Simeon's Song of Peace

Luke 2:22-35 ESV

And 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 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,  “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;  for my eyes have seen your salvation   that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,   a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”  And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Rev. Charles Han

Jesus has been born and there are sacrifices that need to be made for this birth. They go to Jerusalem to offer these sacrifices. There is a man who has been waiting for the coming Messiah. He has been told by prophecy that he will see the Savior in his lifetime. He then blesses both Jesus and his parents.

The peace that Christ brings

Simeon says that now he has seen Jesus he can die in peace. We usually say this in a playful way. But this reveals something of our hearts. But Simeon is not being playful. This is more of a heavenly peace. What does this mean? He is ensured peace with God. He has been delivered from the fear of death. He is assured that when he dies and meets God, he will be live in heaven and find favor from God. Since we do not control when and how we die, there will be  plenty loose ends. But in Jesus all the necessary work has been done. There are no loose ends that needs to be done. This peace comes from eyes of faith. Simeon held baby Jesus and saw salvation.

How this peace is brought

When Simeon blesses the couple, he speaks of conflict. Rising and falling of people in Israel. A sword piercing Mary. He brings peace in the midst of conflict. What a paradox. He brings this peace by expanding the kingdom of God. We find peace when Jesus reigns in more and more of our lives. When Christ comes, there is opposition. Whether Jerusalem or our hearts, when Jesus comes in there will be conflict. When we become a Christian, there will be opposition and rebellion within our own hearts.

Are you like the Jews trying to find peace in your life by having God improve your circumstances? Or are you trying to submit more of your life to the Lord Jesus? Jesus doesn't come to change our circumstances. He comes to save us from our sins. It is a spiritual struggle. That is what constitutes a Christian life. A spiritual war within as well as an inward peace. That is what is necessary for heavenly peace.

Mary's Magnificat

Luke 1:46-56 ESV

And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever." And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

Rev. David Skinner

Mary hears that her old aunt is pregnant. They are together in miraculous pregnancy. This is a tumultuous time. Mary is a virgin. She's pledged to be married. And then along comes an angel, who says she is pregnant. Rumors and gossip are starting to circulate in her town. Joseph is planning to quietly divorce her, otherwise she might be killed. What is the first thing she heard upon coming to visit her aunt, Elizabeth? Blessed. There are many troubling things, but she is favored by God. God is here and in our lives. Jesus is not just a baby in a manger. Jesus is in the world, permeated throughout every aspect of our lives. But we don't see it, we often live as functional atheists. But God is there in our everyday lives.

Mary is greeted by the angel... And there is no freaking out on her part. There are plenty of people who freak out when an angel appears throughout scripture. But she is calm, she's more troubled by what the angel says then the appearance of an angel. The angel tells her that she's pregnant. She takes the angel at his word. She believes that she was pregnant and then says how she could be pregnant, being a virgin? She's wondering if this angel knows how pregnancy works... Just a conversation with an angel. Nothing amiss here. The angel replies, the holy spirit will be the father of her babe. Mary says, okay.

Mary applies the scripture in her life. She sees God in the everyday. Her song includes words from various parts of the bible. Her reaction to the angel is the reaction of one who assumes the world has angels and a God who intervenes. On earth as it is in heaven so to speak...

When she sings of God, she exalts in God. One who gives mercy and raises the lowly. She is familiar with how God works. This is just like God to do something like this. She is a simple young girl from a small town. And God comes to save the world through her.

Do you fear God? God can give us wrath and death beyond imagination. He can destroy both body and soul. He gives grace to the humble and fearful. God humbles the proud. He lifts up the humble. Repent of our self glorification. The instagrams. The pictures of food. Stop trying to make our mark on the world. God is against such people.

God feeds the hungry. He offers food, true food and pure living water. Not food that does not satisfy. Mary lives in a world where God provides for those who are his. Where angels are normal. And babies can come from virgins, if God wills it.

God gives his perfect son through a virgin. To die upon a cross so that we who are lacking will have enough; those who are afraid will be given courage; those who don't live god fearing lives, will have help. So that sinners will have a great help.

The songs of Christmas: Zachariah's praise

Luke 1:57-80 ESV

Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, but his mother answered, "No; he shall be called John." And they said to her, "None of your relatives is called by this name." And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us  from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Rev. Dan Whang

Advent is a good time to draw close to God through the story of the incarnation, Jesus' coming. To take time away from all the shopping, food, and celebrations... And celebrate the coming of the Christ.

The passage speaks of Zacharia's response to the coming of Christ. Benedictus is the name given to his response. This word came after a long period of silence. The prophets had stopped. The people had only the old testament words to study and wait for the coming Savior.

Reasons to live with hope

Christ's visitation had a saving purpose

When Jesus came, it was to save. To save his people from soon and death. It was to bring redemption and deliverance. He is God's compassion and love to sinners. This should give us an enduring hope.

