Salvation In Three Stories
The Shepherds, Simeon, and Anna
SCRIPTURE:
Luke 2:10-11, 14 NLT - …"Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! ... Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."
OBSERVATION:
In this chapter of his gospel, Luke gives a detailed account of the events surrounding Jesus Christ's birth. It begins with angels appearing to shepherds, telling them to go and see the Messiah—Jesus, born as a humble baby and lying in a manger.
We also see a man named Simeon, an older man who had been promised by God that he would see the Messiah's birth before he died. Similarly, we meet another witness, Anna, who, at eighty-four, had been waiting a long time for the Messiah since her husband’s death after seven years of marriage.
Each of these three people saw one key truth: salvation had arrived.
The Shepherds: Not the most obvious candidates to announce the birth of the King of Kings, shepherds were known for their questionable lifestyles and poor reputations. They weren't, at this point in history, the people you'd want around your children. Yet they were chosen to see the Messiah—the Lord, the Savior—who would not judge according to questionable or good character but came to save all who would come to Him.
Their witness was so powerful that everyone who heard it was left speechless.
Luke 2:17-18 NLT - After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished.
Simeon: He was, by all accounts, a righteous and devoted man, waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. He led a life of devotion and was regarded as a “righteous man.” For many years, he eagerly looked forward to the Messiah—the Lord, the Savior—who would not distinguish between the righteous and unrighteous but came to save everyone who would come to Him.
His testimony shows that even the righteous need the promised salvation.
Luke 2:28-32 NLT - …He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, "Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!"
Anna: Deeply religious and devoted to God, since her husband's death, she has never left the temple, fasting, praying, and serving the Lord. At eighty-four years old, she still recognized that religion alone is meaningless without the Messiah—the Lord, the Savior—who does not differentiate between the religious and the non-religious but comes to save everyone who will come to Him.
Her testimony demonstrated that even the most devoted still need the Messiah.
Luke 2:38 NLT - …She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.
APPLICATION:
All three witnesses share a message of hope: the Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born. Their testimony reveals the “Good News.”
Shepherds – Good News of great joy (v. 10).
Simeon – Promised salvation (vv. 29-30).
Anna – Our rescue has come (v. 38).
Their message still resonates today. Whether you are of questionable character, righteous, or deeply religious, you still need a Savior. He has come! Salvation is available through Jesus Christ, the Savior, the Messiah, the Lord.
Salvation has come for every man, woman, and child.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for coming into a world that was lost and hopeless. Thank You that the “questionable,” the “righteous,” and the “religious” can all find salvation in You. Thank You for the Good News—the Savior, yes, the Messiah, the Lord has come.
Luke 2:10-11, 14 NLT - …"Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! ... Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."
OBSERVATION:
In this chapter of his gospel, Luke gives a detailed account of the events surrounding Jesus Christ's birth. It begins with angels appearing to shepherds, telling them to go and see the Messiah—Jesus, born as a humble baby and lying in a manger.
We also see a man named Simeon, an older man who had been promised by God that he would see the Messiah's birth before he died. Similarly, we meet another witness, Anna, who, at eighty-four, had been waiting a long time for the Messiah since her husband’s death after seven years of marriage.
Each of these three people saw one key truth: salvation had arrived.
The Shepherds: Not the most obvious candidates to announce the birth of the King of Kings, shepherds were known for their questionable lifestyles and poor reputations. They weren't, at this point in history, the people you'd want around your children. Yet they were chosen to see the Messiah—the Lord, the Savior—who would not judge according to questionable or good character but came to save all who would come to Him.
Their witness was so powerful that everyone who heard it was left speechless.
Luke 2:17-18 NLT - After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished.
Simeon: He was, by all accounts, a righteous and devoted man, waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. He led a life of devotion and was regarded as a “righteous man.” For many years, he eagerly looked forward to the Messiah—the Lord, the Savior—who would not distinguish between the righteous and unrighteous but came to save everyone who would come to Him.
His testimony shows that even the righteous need the promised salvation.
Luke 2:28-32 NLT - …He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, "Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!"
Anna: Deeply religious and devoted to God, since her husband's death, she has never left the temple, fasting, praying, and serving the Lord. At eighty-four years old, she still recognized that religion alone is meaningless without the Messiah—the Lord, the Savior—who does not differentiate between the religious and the non-religious but comes to save everyone who will come to Him.
Her testimony demonstrated that even the most devoted still need the Messiah.
Luke 2:38 NLT - …She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.
APPLICATION:
All three witnesses share a message of hope: the Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born. Their testimony reveals the “Good News.”
Shepherds – Good News of great joy (v. 10).
Simeon – Promised salvation (vv. 29-30).
Anna – Our rescue has come (v. 38).
Their message still resonates today. Whether you are of questionable character, righteous, or deeply religious, you still need a Savior. He has come! Salvation is available through Jesus Christ, the Savior, the Messiah, the Lord.
Salvation has come for every man, woman, and child.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for coming into a world that was lost and hopeless. Thank You that the “questionable,” the “righteous,” and the “religious” can all find salvation in You. Thank You for the Good News—the Savior, yes, the Messiah, the Lord has come.
No matter your background, salvation has come—Jesus died for all.
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