UCC Church of Charlotte

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Sermon, December 28, 2008
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Sunday, December 28, 2008 8:48:51 AM
From:
Phil Hobson   
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To:
Phil Hobson 


Waiters
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Luke 2:22-40

Grace and Peace to you this morning.  Grace and Peace.
    
What are you waiting for?
    
Maybe we heard that as a child, standing on the end of the diving board, afraid to jump into the water.  Maybe we heard it from friends egging us on to ask that certain someone on a date.  Maybe a parent or a boss said it, wondering when a job would get done.
    
When we hear it that way, it means "get a move on!"
    
But there is another way to hear it.  What are you waiting for?  What is it that you are hoping to see?  What is it that is taking up all your time and energy and attention and focus?
    
Maybe we are waiting for someone else to "get it."  Isn't it frustrating when we see exactly how the world ought to be, exactly how things could be improved, if only "they" would do it "our" way?  It gets frustrating.  It gets tiresome, waiting for others to do better or to get better or to straighten up and fly right so my life can be better.
    
We need to be careful of such thoughts.  We can make our health, well being and happiness are dependant on the actions of others.  It is one thing to say we are in this together.  It is another entirely to say I can't be whole if you keep messing up, I can't be healed unless you straighten out.  Dependency can kill.
    
Or maybe we are waiting for THAT day.  A teenager waits for THAT day, when he can drive, or when she can date.  A student waits for THAT day, first day of summer vacation or graduation.  Or we wait for THAT day, when we retire.
    
Such "that days" are precious, but only if every day is precious.  Otherwise, "that day" can come and go and life may change, but we are no better off than we were before.  It is like riding the train waiting for the station stop that never comes.  If we aren't aware of the blessings of the journey, what good is the destination?
    
The Christmas season is a time of waiting.  We wait in the checkout line.  We wait in the line at the post office.  We wait in line to find a parking spot at the mall.  
    
And we know there are all kinds of people.  Some people wait quietly.  Some wait wordlessly, but far from silent.  We know the type: lots of heavy sighing, just to let people know it's time to get a move on.  Some take a wait in line as a time to start up a conversation with those around them.  Others act out all their frustrations, and frustration becomes contagious.
    
Our reading this morning is about two people who are waiting.  They aren't sure exactly what they are waiting for, but they will know it when they see it.
    
Simeon, a devout man on whom the Holy Spirit rested, has been promised by God that he will live to see the Lord's Messiah.
    
Anna, a prophetess, who was at the temple every day praying and fasting.
    
Here is a moment when we start to know that Luke is not just biography, but Gospel, good news.  Every time in Luke that the Holy Spirit hits, people speak.  And they speak the truth inspired by God, they prophesy.  Prophesy isn't about predicting the future.  It is about speaking what God inspires.
    
And in Biblical imagery, when two similar things are often put side by side, we are meant to use each one to understand the other.
    
So here we have Simeon, on whom the Holy Spirit rested, and Anna, a prophetess.  Those on whom the Holy Spirit rests prophesy.  Those who prophesy do so by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
    
And the word prophet gets used a number of ways in Luke.  John the baptizer is reckoned to be a prophet by some.  His father Zechariah prophesies.  Isaiah is almost always mentioned as "the prophet Isaiah."  The prophets as a group are used to mean the faithful speakers of previous generations.  But of the characters in Luke, only one is called a prophet directly, only one is named a prophet by the evangelist.  And that is Anna.  And it is clear that she is filled with the Holy Spirit.  Luke is clearly breaking the mold here, and it is Good News to those whose gifts are downplayed or ignored because of their gender.
    
But what are they waiting for?
    
The consolation of Israel.  The coming of the Lord's anointed, the Messiah, the Christ.  Redemption, not of themselves, but of the whole world.
    
And here comes this poor couple, bringing their baby to the temple to follow the customs and duties of the faithful.  We know they are poor, because it says they offer two turtle doves, or two young pigeons.  These were the right sacrifice for a child, but only if the family could not afford a lamb a year old.  It's a subtle note here, but Joseph and Mary, the ones caring for and raising Jesus, were not well off.  Of course, if they had had money, maybe there would have been room in the inn.
    
But Simeon and Anna are both waiting.  And each of them recognizes Jesus.  They are not looking for a general to lead the armies of occupied Israel into battle against the Romans.  They are not looking for a prince to restore Israel's wealth and greatness.  They just know that the Lord will do something amazing through this one.  And Simeon, this strange man whom the Holy Spirit told to go to the temple that morning, takes Jesus in his arms and speaks words that have echoed through the church ever since:

        Holy One, now let your servant go in peace.
        Your word has been fulfilled.
        My own eyes have seen your salvation,
        Which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
        A light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.
    
What are we waiting for?  The building campaign so we can get on with our church life.  Except that ministry is going on whether the roof is off the church or not, whether the ground is broken or not, whether the parsonage is up or not.
    
Are we waiting for people to straighten up and fly right?  If we are waiting for that before we do what we are called to do, we will never fulfill our calling.  We live out our faith as best we are able, whether others live up to our expectations or not.  This means lots of forgiveness.
    
Are we waiting for Jesus to be revealed.  There is something worth waiting for.  But quietly, not sullenly, not despairingly.  This kind of waiting is not passive.  It means waiting for Christ to be seen around us, and also looking for Christ within us.  It means living our faith, informed by our study of scripture, shaped by our worship and praise, inspired by the Holy Spirit, dedicated to compassionate service, and trusting in Emmanuel: God with us.
    
That is worth waiting for, and that is worthy waiting.
    
Thanks be to God.
    
Amen.