Christ's visitation was predicted and fulfilled

Christ came to fulfill the word of the prophets. He is the one to complete the covenant. He is a promise from God. This is not a promise from people, but God. This is a guarantee from God. This means there are things that we can build our lives on. That God will be with those who love and follow Him. That there is always grace for the day. God works for those who love him. We have hope regardless of how our lives or faith is doing. We can stand on the authority and promises of God.

Christ's visitation brought a transforming enablement.

Perhaps we are stuck by fear. That we must serve to keep people happy, to keep God happy. Or we are afraid to serve, we think we are unworthy or not good enough. But Jesus is our acceptance and worth. He brings love and grace. Jesus is the fulfillment of the whole law. Something that we sinners cannot do. He justifies us and clothes us in His righteousness. For those who serve, we fail constantly. But we are covered by His righteousness. We can serve confidently because we are covered by Christ.

Christ's visitation leaves an eternal impact

He brings light to those in darkness. Pardon for those condemned. And guidance for those walking in the shadow of death. He comes for those in shadows and doubt, He brings light. For those caught in sin, he brings life and freedom. For those lost and wandering, there is a shepherd who will guide you.

Members of one another

Romans 12:3-8 ESV

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Rev Dwight Yoo

What does it mean to be a member of a church?

To belong to each other

Salvation is not by what we do but rather what Christ has done. It is started by the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit will complete the work. What does this look like? All of life becomes an act of worship. The church is an integral part of this process. The process of becoming like Christ requires a church. When we become a believer by faith, we now have a relationship with every believer. We are all brothers and sisters to one another. Regardless of political stance, race, ethnic background, etc. When we are adopted into the body of Christ, we don't get to choose our family members. But we don't belong to an organization, we belong to a body of believers, the people of the church. We belong to the individuals of the local church. We are not a club where we can pay dues and get benefits. The church is not for consumers. It is a body. It requires both give and take. The eye requires blood to function. It also gives; it gives sight to the body.

To contribute confidently, but not condescendingly

Everyone in the body has gifts. They are all to contribute to the body. Some have more gifts than others in the body. But Paul tells us to watch our attitudes. That those who have more gifts have been given more by God by grace. These are gifts from God by grace, not by works. We are to be humble in contributing with our gifts. We are, as members, to contribute to the body. But we are also to use it with the right attitude.

Meeting consistently and constructively

We are to meet each other regularly. And not just to play, but to spur each other to do good works. We are to remind each other. We are to encourage one another. To keep fighting the good fight.

When we do not meet regularly, this can often come from idolotry. From fear of losing out in our career or school. We forget that living and loving one another is one of the marks of the Christian is the way we love one another.

Culture, creativity, and grace

Genesis 2:8-25 ESV

And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers. The name of the first is the Pishon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. And the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there. The name of the second river is the Gihon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Cush. And the name of the third river is the Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates. The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." Then the Lord God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

Psalms 8:1-9 ESV

O Lord , our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. O Lord , our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Mr. Andy Crouch

Most of our time is spent working. It is what takes up the most of our time outside of church worship. To get a good picture of work, we should not start in Genesis three, but rather Genesis one and two. The first references to humans is "earthling". They are not yet man and woman. But rather like earth. We are not extraterrestrial. We are much like the rest of the created animals of earth. Not only that, but these earthlings are given a lot of authority. We have an innate sense of responsibility for animals. We have been given dominion over not only domesticated animals, not only land animals, but even birds and even the teeming fish of the sea. So what does this have to do with our work? We are given a piece of God's creation and we are to celebrate and improve this small part of God's creation. But we are also naked. We are incredibly vulnerable. Humans don't fit into any one ecological niche. We are so vulnerable when we are first born. As image bearers, we are both authoritative as well as vulnerable. We are not meant to be alone. We have authority over the world, yet we retain the created creature's vulnerability. It is erroneous to think we can grow in authority without growing in vulnerability. We are meant to clear over each other's vulnerability in relationship. We are many to create and cultivate. Our purpose is not to sit back and drink little drinks with little hats. We are meant to cultivate. To maintain and increase the fruitfulness of creation. We are meant to keep culture good. We are meant in our workplaces to find that which is good and keep it as good. We are not called to impact the world. We are to maintain and keep it good. But are not to just to conserve. We are also to create with the things of creation. All healthy work is a combination of conservation and innovation. To have one without the other is unhealthy.

Consider live music. It requires using our authority and considers traditions and that which currently exists. And it requires vulnerability on the part of the performer. And it requires a relationship with your audience. Only when we have authority, vulnerability, and relationship can we have flourishing.

