I'M READY TO DIE (LUKE 2:25-35)
I'M READY TO DIE
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LUKE 2:25-35
Prepared by krisha of Solomon FB page
MEMORY
VERSE:
LUKE 2:30
“For mine eyes have seen thy salvation”
INTRODUCTION:
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If
we are asked, “Are you ready to die?” Christians would reply, “YES, AMEN!”
Could you still answer “YES” if we talk about your ministry? Did you already
your best for it? This question can only be answered by ourselves.
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Death
is a concern to us to some extent. We hear people say from time to time, “I am
not afraid to die, but I am concerned about how I am going to die.” I think
that statement is true for most of us here. We don’t want to spend some
agonizing weeks or months actively dying. That is something to be concerned
about. We also think our family; most Filipinos are very attached to our
families and we don’t want to leave them. That’s why we are concern also in our
health. Are we ready to leave our
families? Are our families ready for our death?
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In
our lesson for today from Luke, there was a man in Jerusalem who told the Lord
that he was ready to die, and we’ll try to understand what he meant by this
statement. This lesson is titled “I AM READY TO DIE.”
LESSON
OUTLINE:
1)
I’M READY TO DIE BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN THE
LORD JESUS CHRIST
(LUKE 2:25-28)
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Simeon lived in Jerusalem. He was probably an old man,
though we are not told this, and no indication is given of his position in
life, nor as to whether he was rich or poor. However, there is one very important thing which we are told about him,
and that is that day by day, as he lived
and worked, he was “waiting for the consolation of Israel” (Luke 2:25); that
is, he was waiting for and living in the
expectation of the coming of the Messiah.
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When the child Jesus brought in the temple, Simeon
took him up in his arms and blessed him.
In this verse shows Simeon welcomed Jesus.
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How about us? Spiritually speaking, when we found
Jesus in our lives, we are ready to die; we
are saved from the penalty of sin from hell and we can now go to heaven.
2) I’M READY TO DIE BECAUSE THERE’S A LIGHT TO LIGHTEN THE GENTILES
(LUKE 2:32)
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Simeon
is serious and sincere; it is mentioned in verse 25 “just and devout,” waiting
for the consolation of Israel.
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The Spirit-controlled life is a life which is endued
with the Spirit, taught of the Spirit and led by the Spirit. Simeon had an
insight into dispensational truth, as verses 30-32 indicate. In verse 32 he stated that the Lord Jesus was
to be, first, “a light to enlighten the Gentiles”; and second, “and the glory
of thy people Israel”. He knew that although He had come to His own people they would reject Him, and the
gospel would be preached to the Gentiles (John 1:11; Acts 28:28). Notice also
that the Holy Spirit always leads to and glorifies the Lord Jesus –- compare verse 27 with John 16:13-14.
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Simeon
was ready to die because there’s a light to lighten the Gentiles. He had seen
the glimpse of the future salvation of the Gentiles. Have you seen what this
verse implies? Let’s personalize this verse; we can say we’re ready to die if
our love ones, friends, relatives, neighbors, community or anyone who are under
our responsibility have found the Lord in their lives or heard the free gift of
salvation. Also we can see in these verses our real purpose here on earth,
share the free gift of salvation.
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One
important thing we can see in Simeon’s life is ‘True achievement comes upon seeing the salvation of the Gentiles and
Jews through Jesus Christ.’ Simeon’s reaction was he was fulfilled and
satisfied for the salvation of people. What is the achievement we can say in
our spiritual journey? Personally, we can notice in most of the people’s
reaction when they hear announcement that there are people heard the Gospel or
get saved, Christians have no reaction and they don’t shout Amen! Remember the
verse in Luke 15: 7 “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner
that repenteth…” Let’s show
that we’re rejoicing for even one person who accepted Christ as his personal
Lord and Saviour.
3) I’M READY TO DIE BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN THE GLORY OF THE PEOPLE,
ISRAE (LUKE 2:32)
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And the glory …
- The first offer of salvation was
made to the Jews, John 4:22; Luke 24:47. Jesus
was born among the Jews; to them had been given the prophecies respecting him,
and his first ministry was among them. Hence, he was their glory, their honor,
their light.
Christ was the glory of Israel.
a) Because
He was a Jew by birth.
b) Because His history has vindicated all that was peculiar
in the Jewish polity.
c) Because
He confined His personal ministry to the Jews.
d) Because
He has stamped the impress of Jewish thought on the mind of man.
e) Because
He has invested the condition and prospects of the Jews with universal interest.
(G. Brooks.)
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How about us?
Who is our glory? When we say that Christ is our glory, we mean that WE GET ALL
THE GLORY WE HAVE THROUGH HIM. Some men go to the schools for glory, others to
the camps of war. In all kinds of places men have sought after honour, but the
believer saith that Christ is the mine in which he digs for this gold, Christ
is the sea in which he fishes for this pearl; he gives up all other searchings
and looks for glory in Jesus, and nowhere else.
CONCLUSION:
Simeon
says in verses 29 and 30 “Lord , now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,
according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation.” Let’s paraphrase
and personalize these verses, “Lord, I’m ready to die because I have seen your
salvation.” Can we say these words?
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We
are imperfect people and we possibly can’t say these words but we have a great
work God has entrusted in us which mentioned in Matthew 28:19-20 “Go
ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the
end of the world. Amen”. WE SHOULD DO OUR PART! And for those Christians who are
presently doing it “DON’T GIVE UP. KEEP ON SHARING!”
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