(To Those Without Shelter, the Gospel is Best Spread With a Hammer)
A Mission is Set, A Shadow is Cast
By Bishop Chris Giesler
Sermon Text: Luke 2:22-40
Whenever a newborn baby makes their first public appearance, it is not unusual to hear comments like:
- “Your baby is so cute!”
- “Look at those long fingers; I’ll bet she is going to be a piano player.”
- “So precious! Look how well he is sleeping!” (The parents are now saying, “Come back at 3 o’clock tomorrow morning!”)
- And to a crying baby, “What a set of lungs!”
- To a large baby boy, “I see a future Philadelphia Eagles linebacker here!”
In today’s Gospel lesson, Mary and Joseph are following Jewish custom, presenting their child in the Temple, and going through the purification ritual. Luke is very careful to say that Mary and Joseph were devoted to the faith and practice of Judaism. This presentation in the temple was required, especially for firstborn males in a family. It is assumed that Mary and Joseph had remained in Bethlehem from the time of Jesus’ birth until now. Just before this section of Luke’s narrative, it is mentioned that Jesus was circumcised after eight days, so this event would have come soon after that. It is about a five-and-a-half-mile journey from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. A trip that would have taken several hours to do by foot, especially with a newborn child and a woman who has only recently given birth.
As we read the text, it is not by accident that Simeon is in the Temple as Mary and Joseph go through the rituals. The Holy Spirit has brought Simeon to see this child. This is the same Holy Spirit who had earlier promised him that he would see the Messiah before the end of his life. As soon as Simeon sees the family, he takes Jesus in his arms in amazement. Most people might have said, “Joseph, he’s a handsome child; I’ll bet he’ll make a wonderful carpenter someday.” But Simeon knows who he is looking for, and the first words out of his mouth are, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
So far, the narrative about Jesus and his birth, even under challenging circumstances, has come off remarkably well. Angels have given praise in the highest heaven, and the shepherds have come to worship this newborn child of God. And now, here in the Temple, this Holy man has blessed the child and his parents. But now, for the first time, this light has begun to cast a shadow as Simeon says, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your soul too.” Ouch! Why did he have to go and say that?
To answer that question, we only have to go back a chapter in Luke’s account and listen to what Mary herself says about Jesus when she shares with Elizabeth what God is doing in bringing Jesus into the world: “God has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham, and to his descendants forever.”
To that, Simeon is adding that this child is for the benefit of not only the people of Israel but, in fact, the world.
Neither of these statements will set well with the rich, the powerful, or those who use religious authority to classify others as in or out of the kingdom of God. The work this child will later do will be good news to the poor and powerless but will anger those in power.
And not to be discounted here is the Prophet Anna, a poor widow devout in her faith and practice. As she gazes upon the child, she, like Simeon, sees just who he will be. It is remarkable that any woman of that time period would be given a voice, but Luke does just that. This further indicates that this child will indeed be changing the world.
As we consider these profound words, how does this change how we look at our manger scenes and gaze upon the newborn child? How will this year’s celebration of Jesus’ birth change the way we look at others? How does the Savior of the world change how we view our mission in life?