Abraham pleads for the city

Genesis 18:16-33 ESV

Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. The Lord said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him." Then the Lord said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know." So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord . Then Abraham drew near and said, "Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" And the Lord said, "If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake." Abraham answered and said, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?" And he said, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there." Again he spoke to him and said, "Suppose forty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of forty I will not do it." Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there." He answered, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there." He said, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it." Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there." He answered, "For the sake of ten I will not destroy it." And the Lord went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Why he pleads

God leads Abraham to plead. God starts off with an internal debate. He considers whether to discuss the issue with Abraham. So God decides to wait and talk with Abraham. He wants to teach Abraham how to live in righteousness. A way of living in community that promotes the life of all its members.

Because of his compassion for the lost. Abraham could have pleaded for his relative, Lot. But instead he pleads for the entire city. He could have pleaded for the righteous to be saved only. But no, he asks for the wicked to be spared on behalf of the wicked. Not only this, but pleads for other peoples, not just his own. Prophets only cry out for their own people, but Abraham calls out for foreigners. Foreign people may become enemies, who do not worship God.

Because of his role in redemption. This is a minority tribe outnumbered by a world full of tribes who do not worship the one true God. So how many? Abraham wanted to know how many believers would stay the destruction of the city. They went back and forth. And when they hit the number ten, God ends the conversation. Commentators say that ten is minimum for a synagogue or a church. One church is enough for the redemption of an entire city. They are enough to preserve a city.

Why he is able to plead

God was a friend to Abraham. So they can go back and forth. They can discuss the nitty gritty. Because Jesus was abandoned, we can all be friends with God.

Why we should plead for our own cities

Because God leads us to. God desires the redemption of the lost and sinners. He wishes for their salvation. Our hearts should be troubled by those living in sin, those who do not know the Lord.

Matthew 9:37-38 ESV

Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;  therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

We are troubled by God. But we do not plead with God over these things. We stop by wishing someone would be caught. We stop short of praying. God troubles us so that we would pray.

Because of our compassion for the lost. We are different from the people out there because God opened our eyes. We are just like those outside the church. The only thing different is the grace of God. One sign of spiritual maturity is the knowledge that we are just as sinful as those outside the church.

The gospel according to Abraham: The greatest test of Faith and the greatest testament to Love

Genesis 22:1-19 ESV

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you." And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here am I, my son." He said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together. When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place, "The Lord will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided."  And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, "By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord , because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice." So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.

Rev. Dwight Yoo

This is the climactic moment in the life of Abraham. It is a very dramatic event.

Faith Tested

God told Abraham that he was to be tested. God told Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, as a burnt offering. This sounds insane. But during these times, the Canaanite worldview said that the god that provided fertility was also entitled to a portion of what had been provided. This included animals, grains, and even children. This would have been a normal request to Abraham. It must have made no sense. God promised to make a great nation through this son. And now, God asks for Isaac as a burnt offering. But God knows that Abraham will obey. So why does God ask for this? God knows what will happen, but God still asks Abraham for his son.

God wanted the expression of Abraham's devotion. Not just the emotion. Isaac is the symbol of all of Abraham's hopes and joy. Abraham has been waiting for his entire lifetime. And God asks it. He wants to know, will God be sufficient. Does Abraham follow God because of God's promise or is it because God is enough? Would we follow God, if all we got was pain? This is the test of devotion and love for God. As believers, we are called to leave everything, take up our cross, and follow God.

The second test is one of trust. Does Abraham trust God enough to follow through even when the instructions make no sense, cruel, and painful?

Faith Proved

This is the heart of faith. Abraham did not argue with God. He did not delay. He woke up early in the morning. The mountain was a three days trip. There was plenty of time to turn back and to change his mind. But Abraham does not turn back. He does not hesitate. We can only imagine how Abraham struggled internally. It is possible that Abraham believed that God could raise the dead. So even if Abraham sacrificed his son, Good could raise him from the dead.

Hebrews 11:17-19 ESV

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

Abraham has failed to believe in God. Plenty of tests where Abraham failed to believe. But now, Abraham has such a mature faIsaac, Not only this, but God is working out this kind of faith in us as well.

Testament to Love

This passage does not only speak of Abraham's love and devotion to God. It also speaks of God's love and devotion to us. God provides and sees to the blessing of Abraham's descendants. Even though Abraham and his descendants are sinful and difficult, God sees to it. He does it. God would provide through a substitute. Since the ram was sacrificed instead of Isaac, Abraham knew that God would provide a sacrifice in our stead.

John 8:56 ESV

Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad."

Another man also carried wood up this same mountain range. He was also silent as he was prepared for sacrifice. And just like Abraham agonized for three days, God experienced this same pain. But there was no one to stay the knife. God allowed his only son to be tortured and beaten beyond recognition. Not only that, but willed it. To die for the enemies of God. What kind of love is this?

Romans 8:32 ESV

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?