Presentation of Our Lord - Sermon on Luke 2:22-40

Sermon preached by Pastor Daniel Locke on February 2, 2020 @ St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, FL

Listen to the Sermon here: 

Luke 2:22-40

22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord ²³ (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), ²⁴ and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."²⁵ Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. ²⁶ It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. ²⁷ Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law,²⁸ Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, ²⁹ "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; ³⁰ for my eyes have seen your salvation, ³¹ which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, ³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." ³³ And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed ³⁵ so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too."³⁶ There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, ³⁷ then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. ³⁸ At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. ³⁹ When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰ The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. 

SERMON

For those of you who have been following along rather closely, we’ve been moving chronologically through the life of Jesus, starting back in Advent.  From the annunciation by the angel Gabriel, through Mary’s Magnificat. From the journey of an ordinary couple to Bethlehem, to the birth of Jesus in an unusual and less-than-ideal circumstance.  From Joseph and his family fleeing to Egypt at the threat of Herod’s infant massacre, to the arrival of the wiseman and the celebration of the Epiphany. Over the last few weeks, we heard John the Baptist announce the arrival of one who is greater.  Jesus was baptized in the River and was driven into the wilderness. Last week, Christ called his first disciples. As you might expect, we’ve had some forward chronological momentum as we work our way towards Lent, Holy Week, and Easter.  

But, to keep you on your toes, we embrace the two steps forward, one step backwards dance of our lectionary.  Today we cycle back to Jesus infancy, just weeks, days even, after he was born. And we open the word of God to the moment Jesus was presented in the temple.  Chronologically, we’re jumping several years. Next week we’ll return to Jesus teaching and his sermon on the mount, but for today, we step back.

And there are two reasons for us to do so.  First, we do not know much about Jesus’ childhood, and we have very few texts that reference him as a baby or young child.  Even less are the Sundays in which our texts talk about Jesus as a child. So, when the opportunity presents itself, it is good for us to take a moment and dwell within the Word of God as an infant, indeed a baby.

Second, we jump back in lectionary time because today, Feb. 2, just so happens to be the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ.  And it doesn’t happen often that th Feb. 2 falls on a Sunday, so we today we have to opportunity to celebrate this Feast Day - The Presentation of Jesus Christ.  

In many traditions, this is a significant day on the liturgical calendar, and admittedly, Lutherans are the most impassioned celebrators of the day.  In many cultures, this day is marked with major celebrations and town festivals. There are cultural traditions, with song, dance, and special food. In fact, the Feast Day of the Presentation of Our Lord is one of the oldest known traditions in the Christian church.  

Another name for this Feb. 2 feast day is Candlemas.  Within many religious traditions, it is common for families to bring candles from their homes to have them blessed on this day.  Since light is a significant symbol within the Christian church, the blessing of the candles used in the home and church serves as a reminder that each time the candle is lit, Christ is present.  The light of the world shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it.  

Every year, on Feb. 2, whether we gather for worship or not, the Christian calendar celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, and we read this passage from the gospel of Luke.  

Now I know the liturgical calendar can be confusing, but if you’re a liturgical purist or nerd like some of us, this question is for you.  Why Feb. 2? Why is Feb. 2 the Feast Day for the Presentation of Our Lord? We know Christmas is celebrated for 12 days, starting on Dec. 25.  We know that Epiphany falls on Jan. 6 every year.  So why Feb. 2 for this feast day?

For that, we turn to Jewish law.  Within the laws of Leviticus, it says, 

If a woman conceives and bears a male child, she shall be ceremonially unclean seven days; 3On the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. 4 Her time of blood purification shall be thirty-three days; she shall not touch any holy thing, or come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purification are completed.  6 When the days of her purification are completed, she shall bring to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting a lamb in its first year for a burnt offering, and a pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering. 7 He shall offer it before the Lord, and make atonement on her behalf; then she shall be clean from her flow of blood. This is the law for her who bears a child, male or female. 8 If she cannot afford a sheep, she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement on her behalf, and she shall be clean.

On Feb. 2, 40 days after the celebration of Christ’s birth and according to the law of Leviticus, Mary, the mother of Jesus, would present her sacrifice to the priest - a lamb in its first year for a burnt offering, and a pigeon or a dove for a sin offering.  The priest would make atonements on her behalf and she would be made clean. This is why Feb. 2 is the Feast day of the Presentation of Our Lord, because on the 40th day, Mary and Joseph would have taken Jesus and their offering to the temple so that she may be made clean.  And in this moment, as Mary and Joseph adhere to the laws of their faith, Luke introduces us to a man named Simeon and the prophet Anna.

