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The Foreshadowed Messiah: Submission & Sacrifice in Luke 2
July 3, 2025 · 13 min
A dive into how Jesus fulfills the law and embodies sanctification, even in the simplicity of His early life.
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The Early Life and Submission of Jesus 0:09 Good morning. Welcome to Stand on the Word. Thanks for joining this morning as we move into Luke chapter 2 verse 27. So he came by the spirit into the temple.0:22 So here we have doctor Luke's account of Jesus's birth, his presentation in the temple, and a glimpse of his childhood. Then there's kind of a veil that's pulled over his life until his public0:34 ministry begins at the age of 30. So a couple of general observations, about Jesus. He is not only our savior, but he's also our example as Peter says in first Peter chapter 2 verse0:45 21. For to this you were called because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example that you should follow his steps. So Jesus is the creator. He is the savior, yet he submitted, as we0:57 see here in this passage, to the religious system that foreshadowed the sacrifice, the salvation, and sanctification that he would provide to mankind. Because we note here that he was circumcised1:09 on the eighth day and that his mother on the on the fortieth day, as we'll see, goes into the temple and offers a sacrifice of purification.1:21 So, we we then see actually later, as he enters his teenage years, we we read this where he went down the family went down to, to Jerusalem for 1 of the festivals. He stays behind.1:33 They come back. They get him. And then it says in verse 51, then they went then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. He submitted to1:44 earthly authorities that were far from perfect. You know, Jesus was not a rebel. Jesus didn't come to destroy the law, but to fulfill the law. Now, yes,1:56 he turned over some tables, but he didn't spend his entire life turning over tables. He submitted to earthly authorities. His public ministry did not begin until the age of 30. So during this2:08 period, this is basically what we have. We have 1 sentence that covers this time period from doctor Luke. This is what he says. He increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and2:20 man. That's it. I mean, isn't it interesting that Jesus, who is the son of God, the creator, the word, and there are many other titles that could describe him, submitted to his parents2:32 and the process of learning and growing. Now we live in an age that idolizes youth. I mean, we have teenagers traversing the globe lecturing world leaders on global warming. And2:44 these are kids that don't even have the capacity to pay a light bill. Teenagers are instructing their parents, and many parents are going along with it because that is what is happening in our2:56 culture. But let me just say that say this. It's wrong. Okay? It's wrong. And this is just 1 more example of how our world is upside down. Alright. That said, there are a few other, aspects of this3:07 passage I wanna focus on in greater detail this morning. Let's begin with verse 1, chapter 2. And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.3:20 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house in the lineage of David, to be registered with Mary,3:32 his betrothed wife who was with child. So Mary and Joseph were from Galilee. It's about a hundred miles, from Bethlehem north. Galilee is up in the north. Bethlehem is just a little3:43 south of, of Jerusalem. And this is where what was significant about this, Bethlehem was where Christ, who was from the family of David, was to be born. Now3:55 isn't it interesting that God used the decree of a pagan government to to facilitate the fulfillment of biblical prophecy? See, remember remember this, God is the ruler of4:07 nations. He can and does use all things for his purposes. Now beginning in verse 8, we have the announcement to the shepherds, which, the Christmas story is made very4:19 familiar with us. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And behold, an angel of the lord stood before them, and the glory of the lord4:31 lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day day4:43 in the city of David a savior who is Christ the Lord. It seems a lot to be reading this when, it's almost 90 degrees or actually above 90 degrees. So the,4:54 next we have the angelic choir sings, and then the shepherds go and they seek out the baby Jesus. Verse 17. Now when they had seen him, they made5:06 widely known the sayings which was told them concerning this child. This this is an entire sermon. There's an entire sermon in this 1 verse. When you have encountered Jesus, you can't help5:18 but make it known. Next, we encounter a fascinating man named Simeon. Verse 25. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. And this man was just andSimeon and Anna: Witnesses of the Messiah 5:30 devout waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. The Holy Spirit was upon him. And so we'll see here as we read, the Holy Spirit was guiding him and directing him. Now this was prior to the5:42 Holy Spirit that came at Pentecost for all believers. You know, the the the the Holy Spirit was promised by Jesus after his death, burial, and resurrection.5:53 He said, I'm gonna send the comforter. I'm gonna send this the the Holy Spirit as our helper. But I think what we have here is an illustration of the spirit filled life that was made possible by Jesus.6:06 Verse 26. 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. So he came by the spirit into the temple.6:18 And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed him and said, Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in6:30 peace according to your word. