Life Ministries

“More Great Expectations”
Scripture - Luke 2:21-38

    Last time, I spoke of Advent as being a season of “expectation” and how we get out of this season what we expect to get. The same is true for all of life, the same is true of each day. We also looked at the expectations of Zacharias and Mary - Zacharias didn’t expect God to do anything; He didn’t expect God could do anything; It says that Elizabeth even remained in seclusion for 6 months (Probably because they thought if they told anyone what was going on, they would come with the straight jackets, and take them away!) The consequence for Zach-arias was that he was unable to speak for the whole nine months.    

    Scripture tells us that they didn’t tell their friends and family and neighbors anything about their experience with God until the baby was born; which is an admonishment to us as Christians even today. How many of our family and friends don’t know a thing about our experience with God? When the baby comes, when the king comes, when Jesus comes, it will be too late.
    Mary on the other hand, expected that God is who He says He is, and that He can do what He says He can do…and she responds with “let it be as you have said”.  How many know that this was a most embarrassing situation for Mary and Joseph? But, you see, Their expectations of God were such that it overshadowed any embarrassment or criticism from family or friends…God said it, I believe it, and that’s all there is to it! That’s what our faith is all about!
    Today I want to look at some more expectations; the expectations of a man name Simeon.  From this scripture we can find out a lot of things about Simeon; First, we know he was in Jerusalem; He is not given any class or distinction socially; he was just a “man in Jerusalem” it says… an average Joe. We don’t know how rich or poor he was; how educated he was; what size house he lived in; we don’t even know if he was skinny or fat, hand-some or homely, white, black, red, or purple. I personally find it awesome that God doesn’t think any of this is important information! God just gives us the important facts; and, what is important is that he was waiting and expecting to see Jesus; and had been for some years!
    It tells us that he - Simeon - was “righteous and devout”. In other words, he was a godly man; and obviously, an older man. But, the most striking description…the one we want to zero in on is verse 25 - “he was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” That means he was waiting for, expecting, the promised Messiah; the “consolation of Israel”.
    For 400 years, since the closing of the Old Testament, with the prophet and the Book of Malachi, heaven has been silent. No prophets, no visions, no miracles, and for the most part, no leader.  But, Simeon was holding on to God’s promise of a deliverer, a redeemer, a Savior, the Messiah, who would come to bring peace and salvation.
    This reminds me of some verses in 1Peter 2 - “First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say; “Where is this coming he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has from the beginning of creation”. But, it goes on to say, they forget about the flood; they forget about the fact that the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire and judgment. “But do not forget this one thing” he says, “With the Lord, a thousand years is like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, He is patient with you, not wanting even one to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare….(All those who think God is just kidding, raise your hand!) “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you be? You ought to live holy and Godly lives as you (look forward) - which means to expect – “as you expect the Day of God and speed it’s coming.” “But in keeping with His promise we are expecting a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are expecting this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him.”
    We need to remember that 400 years have past since Malachi. Most of the people in Simeon’s time were no different than people today. They saw no miracles; they don’t hear from God; and they begin to wonder if there really is a God? And, they have long forgotten God’s promises. But then, my question might be; do they expect to see God? Do they expect to see miracles? Do they expect  to hear God speaking to them?  Are they even listening? Simeon was. He lived every day of his life in expectation of what God could and would do!
    And now, the day of promise had come, and Simeon held Jesus in his arms! When he looked into the eyes of this month-and-a-half old baby, he saw his expectations fulfilled!
    Now, let’s make some Biblical applications of this story to our lives today. I want to give you three ways to make this Christmas a better Christmas through expectations;
1.     Expect something from God. Someone once said that “we all live under the same sky, but we don’t all have the same horizon!” Expect to see; and hear; and experience God.
2.     Hold Jesus in your heart. Simeon held Jesus in his arms, but we can hold Jesus in our hearts. Throw open your hearts and embrace the Christ child! Embrace the peace; embrace the light; embrace the salvation; and the hope of his coming again. When all these things were taking place, it says that “Mary pondered these things in her heart” Take some time to ponder a little!
3.     Share the Joy with others. If we look around us, if we really look around us, we will see people who like Simeon are looking for redemption; they are looking for peace from their troubled life; they are looking for someone to come along side them and show them that “unto us a child has been born, unto us a Son has been given.” “He is “a light to those who walk in darkness” He is “a wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, Almighty God” Who was, and is, and is to be!   I ask you again, What are your expectations this Christmas?  What you expect, is what you get.  Simeon lived according to his expectations; are we living according to ours?