"Blessed are those who dwell in your house”

Psalm 84
Luke 2:22-40

Pastor Tom Johnson, Feb 2, 2014

A few weeks ago, my family and I stood among the Mayan temple ruins of Chichén Itzá in the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico. The pyramid is a wondrous chronicler of the hourly, daily, and yearly course of the sun. No one is allowed to touch these buildings constructed out of limestone. No one can climb the stairs leading to the top of the pyramid or other temple and ceremonial structures—no one that is, except the iguana. The iguana have found a home among the cracks, crevices, and cavities of these 1,500 year old structures. They find sunbathed stone to heat their bodies in the cold and cool, shady stone away from the scorching sun.

The song writer who wrote Psalm 84 reminds us of even greater trespassers—the Palestinian birds who defied ceremonial law to make nests in Solomon’s temple. Like Chichén Itzá, not just any human was allowed into the temple. And even fewer people were allowed to be near the altar of the Lord. But these sparrows and swallows made their nests right next to the few Levitical priests who were allowed near the altar. They had front row, box office seats as they witnessed thanks offerings and sin offerings to the one true and living God who revealed his earthly presence in one of the ancient wonders of the world. Rather than exterminate these winged intruders, God’s people embrace them. Like Jesus who will later tell us to not worry or be anxious but simply look at the sparrows—to learn from these birds who do not farm or store their grain but are provided for by God, so the psalmist calls our attention to the life and wisdom of the sparrow.

“The sparrow has found her a house and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young, by the side of your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.” Even the birds have found refuge in the mighty fortress who is our God. They no longer are aimless sojourners seeking peace and security. They have searched far and wide. They have scoured the earth. Their final destination is the temple in Jerusalem. They have made nests for their young. They have found their sense of belonging and a hopeful place to raise up the generation after them. They have made their decision to build their lives on the solid rock and foundation of their Creator. Their journey has led them to make their home in the very place where God promised to make his home with us. And so was the journey of Simeon and of Anna—two other creatures who find their home in the God who dwells with us. It is like Noah's Ark is back to carry his creatures to salvation once again.

This time, Simeon is led by the Spirit into the temple—not to experience the presence of God merely within the walls of stone but in the flesh of the incarnated eternal Son of God—Immanuel—God with us in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth. Simeon finds his home and resting place in the Messiah and is now ready to dwell in the house of the Lord forever. He found something even more secure than refuge and nest for his young in the stone walls of the temple; he found a Temple not made by human hands but of the virgin and Holy Spirit who would give him eternal security in heaven. And so we sing the song of Simeon—we who also are privileged to take up Christ into our hands—and even into our mouths—to experience first-hand God who makes us ready to journey forward into all eternity in the forgiveness and security of God’s love:  “Lord, now you let your servant go in peace, your word has been fulfilled. My own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people.” My own hands have received God’s gift! My own mouth has tasted and seen that the Lord is good!

Like the birds who took up residence in the temple, so we are told that Anna never leaves the temple but fasts and prays day and night. And the salvation for which she prayed and fasted for those many days and nights is right before her eyes in the Christ Child. Something greater than the temple was discovered that day—Someone more accessible—Someone more inclusive. Until that day, only select Levitical priests could get near the Altar—and a few, bold and trespassing sparrows. Now we all have access to a new and better Temple—Jesus Christ.

In Jesus, we have a light to reveal God’s love to every people—to the nations—not just to the people of Israel. In Jesus, we have the fulfillment of what those sparrows and swallows so beautifully and prophetically displayed. We have a home in the One who dwells richly in us by faith. We have a room in the mansion which Jesus has prepared for us. In him, we have a secure footing and safe place to rest. We have a solid rock and foundation to raise up the next generation.