Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Gospel Lesson just read, from Luke 2. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- Our text describes Simeon as a righteous and devout man. In Holy Scripture the “righteous” are believers in God our Savior. In Genesis we read that Abraham believed God, and God counted it to him as righteousness. Likewise Noah is described as being “righteous” – not because he wasn’t sinful, but because he believed God. So Simeon was a believer in God’s promises of a Savior, the Messiah.
- Simeon had also been given a special measure of the Holy Spirit, Who had revealed to him that he would be blessed and privileged to see the Lord’s Christ, the Messiah, prior to his death – that God would fulfill His promises of bringing the Savior into the world in Simeon’s lifetime. This was a remarkable blessing – as Simeon acknowledged.
- Our text describes Simeon as “waiting for the consolation of Israel.” This is how Jesus is described – “the consolation of Israel.” If there is one thing that we need as believers in Jesus in this fallen world of sin, it is “consolation” – the kind of consolation that only Jesus can give:
1. We need the consolation of God’s forgiveness and mercy, assurance that death cannot harm us.
2. We need the consolation of God’s blessing, that we will do well in life, that evil cannot harm us.
3. We need consolation when others accuse, blame, and assault us, that God is still on our side.
4. We need consolation in all of the sorrows we endure in this fallen world of sin.
- How blessed we are if like Simeon we are waiting for “THE CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL,” finding all of our consolation, comfort, peace, and joy in Jesus. For:
I. Jesus Fulfilled All Of God’s Law For Us Perfectly – Even The Ceremonial Laws Of Moses
Text: “the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the Law.”
Statement: Jesus was properly circumcised, properly dedicated to the Lord, and perfectly obedient to God’s Law. He fulfilled every bit of righteousness which we cannot – for us and in our place, as our representative, our substitute. If we consider our “keeping” of the Law of God there is absolutely no consolation – for “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” and “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.”
Application: But by faith in Jesus we too are accounted to be “righteous.” Our sins and our guilt are cleansed away in His blood shed for us on the cross. His righteousness is accounted to us. And this is consolation – the deepest and most wondrous consolation. We are no longer hopelessly enmeshed and entrapped in sin and condemnation. God has freed us from our sin – and by faith in Jesus we now live in God’s blessed presence, at peace with Him through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Transition: This was Simeon’s consolation, and Mary’s consolation, Joseph’s consolation too. Indeed, Jesus is “THE CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL.” But not just a Jewish consolation, for:
II. Jesus Is The Lord’s Christ – God’s Salvation For All People, Including All The Gentiles As Well
A. Jesus Is The Fulfillment Of God’s Word, All Of His Promises
Text: “Lord, now you let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your Word.”
Statement: Jesus, “THE CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL,” is the guarantee that God fulfills His Word, all of His promises. He has promised us forgiveness, life and salvation, and all the earthly blessings that we need. He will surely fulfill these promises to us – as He has up to this very day.
Application: So we need not worry or have anxiety – God has blessed us in Christ with all blessings! We too can live in peace and depart this life in peace – God’s salvation has been accomplished and we are included, as we are among “all peoples” and we are the Gentiles. Christ also came for us, and He also made atonement for all of our sins. Thanks be to God! And as Simeon declared:
B. Jesus Is The Light For Revelation To All People
Text: “My eyes have seen Your salvation that You have prepared in the presence of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles.”
Statement: All who know Jesus, who find their consolation in Him, have been enlightened with a true knowledge of God – His gracious mercy, forgiveness, compassion, love, kindness, patience, and gentleness. And He continues to enlighten us through His Word, His presence, and His ministry to us – also in His sacramental meal of Holy Communion.
Application: Simeon was in the temple “waiting for the consolation of Israel,” and so also we come here, to this temple of God, to receive consolation from Jesus – the assurance of His Word that we are forgiven and saved forever! And we, like Simeon, take up Jesus in our hands each time we receive His body and blood. So too we find our peace in Jesus, “THE CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL.” And:
C. Jesus Is The Glory Of His People – Of Israel And Of We Who Believe In Jesus And Who Find Our Consolation In Him
Text: “and for glory to your people Israel.”
Romans 10:11-13 “For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone believing on Him shall not be put to shame.’ For there is no difference both of Jew and of Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call on Him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Statement: Now, if we want to glory in ourselves, in our own good deeds, successes, and accomplishments, there will be no real consolation – for we brought nothing into this world and will certainly take nothing out with us when we die, and by works of the law no one will be justified before God! But Jesus came to save sinners – and He is consolation for all who repent and confess their sins. So we dare not glory or boast in ourselves – but we rejoice to boast in God our Savior, and we desire only to bask in the glory of Jesus!
Application: It is easy for us to lose sight of this, to focus on many troubling aspects of life in this fallen world of sin. But in Jesus there is always full and complete consolation – for He is God’s salvation, the light which reveals the love and kindness of God, and He is our only real consolation. So let us humbly receive Him in our hearts, and take Him up in our hands, and bless and glorify God for Him!
Conclusion: So let us find consolation for all of our woes and troubles in Jesus, “THE CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL.” In Him we have forgiveness and mercy, and eternal life. In Him we have a blessed life, protected from all evil. In Him we have consolation even when others deride us and assault us – He is our vindication. In Him we find consolation when all other friends and hopes disappoint us, in all sorrows.
May we have Him as our salvation, our light, and our glory forever! Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.