Today’s Readings

Psalm 45         Isaiah 30:8-17     Romans 8:31b-39   Luke 2:25-40

 

            Good evening and our greeting today and tomorrow is wishing each other a happy and healthy and blessed New Year.  There is just something about that number, 2008, that seems like it should never have gotten here, or I should have gotten to see 2008.  Maybe it is just me.

 

            But that happy and healthy and blessed New Year you already have and you hold it in your hands.  We know that even though none of us knows what the year holds for each one, the members of our families, our loved ones and friends.  We know that somewhere there is going to be an illness, a death, a marriage, a birth, a major job situation that one looks forward to or not, political and social things and the effects of nature in various ways.  That happy and healthy and blessed New Year is beyond all of those day-to-day things. Instead of something uncontrollable, it is something completely controlled and again, you hold it in your hands.

 

            We come to this from the readings for this evening.  In Isaiah we are assured, “In repentance and rest is your salvation.  In quietness and trust is your strength,” [30:15].  Paul assures us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?...Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?...in all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us,” [Romans 8:31, 35, 27].

 

            These readings and truths take us to Simeon in the temple.  He stood there and held our Savior in his very arms.  He knew who this Savior is, and as we read his after comments to Mary and Joseph, he prepared Mary for that Friday thirty-some years later when she would observe the fulfillment of this prophecy. 

 

            Simeon knew he could not save or redeem himself from sin.  Simeon knew God had promised to send the Savior in our flesh.  Simeon knew from special revelation by the Holy Spirit that this child is the savior.  Simeon knew that in repentance for his sins would be his rest, that this Savior would do the rest.  Simeon knew that his strength over death, sin, Satan and the grave was not of his own but in trusting God and his promises. Simeon knew that Jesus would conquer more than anything man can conquer.  Jesus would conquer death.

 

            Lord, as you promised, you are now letting your servant depart in peace.  We sing this song of Simeon’s after we have received the same Lord Simeon held that day.  That baby later would willingly and in love for you and all people give up his body and blood to pay the price for all of your sins.  That baby would later break open the chains that death holds not just for himself, but also for you and all believers. 

 

            You, too, hold this salvation in your hands.  God has placed it there as you read and listen to his word.  God has placed it there as you receive the price paid for you in the bread and wine as Jesus has proclaimed. 

 

            It is New Year’s.  A most popular thing we focus on are the resolutions.  As Isaiah, as Paul, as Simeon, we are to be resolute.  In repentance and trust in God is the forgiveness and salvation won by Christ for us.  God is resolute as he will not allow anything to separate you from his love.  As Simeon, we have seen his salvation that he has prepared before all people.  Jesus is proclaimed throughout the world.  Jesus is in your heart, in your hands today for you to hold and know that he is your Savior.

 

            In Jesus’ undying love.  Amen.