These are brief moments in the overall narrative of Jesus, but they’re important to recognize.  This story is another reminder to us that Jesus was Jewish, born into a humble, well-meaning and devout Jewish household.  Mary and Joseph were obedient and caring, diligent in their practice of the law of Moses. And Jesus, well Jesus was there son.  Flesh of flesh. He was a very real baby with all the quirks, joys, frustrations, and sleepless nights of any other baby. And according to Jewish law, on the eighth day of Jesus’ infancy, he would have been circumcised and named.  According to Numbers 18, on the 31st day of his life, Jesus would have been brought to the Temple to be redeemed. The law states, 

the first issue of the womb of all creatures, human and animal, which is offered to the Lord, shall be yours; but the firstborn of human beings you shall redeem, and the firstborn of unclean animals you shall redeem. 16 Their redemption price, reckoned from one month of age, you shall fix at five shekels of silver.

And on the 40th day of birth, the mother would appear to the priest in the Temple to offer her sacrifice and to be cleansed.  

So, why is this is significant?  Why does this Feast day matter? Well, I think there are two important things for us to glean from this text and this feast day.  The first, is that Jesus was a human being. God took on human flesh, became truly human. God came among us in the very plain, ordinary walk of life.  To a very ordinary, some-what poor, devout family - God was born. Jesus was born in a Jewish household, to Jewish parents, and was raised in Jewish tradition and law.

I think sometimes we tend to hold the incarnation of God at arm’s length.  As a divine moment that is almost inconceivable or relatable.  But we must not forget the confession of our faith in which Christ was born fully human, fully divine.  It’s one of the great doctrines and mysteries of our faith. And it’s an important understanding, because it reminds us that God has acted and continues to act in the ordinary of life.  God knows the daily realities of our lives. God knows the weight of human joy and pain. God knows the agony of defeat and the despair of loss. God entered the ordinary walk of life to offer a new way of life. 

Much like through the ordinary elements of bread and wine, of water and word, God uses these ordinary means to offer grace, forgiveness, and eternal life.  Go uses the plain and ordinary, like you and me, to bring about the kingdom of God. And the promise of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, is that God will continue to bless us in this extraordinary and unbelievable ways.  So I think this moment is significant in our understanding of God’s incarnation - God’s beloved promise to abide within our lives.  

The second important truth that our text teaches us, is that this 40-day old, ordinary baby, Jesus Christ, is God’s son.  Jesus is God incarnate, the salvation for the people, the revelation for the Gentiles. This ordinary tiny human, is the savior of the nations.  The Messiah. The one called for. While Mary and Joseph fulfill the laws and traditions of their faith, God fulfills the promise proclaimed by the prophets and the Angel Gabriel, that this tiny human, God fulfills God’s promise to redeem the world.

There’s this beautiful, but almost haunting moment in today’s text.  It’s the Song of Simeon, the Nunc Dimittis. There was a man named Simeon who was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. ²⁶ It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah.  

To be sure, this is a man who is ready to die.  Following a full, righteous and devout life, he is near death.  But the Spirit of the Lord rests on him and reveals that he will not die until he has seen the Lord’s Messiah.  And so, he waits. Day after day at the Temple he waits. He waits for the Lord. Until the 40th day of Jesus’ life, when Simeon beholds the Lord’s Messiah, takes him into his arms and says,  

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.  

Having held and beheld God, Simeon’s lifetime of waiting is fulfilled.  And it’s a bit haunting because he sings a song about death. But for Simeon, it’s not simply that he may die, but that he may now die in peace.  Trusting in the fulfillment of God’s promise to redeem Israel. Simeon’s song is an affirmation of the Lord’s peace, gifted to the world, a gift of peace for the people Israel.  Indeed, a light of revelation. The long-awaited Messiah has come to restore God’s people and bring forth the reign of God. Simply beholding the son of God was the assurance of God’s promise fulfilled, which allowed Simeon to now depart in peace.  

Simeon’s song known as the Nunc Dimittis is one of the Christian church’s oldest songs.  It is often sung during evening prayer, vespers, or compline. In fact, every time we gather for worship on a Saturday evening, we sing it within our liturgy.  Do you know when? As communion comes to close, once all have had the opportunity to taste and see that the Lord is good, we sing Simeon’s Song, and the timing is not coincidence.  Once all have held and beheld the grace of God, we sing, “Now Lord, you let your servant go in peace: your word has been fulfilled.  My own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people; a light to reveal you to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.  Now Lord, you let your servant go in peace.”

Simeon was told by the Spirit that he will not depart until he saw the Lord’s Messiah.  And so Simeon spends his days, weeks, months, who knows how long waiting. Waiting in his old age.  With his physical ailments. With any infirmities. Waiting for this moment. And when he finally beholds the Messiah, he sings a somber yet hope-filled song - and what is beautiful is that he doesn't sing it for his own sake, but rather for the sake of the world.  

