Scripture Luke 2:21-40
Whom did
Jesus have most problems with? Is that because his parents taught him that the
Jewish religion and its leaders are no good? In fact just the opposite. They
were God fearing Jews and held to Jewish law and tradition.
FIRST:
Luke 2:21-40
21 On the eighth
day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel
had given him before he had been conceived.
SECOND:
Three ceremonies are combined 40 days after Jesus is born as
they journey to the temple:
1) Mary’s post birth purification 2) Presentation of the
First Born to God 3) Dedication of First born to the Lord’s service.
22 When the
time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed,
Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is
written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the
Lord"), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in
the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons." This
offering shows they offered all proper forms of worship – yet that of the poor.
The sacrifices show how seriously Judaism takes approaching God for worship.
Approached by Simeon – Shepherds were the ‘man on the street
type’ Simeon was the ‘wise elder who walked with God type’ (In courts of
Gentiles or women as Mary is present) Though old, Simeon believed he would not
die before seeing the Lord’s Christ – the Messiah. Consider the words he says
and where he is when saying them – all in the vicinity of where the passion of
Jesus will take place some 30 years later.
25 Now there
was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was
waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had
been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had
seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.
When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of
the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss
your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have
prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and
for glory to your people Israel." Simeon is saying this in the Temple courts – in the sight of
all the people – he was giving testimony to the very present Messiah! God’s
promises are coming true in real form through God’s messiah – no longer in an
unmarked stable lying in a manger – instead being lifted up before God and his
people feet away from the Holy of holies whose veil will be torn when he dies
to make free access to all who put their trust in him.
Even
though this seems like the greatest child dedication service ever – the
prophetic words coming tell another story not yet considered: 33
The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34
Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of
many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the
thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul
too."
36 There was also a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived
with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she
was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting
and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to
God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption
of Jerusalem.
39 When Joseph and Mary had done
everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their
own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with
wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
What do we
gain from this part of the Bethlehem story – of which the only mention of
Bethlehem is leaving there? Well that is something to learn – we must leave the
baby in the manger – the reunion with family – the comfort of a little village
– for very quickly is coming the slaughter of babies by Herod, the quick exit
to Egypt the former land of slavery, growing up with the daily task of food,
work and community. This part of the story tells us one ALL IMPORTANT thing –
God in Jesus must be the center of our lives.
Jesus is the center of this story – the temple is the central location
and dedication and service to God are why the story is told.
Also; though
we learn that to see Jesus is to see God’s salvation – to see Jesus is to see
light and revelation; to see Jesus is to see what John described when he said John
1:1-5 “In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the
beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that
has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light
shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” Which
leads to the final thing we should gain. The world does not see Jesus – they
are walking around in darkness and we, who are called by Jesus “The light of
the world” must shine the light of Jesus so that according to Isaiah 9:2 “The people walking in darkness have seen a
great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has
dawned.” We are now the star of Bethlehem which moves to shine all over the
earth. This Unique Journey to Bethlehem now leads us out of Bethlehem but for
the same reason the star shone that first Christmas – to lead people directly
to the messiah king: Jesus!
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