Feb 2018 Sermon - The Presentation of Christ (5th Sunday of Epiphany)

Lectionary readings: Malachi 3.1-5, Luke 2.22-40, Psalm 24 (main sources), Hebrews 2.14-18,

Sermon title: Imagine with me if you will ....

I was only little when my family and I travelling to Jerusalem to give thanks for the safe arrival of our new baby in the family. My cousin had just had a baby boy and 40 days had past so it was time for the purification according to the law of Moses, my family like many others came up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), We had other things to give thanks for so we all travelled together. As we left our village grandfather started to cheer us all up as it was a long way to go.

My siblings and I walked alongside grandfather through the hills and valleys. He reminded us of God’s scriptures and said let’s play a game reciting scripture. He began with a bit of Malachi - ‘See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me,’ and we replied ‘and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple!’ Then he said ‘The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight’ we replied ‘—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts!’

As we finally rounded the top of the last hill looking up towards Jerusalem we saw the Temple of the Lord and we cheered. Grandfather called out ‘The earth is the Lord’s and all that fills it,’ and we all yelled back ‘the compass of the world and all who dwell therein.’ We were reciting Ps 24, one of our favourites! As we started to climb up the hill where Jerusalem sits grandfather yelled out ‘Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord, • or who can rise up in his holy place?’ and we chimed in ‘Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, • who have not lifted up their soul to an idol, nor sworn an oath to a lie; ‘They shall receive a blessing from the Lord, a just reward from the God of their salvation.’

We all giggled when other people going up and down the hill answered too. As my cousin adjusted the baby in her arms she smiled as we came close to one of the gates of the city.

Grandfather again called out ‘Such is the company of those who seek him, and we replied ‘of those who seek your face, O God of Jacob.’

Grandfather carried on the game as we passed through each entryway. As we passed through threshold of the city gate grandfather said ‘Lift up your heads, O gates; be lifted up, you everlasting doors;’ and we replied ‘and the King of glory shall come in.’ As we came closer to the courtyard of the gentiles grandfather gathered us close. The place was busy and many people were coming and going. As we went up the steps to the temple grandfather called out, ‘who is the King of glory?’ and we all replied ‘The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord who is mighty in battle’.

We saw many people in the courtyard of the gentiles and as we approached the Beautiful Gate - the entrance to the women’s court grandfather called out ‘Lift up your heads, O gates be lifted up, you everlasting doors;’ and we replied and ‘the King of glory shall come in.’

As he and the men went to the doorway to the court of the Jews he said one more time ‘Who is this King of glory?’ and we replied ‘The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory!’ They went forward and we all scattered, my siblings and I exploring.

Every year we went up to the temple I watched with fascination as people gave their offerings. We always saw a man called Simeon, he was righteous, devout and always helpful and kind to people. Simeon always said he was looking forward to the consolation of Israel. He normally said hello to us but today he made a bee line to a couple with a baby. I was curious and I wanted to greet him so I went up close and waited.

Simeon took the baby in his arms and praised God, and said ...‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’

I watched as the couple looked overwhelmed at what was being said about their baby, whose name was Jesus. Simeon said it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah! Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

I retreated backwards from the couple, watching in amazement, the young mother looked stunned as the baby was handed back into herarms. I turned and ran over to grandfather, all excited and tugged at his sleeve and said ... ‘grandfather! - it’s the King of glory, the King of glory ... He’s over there!’ But grandfather was preoccupiedwith our sacrifices and shooed me away. Then I ran back to the couple who had given a pair ofturtle doves for their sacrifice, just like us.

Just then the old lady, the prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher came. We saw her every year and she was always at the temple worshipping, fasting and praying night and day, helping and serving God. She was really old like 84 years old, she got married and lived with her husband for seven years but he died so she stayed unmarried after that.

She was also focussed on the baby and did not see me. She came, praising God and she spoke about the baby to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. I was so excited! We had just been talking about the King of glory... and there he was!

When our family and the baby’s family had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, we set off for home to Bethany, grandfather leading my brother Lazarus, my sister Mary and all the family. The other family said they were to return to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

As we parted ways I watched the family go their way, and wondered, if I would ever see the King of glory again?