That the world around him will now behold the Lord’s Messiah.   The his eyes have seen God’s salvation, which God has prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”  And with the world now safely enfolded into the care of God’s promise, Simeon can rest in peace.

Few and far between are the liturgical moments to reflect on the infancy of Jesus.  God, in God’s infinite and unconditional love, comes to us in this tiny human, in the ordinary customs and traditions of life, and offers and extraordinary gift for all people - a gift of redemption and freedom, marked with justice and peace.   God is present. Very, really present. And God’s presence is good news for all people, in all times, in all places.

And on this, the 40th day of Jesus’ life, we celebrate the presence of God as the firstborn of Israel, the new lamb, offered as a sacrifice for the redemption of the world.  God’s promise fulfilled. Amen.

©Sermon preached by Pastor Daniel Locke on February 2, 2020 @ St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, FL

God gifts a new way of life! - Sermon Lent 3B

Listen to the gospel and sermon here.

John 2:13-22

¹³The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ¹⁴In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. ¹⁵Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. ¹⁶He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” ¹⁷His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” ¹⁸The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” ¹⁹Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” ²⁰The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” ²¹But he was speaking of the temple of his body. ²²After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

The story goes that there was a certain pastor of a large downtown church.  And due to the church’s size and location it was a very, very busy church.  The doors always seemed to be open, every room was booked weeks in advance for various groups, meetings, programs, organizations, classes, etc.  There was so much going on that it was near impossible to keep track, especially for the busy pastor. There were so many groups using the facility, it was getting out of control.   

Well the pastor began to notice that almost every Sunday before and after worship there would be at least 2 or three tables or booths set up in the narthex with 2 or three different groups or organizations would selling something.  Some were fundraisers.  Some were for profit.  Some were for the church, but most had nothing to do with the church.  There was always someone selling or peddling something.  He didn’t want to cause a scene, but week after week it weighed on him until his blood started to boil.  

Well on one particular Sunday, after a difficult week, he was in his office preparing for worship when his secretary knocked on the door.  Pastor, I just wanted to let you know that they just borrowed another table to set up in the Narthex.  Before she could finish her sentence he had had enough.  He threw down his Bible and lef this office with a purpose.  Where are you going?, the Secretary said?  I have had enough!  The church is not a marketplace or place of business and I am going to braid my whip and turn every last table in this church!  If Jesus can do, then God willing I can too!

He tossed open the door to the narthex and entered with a fury.  The secretary stood in the office door and waited.  A moment later the pastor returned to the office with his head down, looking both exhausted and defeated.  So, how’d it go? The secretary asked.  Did you channel your inner Jesus and kick them all out?  

No..he sighed...I couldn’t do it…and until Jesus comes back and turns over a table of Girl Scout Cookies they can stay.  

Jesus enters the temple mount this morning as the festival of The Passover approaches.   

The Passover was a major festival for the Jewish people, and at that time more than a hundred thousand people might journey to the temple to prepare for the festival. Thousands and thousands of people passing through the various temple gates.  People, animals, moneychangers, and merchants filling every corner, cove and portico.

So when Jesus steps into the outer porticos of the temple mount, it is busy busy busy with preparations.   Jesus’ blood begins to boil.  Now it’s worth noting that the business of The Passover preparations were all, for the most part, necessary.  

For the sacrifice of animals it was necessary that they be of a certain age, they had to be clean, and they had to be without blemish.  It was nearly impossible for a family to trek all the way to the temple with their animals while keeping them clean and without blemish.   So, for their convenience, the Temple was more than happy to sell you whatever animal you needed for the sacrificial rituals and traditions.  There might be a small convenience fee, but it would save the family a lot of effort.

But for many families who traveled from far away, they probably didn’t have the proper currency for acquiring such animals.   Well thank goodness for the moneychangers.   They were more than happy to exchange whatever you had into a proper currency. There might be a small surcharge, but they could work something out.  

So hundreds of thousands of Israelites journeyed to the Temple mount for The Passover, not only for tradition, but because the Temple is where God is.  So with money exchanged, a proper animal purchased, families were ready to celebrate The passover. What was intended to be a holy remembrance and ritual celebration had become an opportunity of commerce.   

And Jesus had seen enough.  The whole scene sets Jesus off and he braids a whip from chord and drives all the animals out of the Temple.  He flips tables.  Pours out the coins from their coffers.   In short, he causes a scene.  And it’s so intriguing because it’s not our “normal” Jesus.   He was upset because the Temple and the occasion had become a commercial, profitable event.  People were taking financial advantage of one other in the name of religious tradition.  And Jesus was clear to say that God’s house was NOT to be a marketplace.

