Luke 2:21-38
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the Child, He was named Jesus, the name the angel had given Him before He was conceived.
22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
33 The Child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This Child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Luke 2:21-38 MAKING ROOM FOR JESUS
Springford Baptist Church: January 1, 2023.
The weather on Christmas Eve this year did not permit us to gather for our planned service. I want us today on this very first day of the New Year 2023 to reflect together on what would have been our theme on Christmas Eve. It is very appropriate in committing ourselves to God for each day of the new year ahead. It is all about us choosing to be MAKING ROOM FOR JESUS.
Over the holidays many of us have rearranged things in our homes to make room for decorating or to make room for gatherings of family and friends.
We are very familiar with the detail in the Christmas story events that explains why Jesus when born was placed in a manger. As Luke 2:6-7 explains, “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
Our Saviour Jesus entered this world in such humble circumstances. There was no room made for the Son of God. The King of Kings was placed in a feeding trough for cattle because He was not recognized for Who He is and no room was made for Him.
What will it mean for us to make room for Jesus today and each new day of 2023?
We read about 2 individuals in today’s Scripture who, when they realize Who Jesus is, immediately make room for Him.
When Jesus is taken to Jerusalem by Mary and Joseph to, “…present Him to the Lord.” (Luke 2:22). There are 2 people who are so delighted to see Jesus and to welcome the Promised One. They do not hesitate to make room for Jesus. Nothing in their lives is more important in those momets than making room for Jesus.
What will it mean for us to make room for Jesus today and each new day of 2023?
Simeon is the first of these 2 people who enthusiastically made room for Jesus. We are told that he was righteous and devout. His life already followed a consistent pattern of making room for God and living his life to please God. We are told that he was, “waiting for the consolation of Israel.” (Luke 2:25) Simeon was expectantly waiting for God to keep His promise to send a Messiah Who would bring comfort to his people at His coming. Simeon believed that this Messiah would be One to make every effort for in making room.
What will it mean for us to make room for Jesus today and each new day of 2023?
When Jesus is there being presented in the temple in Jerusalem, Simeon is moved by the Holy Spirit to go and to see Him. We will want to be living consistent lives of faith so that God’s Spirit will move us to make room to welcome Jesus wherever He reveals Himself and is at work.
Simeon takes the infant Jesus in His arms and we are told He praises God saying, “Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for the Gentiles and for glory to Your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32)
Simeon is now ready for God to take Him home to heaven at any time because he has seen and held God’s own Son in His arms.
He does not say, “Why did You take so long to answer my prayers God”?
He does not exclaim, “Now that I am at this age, what good is it for me to have this miraculous experience that confirms my faith in God”?
Whatever age or stage of life we are in, there is opportunity for us to recognize Jesus for Who He is and to make room for Him.
What will it mean for us to make room for Jesus today and each new day of 2023?
There is a second person in today’s Scripture who is for us an example of what it means to make room for Jesus in our everyday lives.
We meet Anna the prophetess. She had experienced the loss of her husband after being married for only 7 years. Then she had been a widow to the age of 84. Anna had not permitted the grief of her situation to push God away. In fact, as we are told, she had completely opened her life to make room for God. “She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying.” (Luke 2:37b)
Since Anna spends all of her time at the temple, she is in the right place at the right time to see Jesus and to make room for Him.
Anna understands Who Jesus is and as we read, “Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Israel.” (Luke 2:38)
We will each need to find our own ways of making room for Jesus in our own unique circumstances. The key will be not to allow anything to become an excuse for not making room for Jesus. This is not something to put off for what seems like a better or more convenient time.
What will it mean for us to make room for Jesus today and each new day of 2023?
Our theme for 2023 at Springford Baptist Church will be “BECOMING”. We can become more and more the people whom God has created us to be as we deliberately choose to be MAKING ROOM FOR JESUS.
When we are MAKING ROOM FOR JESUS consistently,then every aspect of our lives can draw attention to this One Who came to bring us redemption!
What will it mean for us to make room for Jesus today and each new day of 2023?