Jesus the Missing Link
Luke 2:29-38
Jim Davis
The gospel stories open with the anticipation of
the coming of the Messianic king.
The Gentile world as well as the Jewish world was anticipating
the coming of the king. The Jewish world had been intensely looking for a
Messianic king for over 450 years. Today many Jews are still looking for the
Messiah. The Old Testament closes with these words which expressed Israel’s
frustration from waiting the Messiah 450 years before the Messiah came. They
were so frustrated that many were beginning to think that it was futile to
serve God as they awaited Israel’s redemption. Malachi tells us what they
were thinking.
Malachi 3:14-18
14 "You have said, 'It is futile to serve
God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like
mourners before the LORD Almighty? 15 But now we call the arrogant blessed.
Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.'"
16 Then those who feared the LORD talked
with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance
was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored
his name.
17 "They will be mine," says the LORD
Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare
them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. 18 And you
will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between
those who serve God and those who do not. NIV
The
stories of the gospels take up where Malachi left off, only it was 450 years
after Malachi wrote the last book of the Old Testament. Imagine
waiting 450 years for the Messiah to come.
The King Is Coming
Throughout the gospels accounts we see that the
Jews were anticipating the coming of the Messiah. In Matthew
chapter 1 the writer tells us that Jesus is the son of David. He traces
Jesus’ genealogy from Abraham through king David and continues the genealogy
through Joseph. The really important thing to pick upon in the
first chapter of Matthew is that Jesus is the son of David. The Jews were
anticipating that a son of David, who would also be from the tribe of Judah,
would come as the Messiah to sit upon the throne of David.
The Magi
from the east were anticipating one who would be born king of the Jews.
In the second chapter of Matthew the Magi from the east, who by the way were
not Jewish, they were Oriental scientist; by implication magicians, or wise
men who came asking, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have
seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2). They
saw his star because they were looking for it. They naturally came to the
capital of the Jewish nation, and from there they were led to the Christ
child by the star.
That eastern
star went ahead of the Magi until it stopped over the place where the child
was. When the wise men found the child they fell down and worshipped him.
They opened their treasures and presented their gifts of gold, and
frankincense, and myrrh. Then angels warned the wise men not to return to
Herod, so Herod slew all the babies in Bethlehem two years old and younger.
It is evident that even Herod was fearfully
anticipating the Messiah. Herod, who was a Gentile king, was
troubled by their inquiry? He had questioned the wise men about when they
first saw the star, then, he ordered them to find the baby and send him word
of the baby’s presence so he could come and worship him. Instead, when they
did not return he ordered all the babies two years old and younger to be
slaughter.
Those who worshipped God in spirit and truth were
anxiously anticipating the Messiah.
Luke records Jesus’ parents bringing him to the temple for purification,
while there they met Simeon, a devout man who was waiting for the
consolation of Israel, who was full of the Holy Spirit. The Lord had
revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Christ.
Simeon took the baby in his arms and proclaimed:
Luke 2:29-38
29 "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of
all people,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."
33 The child's father and mother marveled at
what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his
mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in
Israel,
and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of
many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."
36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the
daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived
with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow
until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and
day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave
thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to
the redemption of Jerusalem. NIV
Four hundred and fifty years of waiting drove them
to look for Jesus like they were looking for the missing link to their
lives. The faithful Jews were expecting the Messiah to bring
the consolation and the redemption of Israel. The Samaritan woman believed
the Messiah was the missing link to what she needed to know.
John 4:21-26
21 Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a
time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor
in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship
what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and
has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and
truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is
spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
25 The woman said, "I know that Messiah"
(called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to
us."
26 Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you
am he." NIV
Have you
noticed something about the coming of the Messiah? They had a hard time
seeing the Messiah when he did come. Jesus Christ is the one the world has
a hard time seeing, and I believe this is true with many congregations
throughout the world. Without Christ the world is incomplete—without him
your life is incomplete—without him there is no church. There can be no true
church without the presence of Christ’s spirit, or without the mind of
Christ.
Today as we
approach Christmas many are trying to remind us that Jesus is the reason for
the season. They get upset when we take Jesus out of Christmas. However, the
Bible teaches us that Jesus was the reason that God created every season—he
was the reason God created the world.
Without Christ
the world is lost—have you notice that the darkness in the lost world is
getting darker—the world as well as the church needs the direction only
Jesus can give.
No Jesus No Peace, Know Jesus Know Peace
Jesus is the missing link in many lives.
When the angels proclaimed Christ’s coming to the shepherds they
sang: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his
favor rests" (Luke 2:14 NIV). It is little wonder that the Spirit led Simeon
and Anna to expect the consolation and redemption of Israel. The culmination
of God’s hopes and dreams for heaven and earth descended to the earth as God
became flesh.