So now I picture animals fleeing out the gates.  Coins bouncing like plastic cups in a cafeteria.  Tables and chairs clanging.  One by one the crowds stop what they’re doing to see what the fuss is all about.

And the Jews said to Jesus, “What the heck!? What sign can you show us for doing this?”   Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.  Now we have to respect how appalling that statement would sound.  

They’ve been building the temple brick by brick for nearly 50 years, and not only does Jesus suggest they destroy it, but also that he could rebuild it in three days.

In three days I will raise up God’s temple.  It’s easy for us to read this in light of the resurrection and see what Jesus was talking about.  But for the disciples, the Israelites, the Jewish leaders, the moneychangers, and merchants, they were unable to hear significance of Jesus’ statement.

In three days I will raise up God’s temple.  Jesus wasn’t suggesting that he could physically rebuild the temple mount, but rather in the great three days he would rebuild their understanding of faith in God.    Jesus Christ IS the temple of God.

For Jesus, God cannot and would not be confined to a temple.  For God’s temple is Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ is the incarnation of God, and in the resurrection of Jesus after the great three days, Jesus would reform their understanding of the temple from a physical place to a body, The body of Christ. God’s place in the world is in the body of Christ.  That’s us.

Through the waters of baptism we are welcomed into God’s temple...into the raised body...the body of Christ. The actions and works of God’s kingdom is in the body of Christ. The transactions carried out in Jesus name through the people of God.  Jesus was proclaiming a new understanding of God’s presence in the world.

God could not and would not be confined to the temple mount, nor is God confined to the church today. We might do well to remember that the church is not a building, it is a people.  A community of faith joined by God in water, word, and wine to be present in the world.  To recognize and participate in the new kingdom of God being built here and now.  To represent and re-present Christ in the world.  God re-forming God’s people. Instructing, giving, and offering a new way of being in community, a new way of living and worshiping God.  

After all, that is what God has always done, and will always do. Several hundred generations before Jesus ever entered the Temple mount, God was already offering  people a new way of life.  As the Israelites wandered through the wilderness and desert they were tired and hungry and annoyed.  Sure they’re free from slavery, but at least in Egypt they had some food and a place to sleep.  They grumbled with Moses and with God about their current situation.  And honestly, they were questioning what kind of God would save them only to leave them hungry and homeless and lost in the wilderness? Their disgruntledness was clouding their experience of God.

So God offers them a new way of life.  God gifts the ten commandments.  We don’t always hear the commandments as a gift. We tend to hear them as negatives or rules; thou shall not...thou shall not…But I think what God is offering them, and us, is not purely a set of rules, or laws on how to live, but rather a God gifts a new way of life.

Thou shall have no other gods...God says I am the one and only true God, the God who freed you from Exodus.   You call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.

Thou shall not murder...I, God, give you the gift of life

Thou shall not lie...I give you the gift of truth

Since the dawn of creation, God has always been about creating and recreating, gifting and regifting, forming and reforming.  From the commandments to the temple mount... from the resurrection to today...God continues to shape us into a new a community and a new way of life.  

In light of our texts today, we might consider two thoughts during our Lenten journey.

First, how is God shaping, reshaping, forming, and reforming your life.  As you wrestle with Lent and relationship with God, what tables is God turning in your life?  

Are their hindrances in between you and God?

Second, how is God at work in this community of faith.  Are we like the Temple Mount, busy with self-interest and personal gain...transacting the traditions of our faith, numb  the significance of God’s work. Do we misuse God’s gifts?   Do we grumble with the God who freed us and saved us?

And friends, I pray we hear these questions not as convictions of our faith and relationship with God, but rather that we hear them as opportunities for growth.  

While working at Lutheridge we were evaluated every week.  Every week we would write down a measurable goal, and on Saturday we would receive an evaluation.  At the bottom of that evaluation was a space the read “Opportunities for Growth.”  Rather than identifying and convicting shortcomings or failures, they would assess our individual and communal opportunities of growth.

Lent is a beautiful season to reflect on our opportunities for growth.  From Ash Wed. to the great Three days, we are empowered to wrestle with our individual and communal faith, acknowledging any shortcomings and self interests, confessing any sins or misuse of the gospel, all because we know through our baptism that on the third day Jesus rose from the dead for the forgiveness and mercy of all of God’s people.  

Make no mistake, Lent is a season of growth, and as God reshapes and reforms, God desires us to grow into communion with God and neighbor.  Grow into our new God-given community in the body of Christ.  To grow in our faith and understanding of God’s grace, forgiveness, mercy, and love.  

And the good news this day, in all of Lent, and always is that God never ceases in helping us grow in faith.  We are not alone nor are we ever on our own to grow in God’s kingdom.  We are the body of Christ, and together we are continuously and relentlessly being transformed by God.