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the6:41 Gentiles. Notice this. He's declaring this from the very start that Jesus was going to bring light to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel. And Joseph and his6:53 mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him. I can only imagine that they marveled, but there's actually more out of the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses. Look at verse7:05 36. Now there was 1 Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. She was of great age and had lived with a husband 77:16 years from her virginity. And that she married for 7 years. And this woman was a widow of about 84 years. So this woman was old. And she did not depart from the temple, but7:28 served God with fastings and prayers night and day. Notice did you notice this description of Anna? She served God. How? With fastings7:40 and prayers day and night. I I believe we're gonna be surprised when we get to heaven. And we see some of those who had the greatest impact on world events are gonna be those who we7:52 would never recognize. They may have been widows. They were prayer warriors that they prayed and they fasted and they did warfare, spiritual warfare in the heavenlies by praying8:04 and fasting. And coming in that instant, she gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. So here's the setting. Mary,8:16 40 days after giving birth, went into the temple according to the law of Moses to offer a burnt offering for her cleansing. Now on this occasion, this this occasion, they encountered8:28 encouragement for the journey ahead because they were gonna have some difficulty. And everyone needs encouragement along life's journey. Even though angels had appeared to both Mary and8:40 Joseph at the beginning and the shepherds attended the birth, I'm sure there were a lot of questions and uncertainty, not to mention the difficulties that they were facing in this8:52 journey ahead of them. Some scholars say that Simeon was a a prominent religious teacher in Jerusalem, a priest, the son of, Hillel, the elder, the religious leader and scholar9:03 who founded the house of Hillel. But their, but this we know for certain. He was led by the spirit. That that this we do know. And notice the precise timing of9:15 this, of his entrance to the temple. Holy spirit. And and we can experience that as well. I I I9:27 can't tell you the number of times that I've experienced that where it just happened to be, and I'm sure you have as well, been at the right place at the right time to to help someone, to speak to someone, to encounter9:38 someone. As we're walking in the spirit, that is how it happens. But notice also that9:50 the the the that Simeon warned Mary of the sorrows which were to come. Look at verse 34. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary10:01 Mary his mother, behold, this child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against for a sign spoken which we've spoken against.10:14 Yes. A sword will pierce through your own soul also that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. I mean, yes. A sword will pierce through your own soul also. There was no10:26 small print. There's no small print about the challenges and opposition we face when we truly follow Jesus. And and and the Lord was laying it out there for Mary and Joseph. The the10:37 print is large, and it's bold. I mean, Jesus said this himself. If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.10:49 This is the reality of following Jesus. But even so even so, there's unbelievable joy in the journey and being a part of God's plan. It is11:01 it it it is beyond the when we're part of his plan, it's beyond the fleeting nature of what most people are focused on. You see, we're we're talking about eternal things. We're focused on those things which are11:13 everlasting as we keep our eyes upon the kingdom, as we as we as we put our eyes on Christ who sits above, and we11:25 when we focus on those things. And and if Simeon had not filled up their encouragement tank, you know, Anna here tops it all for them. You know, we all need11:37 encouragement for the journey that god has us on. But we also need to allow ourselves, guided by the Holy Spirit, to be encouragement for our fellow11:49 travelers. Yes. There's challenges ahead, but we need to encourage 1 another to overcome those challenges because we go from victory unto victory when we're walking in fellowship12:01 and in the sanctification in fellowship with God and the sanctification of the Holy Spirit through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Father, we thank you for your word, and I thank you for all those who are on12:13 this journey. May you bless them, strengthen them, encourage them. And and, lord, may we be used to encourage others like Simeon and Anna. Encourage others for the journey that they are embarking upon.12:26 And and, lord, may we be led by the spirit, and we thank you for that. And we pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. Alright. Thanks again for joining me. Until next time, keep standing12:38 on the word.12:39 Today's study comes from the stand on the word bible reading plan, available for free at frc dot org slash bible. By following along in just a few minutes a day, you12:51 can read through the entire Bible in just 2 years. Learn more and request the free reading guide at frc dot org slash bible.In this video 0:00 The Early Life and Submission of Jesus5:20 Simeon and Anna: Witnesses of the Messiah
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