"Preacher Boy" by Blane Baker
For my eyes have seen Your salvation. (Luke 2:30 NIV)
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When I was about thirteen years old, our Student Pastor asked if I would be willing to deliver the sermon on the upcoming Student Sunday. I happily agreed and began preparing my message. With no real experience in public speaking, I modeled my sermon after the ones I had heard from our own pastor. I decided to begin with some humor and then launch into a message on salvation and how we are called to live as Christians. I prepared diligently, and by the day of the sermon I felt ready.
As I approached the pulpit, I was nervous but began my remarks with some self-deprecating humor by asking if everyone could see me as I looked over the pulpit. We all laughed, and I felt much less nervous. I continued the sermon, speaking with as much clarity and confidence as possible. Using the familiar “three-point-sermon model” I had heard many times, I emphasized our need to accept Christ as Savior. Then I focused on how we are to live as Christians, expressing love for God and our neighbor. I concluded the sermon by tying everything together, trusting that I had done my best. After the service, several folks thanked me and complimented me for my bravery. Following this experience, one guy I had known much of my life began referring to me as Preacher Boy. Even years later, he would call out “Preacher Boy” when we saw each other back home.
While my affirmation as Preacher Boy does not compare with what Jesus experienced while in the temple as a child, I felt the support of my community, and especially from my friend Roy. In our passage for today, the child Jesus is affirmed by two devout people of God, Simeon, and Anna. In the first story, a man named Simeon has been told by the Holy Spirit that he will not die before seeing the Lord. By the Spirit’s leading, Simeon goes to the temple in Jerusalem at the same time that Jesus is there to be presented. Upon seeing Jesus, Simeon takes Him in his arms and blesses God. Simeon also blesses Jesus’ family and declares he has seen God’s salvation.
Shortly thereafter, Jesus and His family encounter a woman named Anna, who is described as a prophetess and of one of advanced age. The devout Anna stays in the temple day and night, praying to God and fasting. When Anna sees Jesus, she tells all who are able to hear that their redeemer has come. Jesus’ parents are absolutely amazed by how their son is received.
These verses dramatically show that Jesus is indeed the Savior and Redeemer of our world. Christ changed the world over two thousand years ago, and He continues His redeeming work today. As we celebrate this season together, my hope is that the Redeemer will transform our lives beyond what we could ever imagine.
Blane Baker