The Gift of Place 🌟 Message 5

🌟 The Gift of Place 🌟 Message 5

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The Christmas story is about real people: Mary and Joseph, Zachariah and Elizabeth.  But it’s also about real places: Bethlehem, Judea, a stable and a manger.  All those places and spaces and locations in the Christmas story, they all matter.  And they all say something about Jesus.  

Scriptures | Luke 2:21-52

Jesus’ circumcision, naming, and temple presentation

When eight days had passed, Jesus’ parents circumcised him and gave him the name Jesus. This was the name given to him by the angel before he was conceived. When the time came for their ritual cleansing, in accordance with the Law from Moses, they brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. (It’s written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord.”) They offered a sacrifice in keeping with what’s stated in the Law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

Simeon’s response to Jesus

A man named Simeon was in Jerusalem. He was righteous and devout. He eagerly anticipated the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he wouldn’t die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple area. Meanwhile, Jesus’ parents brought the child to the temple so that they could do what was customary under the Law. Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God. He said,

“Now, master, let your servant go in peace according to your word,
    because my eyes have seen your salvation.
You prepared this salvation in the presence of all peoples.
It’s a light for revelation to the Gentiles
    and a glory for your people Israel.”

His father and mother were amazed by what was said about him. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “This boy is assigned to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that generates opposition so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your innermost being too.”

Anna’s response to Jesus

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, who belonged to the tribe of Asher. She was very old. After she married, she lived with her husband for seven years. She was now an 84-year-old widow. She never left the temple area but worshipped God with fasting and prayer night and day. She approached at that very moment and began to praise God and to speak about Jesus to everyone who was looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Jesus as a child in Nazareth

When Mary and Joseph had completed everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to their hometown, Nazareth in Galilee. The child grew up and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.

Jesus in the temple at Passover

Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. When he was 12 years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to their custom. After the festival was over, they were returning home, but the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t know it. Supposing that he was among their band of travelers, they journeyed on for a full day while looking for him among their family and friends. When they didn’t find Jesus, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple. He was sitting among the teachers, listening to them and putting questions to them. Everyone who heard him was amazed by his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were shocked.

His mother said, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Listen! Your father and I have been worried. We’ve been looking for you!”

Jesus replied, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house?” But they didn’t understand what he said to them.

Jesus went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. His mother cherished every word in her heart. Jesus matured in wisdom and years, and in favor with God and with people.

In Sunday's message, Brother Dwayne encouraged us to pause. At times we may need to pull off to the side of the road and pause, review our daily rhythms, and to see how God joins us in those rhythms.

Question 1 | You don’t have to have heard the sermon from Sunday, but if you were in church, watched online, what stuck with you?

Question 2 | Luke 2:21-24 | Mary and Joseph lived with the undercurrent of traditions their whole lives. Circumcision on the 8th day and bringing Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord were all normalities. They brought Jesus into this world, just as they would have brought any child. 

Before we give ourselves the chance to be exhausted with our daily routine, take a moment and think about your routines. How can we be loyal and devoted to God during the simplicity of your day to day routine; just as Mary and Joseph kept God first through the birth of Jesus?

Question 3 | Luke 2:22-35 | A man named Simeon, a man filled with the Holy Spirit had been shown that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord Christ. In the time of waiting, how can we find peace in the waiting to keep God’s word at the forefront of our hearts?

Question 3 | Luke 2:36-38 | Anna, a widow, waited upon the Lord in the temple, fasting and praying night and day. And then it came to pass that within the hour of Jesus in the temple, she began to give thanks to God. Has anyone else ever felt like God was not providing something that you felt you needed?

Follow Up | What are the simple, regular rhythms God calls us to and how do we find comfort in these rhythms when we find difficulty in waiting, difficulty in hearing God, difficulty in the day to day exhaustion?

Question 4 | Luke 2:51-52 | Be encouraged to read through 43-47. 

Verse 51 (ESV): And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. 

How do we grow in submission to God? In our daily routines, what are some ways that we can grow in our obedience to our Father?

Bonus Question | How can we embrace the gift of devotion, showing loyalty and faithfulness to God in our normal, daily, regular rhythms?