Jesus descended to his throne to bring peace
through service to humanity. He was much different than most
earthly kings—he descended from heaven’s throne to live among us—to live
life as we must live it. Earthly kings usually ascend to their throne, and
always rule so that the subjects of the kingdom can serve them.
1 Samuel 8:6-18
6 But when they said, "Give us a king to
lead us," this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. 7 And the LORD
told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you
they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8 As they have
done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking
me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. 9 Now listen to them;
but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over
them will do."
10 Samuel told all the words of the LORD to
the people who were asking him for a king. 11 He said, "This is what the
king who will reign over you will do: He will take your sons and make them
serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his
chariots. 12 Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and
commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest,
and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 13
He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will
take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to
his attendants. 15 He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage
and give it to his officials and attendants. 16 Your menservants and
maidservants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his
own use. 17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will
become his slaves. 18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from
the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day." NIV
Ironically, this was the kind of king Israel was
still looking for in the Messiah. They thought of an earthly
king that would overcome world powers through physical conflict.
Jesus came with the attitude of a servant king.
Matthew 20:25-28
25 Jesus called them together and said, "You
know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high
officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever
wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants
to be first must be your slave- 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." NIV
Herod killed all the babies two years old and
younger because his position was threatened. Jesus never felt
threatened by others.
Luke 9:46-50
46 An argument started among the disciples
as to which of them would be the greatest. 47 Jesus, knowing their thoughts,
took a little child and had him stand beside him. 48 Then he said to them,
"Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever
welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you
all-he is the greatest."
49 "Master," said John, "we saw a man
driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not
one of us."
50 "Do not stop him," Jesus said, "for
whoever is not against you is for you." NIV
Herod was afraid that someone greater than him
would overshadow him, or dethrone him but Jesus was not afraid that others
would do greater works than he did.
John 14:12-14
12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has
faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things
than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you
ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may
ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. NIV
Last supper discussions revolved around who was to
be the greatest. Jesus had no more instituted the Lord’s memorial feast when
a discussion broke out which would be the greatest in his kingdom.
Luke 22:24-30
24 Also a dispute arose among them as to
which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, "The
kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority
over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that.
Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who
rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the
table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am
among you as one who serves. 28 You are those who have stood by me in my
trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on
me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on
thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. NIV
Jesus demonstrated the heart of a servant as he
got up in the middle of the discussion and began to wash the disciples’
feet.
John 13:1-17
13:1 It was just before the Passover Feast.
Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the
Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the
full extent of his love.
2 The evening meal was being served, and the
devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he
had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal,
took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After
that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet,
drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him,
"Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
7 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now
what I am doing, but later you will understand."
8 "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my
feet."
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have
no part with me."
9 "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not
just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"
10 Jesus answered, "A person who has had a
bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are
clean, though not every one of you." 11 For he knew who was going to betray
him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12 When he had finished washing their feet,
he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I
have done for you?" he asked them. 13 "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and
rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher,
have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have
set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you
the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater
than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be
blessed if you do them. NIV
Earthly rulers desire recognition and praise.
The Caesars in Rome even command citizens to worship them.
Jesus teaches us to do our duty and forget about the recognition.
Luke 17:7-10
7 "Suppose one of you had a servant plowing
or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in
from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'? 8 Would he not rather
say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and
drink; after that you may eat and drink'? 9 Would he thank the servant
because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done
everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we
have only done our duty.'" NIV
Jesus was
exalted to God’s right hand because he came to this earth to exalt us though
serving our needs. Christianity is not designed to bring men
cowering to one another or to God. Christ came to lift us up to God.
Conclusion:
Jesus could have called twelve legends of angels
to force men to do what he commanded. Instead he chose to be crucified.
Matthew 26:48-54
49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said,
"Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.
50 Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came
for."
Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus
and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his
sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off
his ear.
52 "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus
said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you
think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal
more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be
fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?" NIV
Sadly, Jesus’
attitude of desiring to follow the Scripture’s path to greatness is the
missing link in the world and in the church. We need to find him in the
worst way.
Jesus Christ
may be the missing link in your life. Why don’t you invite him into your
life so that he can reconnect you to God?
Gospel of
Christ is God’s message give to save us (Romans 1:16).
You must listen
to what Christ instructs you to do (Romans 10:17).
You must
believe Christ message and follow his instructions.
You must
confess Christ (Matthew 10:31-32).
You must repent
of your sins (Luke 13:3).
You must be
baptized into Christ, it is the only place forgiveness can be found (Acts
2:38)
You must arise
out of baptism to follow Christ (Romans 1:1-6).
