, entitled "Nothing More to See Here" follows this theme and focuses on the event's essential theme of completion. Simeon's famous utterance (also included in our weekly worship liturgy), "Lord now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples; a light for the revelation to the Gentiles, and for the glory to your people, Israel."
For now that the consolation of Israel has been seen, as promised to Simeon by the Holy Spirit, he may depart in peace, peace with God from this mortal existence unto everlasting peace in eternity with God.
Again, the inspiration for Simeon's prophecy, as all divine inspiration given to us in Grace, pointing us to saving faith in Jesus Christ comes to us from the Holy Spirit. As stated in the reading, "...and the Holy Spirit was upon him (Simeon). And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ." Luke seems determined that we understand the role of the Holy Spirit in inspiring faith in us all. Luke seems to be admonishing the importance of a Trinitarian understanding of the Holy Spirit.
Christ is brought to the temple, in faith already, because of the faith of his parents. For God had carefully chosen Mary and Joseph as faithful servants, steeped in the Holy Spirit. "What if", Pastor Mankin intones, "God had chosen just any parents"...parents of a pedestrian spiritual persuasion, as common in Jerusalem of Christ's day as in America now, believing, "Oh, we will just let little Jesus be exposed to a nice variety of spiritual persuasions and he can choose for himself which suits him best." Our active faith is more often primarily a function of parental rather than societal context.
Finally, Simeon's famous words of celebration in a life complete in faith and a peaceful departure from the turmoil and violence of life on earth is a lesson in faith for all of us. A life lived in faith IS a complete life, whether or not we achieve the less important material or status goals laid before us or chosen by us in life. Our mission in Christ has been fulfilled if we have acted in faith... not necessarily a perfect faith, but a faith repentance in love of Christ as inspired in us by the Holy Spirit.
Hallelujah!! Rejoice that your faith will deliver you to a death in peace with God!!
Of course there is even more divine inspiration in Pastor Mankin's sermon. Please read and listen if the Spirit so moves you.
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